SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Y-Haven launches new partnership for formerly incarcerated men

Roberto Nieves, Y-Haven Education and Vocational Specialist, works on computer skills with Y-Haven client George B.

A distinct partnership between the Y, the Center for Families and Children, Cuyahoga County’s Office of Re-entry and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority has resulted in a new program for formerly incarcerated men.

The Open Door program offers individuals comprehensive case management, transitional housing and permanent housing placement with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, said Janet Schneider, Director of Operations for Y-Haven.

The Open Door program also provides the necessary wrap-around services in a safe housing unit. The Open Door Program was developed by Y-Haven, which assists homeless men, 18 years and older, to become self-sufficient and live free from drugs and alcohol.

Y-Haven provides transitional housing, recovery services, treatment for mental illness, educational training, vocational services and assistance with permanent housing placement. Y-Haven has the capacity to serve 133 homeless men.

While residents may be self-referred, most of the referrals come from the 2100 Lakeside Emergency Shelter. Y-Haven offers a continuum of care beginning with primary treatment for drug/alcohol dependency. When residents graduate from the primary counseling phase, their case managers focus their treatment plan on continuing care, relapse prevention, and appropriate education and training programs.

Speaking to two fellow Y-Haven clients is Mark M.

When residents complete necessary trainings they are placed in jobs or sheltered workshops. The final phase of the treatment plan is finding suitable permanent housing for our residents.

The Y-Haven program received HUD’s 2005 Award of Excellence and HUD’s 1993 Outstanding Performance Award for recognition of innovative use of Community Development Block Grant funds. Since 1993, Y-Haven has admitted 2,500 residents, and over 1,500 have successfully completed the program.

Y-Haven’s high supervision ratio of 13:1 contributes greatly to the program’s effectiveness and continued success. The Y-Haven program is certified biannually by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (ODADAS).

All Y-Haven staff are licensed by the State of Ohio to provide treatment services. It is free and open to men with no income. Last year, Schneider said, 159 men entered Y-Haven’s residential program and an astounding 86 percent graduated from the 90- day primary treatment phase. One hundred percent of those with a mental health diagnosis or dual diagnosis received voluntary mental health treatment within one month.

According to Schneider, 113 men secured permanent housing as a result of the work of the program. Y-Haven also has a a custodial employment training and placement program, the Green Team Custodial program, which began in 2006.

The Green Team, which consists of a ten week hands-on, comprehensive instructional program that teaches janitorial and floor technician skills. Persons served are assisted to locate work after completion of the program. The Green Team is being recognized as a very valuable service by many community corporations, civic leaders and the city at large. In 2010 40 men and women successfully graduated from the Green Team program, which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

CARF assists service providers in improving the quality of services, demonstrating value, and meeting internationally recognized organizational and program standards.