(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Hancock County’s “low barrier” housing project is moving forward and starting to count successes in assisting those who face substance use disorders while experiencing homelessness.

Kathryn Bausman, director of the City Mission of Findlay, said “Project HOME” has assisted individuals who would not have otherwise qualified for services through the Mission.

“Through the City Mission’s outreach team, we have been able to refer numerous people to agencies to receive services for mental health, substance use disorder, and medical health services,” she said.

Project HOME is a collaborative effort to meet the needs of those in our community who are in crisis, including those experiencing homelessness, where they are, and offer them safety, resources, relationships, and time, according to Bausman.

A grant was awarded in 2024 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services to implement Project HOME (Housing, Outreach, and Meaningful Engagement).

The project supports young adults (18-24 years old), LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and other community members in need. These are priority subpopulations within the target populations of individuals and families with mental health and/or substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness. The grant allows the establishment of a 7-day-a-week low-barrier shelter to address the gap in much-needed services.

Bausman said the City Mission’s Life Recovery Program has requirements and expectations. The low-barrier shelter is a place to start engaging with agencies and services that have very few barriers, requirements, and expectations, the focus is on connection and building trust

Project HOME expands and enhances the local implementation of community infrastructure that integrates behavioral health treatment, peer support, recovery support services, and links to provide sustainable permanent housing.

“City Mission collaborates with a variety of agencies offering services to those in crisis, and that collaboration extends to those guests who are receiving help through Project HOME,” Bausman said. “Our collaboration with the health department has allowed us to refer low-barrier guests to the mobile health clinic for medical evaluations.”

The Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio (FRC) is also a primary partner in the Project HOME initiative. As the lead behavioral health agency in the collaboration, FRC provides on-site clinical support and outreach at the shelter. A behavioral health case manager is stationed at the shelter to provide mental health and substance use screenings, referrals, and warm handoffs to treatment and recovery support services.

“Having a clinical presence on site at the low-barrier shelter is key to making timely connections with individuals who are often falling through the cracks,” said Jacklyn Ragsdale, Project Coordinator at Family Resource Center. “Each morning, Monday through Friday, our behavioral health case manager is available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to meet with guests, provide assessments, and offer warm handoffs to treatment, housing, and recovery supports. The ability to provide services right where people are staying removes a significant barrier and makes recovery feel more possible.”

Anyone in need of shelter is welcome to visit the City Mission from 8 pm to 8 am to access a safe place to sleep and a warm meal. Individuals can contact the Mission’s front desk (419-423-9151) if they wish to refer someone to the low-barrier shelter or if they wish to access the low-barrier shelter.

No one is turned away based on factors such as substance use, mental health issues, or lack of identification. Bausman said the focus is on providing immediate assistance and a safe place to stay, without judgment or discrimination.

Since the end of January, 29 people have received direct services through Project HOME. One of the program’s targets is to serve 280 people through both direct and indirect services over five years.

Bausman said the long-term goals of Project Home are straightforward: to offer hope where there was none and to achieve that by creating safe spaces, addressing food insecurity, and providing people with dignity and opportunities.

“I believe that Project HOME, or the heart behind it, will continue to be a part of this community,” she said.

(By Steve Dillon with Hancock County ADAMHS)