Innovative housing, treatment, and psychiatric services for homeless individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness at risk of court-involvement with a focus on competency clients on Colorado's Western Slope

Welcome

A Special Place Corporation, a Colorado-based 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, was established to address the fundamental health-related socials needs, including housing, transportation, food, physical health, and mental health, of homeless individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness from across the state of Colorado as well those identified as high-risk due to human trafficking and/or domestic violence.

A special focus has been placed on individuals whose competency to stand trial (CST) has been raised by a member of the court system and having been deemed incompetent to proceed (ITP). Due to the increased number of such cases, these individuals are languishing in jails while presenting a significant strain on taxpayers, the legal system, and law enforcement.

Our goal at A Special Place is to work in an innovative and collaborative manner with the following entities to address the health, wellness, treatment, and restoration of these individuals:

Colorado Judicial Branch, Judicial Districts, local law enforcement agencies
Colorado Department of Human Service's Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health including Forensic Navigators, Restoration Educators, and Bridges Court Liaisons
Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Jail Based Behavioral Health Services
outpatient mental health providers, such as prescribers and therapists; outpatient providers, such as medical, dental, and vision; case management and nursing team members

A Special Place will strive to identify homeless individuals with serious mental illness at risk of court-involvement and initiate Permanent Supportive Housing with intensive community-based case management, nursing-level care, and behavioral health services.

"Our criminal justice system has become the de facto mental health system in America."

(Judge Steven Leifman, 2024 NEI Synapse)

what makes "a special place" innovative

A Special Place offers:

The capacity of approximately 50 participants including males/females/gender fluid individuals
Onsite evidence-based behavioral health services, medication assisted treatment (MAT) substance use treatment, individual and group psychotherapy, high-intensity case management, nursing services, and transportation to court appearances and appointments related to medical/social determinants of health needs
24/7 supervision of participants
Safe Haven housing for human trafficking victims and/or domestic violence
Emergency housing for at-risk individuals facing medical issues
Community-based programming for participants
Resources such as supplemental clothing, self-care items, and food is provided as needed to participants
Criminally-involved individuals in need of electronic monitoring can be accommodated
Acuity level of participants is screened prior to admission with the referring agency with potential for higher acuity individuals accepted on a case-by-case basis
As participants are restored in their competency proceedings, our staff may continue with wraparound services if desired
Starting April of 2025: outpatient restoration education will be available for those in need of services

strategic plan: housing

A Special Place now has three supportive housing facilities within Mesa County, Colorado:

a 10-bed location for males
a 16-bed location for females and gender-fluid individuals
a 20-bed location for males

Further expansion is contingent upon grant funding and community support. Collaboration with community partners is ongoing to best meet the needs of identified competency patients and homeless individuals with serious mental illness at risk of court involvement. Long term sustainability is paramount with a goal of a single-site multi-population capital build or building acquisition to further meet the needs of individuals on the Western Slope of Colorado.

strategic plan: jobs

A Special Place is dedicated to restoration of those diagnosed with serious mental illnesses with eventual placement in employment positions designed to encourage success, self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life.

strategic plan: reform

A Special Place is dedicated to spearheading efforts to increase awareness and collaboration among the State of Colorado's Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches through education, budget initiatives, policy development, and legislation with a goal of addressing the root cause of serious mental illness and criminal involvement, diversion of those with psychotic disorders who has been deemed ITP, and directing the millions of dollars spent in incarceration into treatment and restoration.

timeline

Current: Closed for referrals at this time

August 1, 2024: Acquisition of first rental home, "Lori's House" on Grand Avenue in Grand Junction, CO

September 19, 2024: Acquisition of second rental home, "Ginny's House" on Walnut Avenue in Grand Junction, CO

December 30, 2024: Acquisition of third rental home, "Rene's House" on Bookcliff Avenue in Grand Junction, CO

Year End 2024: Seek grant funding for acquisition or capital build for single-site, multi-population facility

2025: Plan of ongoing assessment of housing needs, capacity, and referrals while addressing long-term sustainability

statistics from dates 08/01/24-10/25/24

Number of Referrals: 65

Placed Referrals: 26

Referrals Placed in Assisted Living Facilities Post-Stabilization: 2

Referrals Re-Incarcerated: 1

Percentage of Participants using Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics (when applicable): 100%

Percentage of Participants using Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (when applicable): 100%

Percentage of Participants with access to Harm Reduction: 100%

Reduction in Emergency Department (ED) visits

Reduction in Mental Health Hospitalizations

Reduction in Incarceration rates among our participants

Increase in compliance with court appearances

Number of participants with employment: 3

All participants are automatically referred to the following services: Long Term Care Medicaid, SSDI/SSI, Food Stamps, Housing, Primary Care Provider, Case Management, Psychiatric Medication Management, Psychotherapy, Identity Documents, Food Box Delivery

Referral Sources: Bridges, Eagle County Sheriff's Office, Mesa County Sheriff's Office, 21st Judicial District Public Defenders Office, Center For Independence, The Joseph Center, Homeward Bound, Catholic Outreach, Colorado Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health, Department of Corrections, Colorado Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel

Community Partners: Rocky Mountain Health Plans United Healthcare, Mutual Aid Partners, United Way, Grand Junction Housing, Hilltop, Community Food Bank of the Rockies, Grand Valley Peace and Justice, New-Eyes Program, First Light Home Care, Habitat for Humanity, The Arc, QHN/CRN, Colorado Health Network