MOBILE SUPPORT TEAM

Options for Community Living, Inc. has been awarded a $250,000 contract through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to provide residential support services to adults recovering from mental illness.

In the past, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) funded housing that provided intensive levels of supervision (community residences and apartment treatment programs) for individuals who were discharged from a hospital or who had significant histories of homelessness and other challenges. These intensive levels of housing are no longer being developed, and new OMH-funded beds in supported housing programs lack the capability for assistance that many individuals require. As a result, the Mobile Residential Support Team (MRST) was developed to assist individuals with serious mental illness and multiple challenges to successfully adjust to an independent setting and maintain supported housing residency.

Options’ MRST services include: medication management, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, vocational services, referrals and linkages, smoking cessation, wellness and self-management and more. MRST services are available in western Suffolk County to residents in OMH-funded supported housing and are coordinated with mental health and physical health care providers to achieve and maintain optimal health and independent living. An Options’ trained professional is available seven days a week to provide in-home support services as resident’s progress toward personal recovery.

“Options has developed a well-trained team to help supported housing residents maintain their individual physical and emotional health and generally improve their quality of life,” stated Yolanda Robano-Gross, executive director, Options for Community Living. “We anticipate helping between 100 and 120 people annually to retain their housing and independence through the MRST services.”

About Options for Community Living, Inc.

Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness and affordable supported housing and care coordination services for individuals and families with chronic health conditions. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 1,500 adults and children annually. The agency also runs the Options Thrift Shop, which is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Thrift Shop’s phone number is 631.676.4579. For more information about Options for Community Living, Inc., please visit the website at www.optionscl.org or call 631.361.9020.