O. A. S. I. S.

1. O. A. S. I. S. November 15, 2006 FSP Presentation The OASIS Program, College Community Services is supported by the Orange County Health Care Agency and is a MHSA Full Service Partnership

2. WHAT IS OUR TARGET POPULATION? Older Adults, age 60 and over, (cap of 125 consumers) are homeless and/or at risk of being homeless unserved and underserved have a persistent chronic mental illness and reside in Orange County

3. WHO IS ON OUR TEAM? OASIS Interdisciplinary Team Regional Director Program Director Geriatric Psychiatrist Geriatric Pharmacist Nurse Practitioner Licensed Psychiatric Technician Personal Service Coordinators (PSCs) Geriatric Educator Life Coaches Office Manager and Office Support

4. WHAT ARE OUR SERVICES? Evaluation & Assessment Medication Management Assessment Employment Assistance & Training Intensive Case Management Nursing/Health Education Individualized Treatment Planning Referrals to Primary Care Substance Abuse Services Mental Health Services Crisis Intervention Psychiatric Assessment & Treatment Family Support & Education Housing & Transportation Assistance

5. WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT BUILDING OUR TEAM? Lack of structure Provide regular training sessions to staff Provide team-building activities Identify individual strengths Lack of Structure but at the same time, not effective to impose rigid rules….it’s a balancing act Some of the team members really want structure based on previous work environments, even with my own wk hx in a hospital environment- often look for some book of regulations. We still don’t have our sign for the front door. It took us forever to get printed brochures. Frustration ~ no phone line, operating a business with cell phones in the beginning;; boxes everywhere; no formula on dealing with consumers; staff lacked the tools to do their job; not enough services available; had to remind ourselves that there were reasons that our population’s needs had not been addressed by the non-traditional mental health system; Not knowing our population, didn’t have another agency to consult with to talk about the homeless. In the beginning, we bought tubs of mylanta & tums, large bottles of shampoo; which creates hardships for our consumers who carry most of their belongins in a shopping cart; we bought the wrong size clothes, the wrong food, salty, sweet, even Spam,….not good for our aging diabetics with hypertension, and other medical ailments. BUT We do have granola bar. When we were robbed, we were actually glad that they took our cigarettes…..so then we had to have an alarm system. Team-building is necessary ~ building a “new” team with “new” staff in a “new” program with “new” funding CAN be exciting and challenging; Identifying each team member’s strengths/skills; Celebrating birthdays with a pot luck 1x/mo Developed an “a –ha” book to have available during our team mtgs to record our insignts/lessons learned Lack of Structure but at the same time, not effective to impose rigid rules….it’s a balancing act Some of the team members really want structure based on previous work environments, even with my own wk hx in a hospital environment- often look for some book of regulations. We still don’t have our sign for the front door. It took us forever to get printed brochures. Frustration ~ no phone line, operating a business with cell phones in the beginning;; boxes everywhere; no formula on dealing with consumers; staff lacked the tools to do their job; not enough services available; had to remind ourselves that there were reasons that our population’s needs had not been addressed by the non-traditional mental health system; Not knowing our population, didn’t have another agency to consult with to talk about the homeless. In the beginning, we bought tubs of mylanta & tums, large bottles of shampoo; which creates hardships for our consumers who carry most of their belongins in a shopping cart; we bought the wrong size clothes, the wrong food, salty, sweet, even Spam,….not good for our aging diabetics with hypertension, and other medical ailments. BUT We do have granola bar. When we were robbed, we were actually glad that they took our cigarettes…..so then we had to have an alarm system. Team-building is necessary ~ building a “new” team with “new” staff in a “new” program with “new” funding CAN be exciting and challenging; Identifying each team member’s strengths/skills; Celebrating birthdays with a pot luck 1x/mo Developed an “a –ha” book to have available during our team mtgs to record our insignts/lessons learned

6. WHAT APPROACH DO WE USE? Recovery and Wellness Model Assertive Outreach/Engagement Motivational Interventions

7. WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED WITH OUR CONSUMERS? Difficult situations require creative solutions One stigma is problematic, they face three (3) different stigmas Previous medical treatment is unknown & fragmented Sub-culture exist within the homeless community, with their own networks Assessment may require several times over several weeks/months before engagement ~ Not all potential clients want to enroll in the program Vital records are absent delaying or obtaining benefits There is no formula ~ our consumers have unique needs They face three (3) different stigmas Not looking for charity Not necessarily glad to see us, especially if we’re dressed in a suit Previous medical treatment unknown & fragmented Sub-culture exist within the homeless community, with their own networks Storage unit more important than shelter Assessment may require several times over several weeks/months before engagement ~ Not all homeless want to enroll in the program Vital records are absent delaying or obtaining benefits Distrustful of the “Establishment” There is no formula ~ our consumers have unique needs They face three (3) different stigmas Not looking for charity Not necessarily glad to see us, especially if we’re dressed in a suit Previous medical treatment unknown & fragmented Sub-culture exist within the homeless community, with their own networks Storage unit more important than shelter Assessment may require several times over several weeks/months before engagement ~ Not all homeless want to enroll in the program Vital records are absent delaying or obtaining benefits Distrustful of the “Establishment”

8. WHERE ARE WE LOCATED? OASIS 1900 East La Palma, Suite 101 Anaheim, CA 92805 Referral Line 714-399-3480 Contacts: Colleen Cassidy, L.C.S.W., Program Director ccassidy@provcorp.com Shearly Chambless, L.C.S.W., Geriatric Educator schambless@provcorp.com