In 2012, RSSI served over 660 households and provided over 18,000 services to our clients. Also, in 2012:
86% of clients have stabilized their medical and mental health care and have avoided hospitalization.
92% are connected with a medical or mental health care provider to help them manage their disability.
100% of clients were assessed to see if they qualify for mainstream human service program benefits.
98% of clients became stabilized in their housing.
100% of clients achieved at least two goals on the service plans.
Preliminary Supportive Housing Outreach Team Program Data
Preliminary data from the first 18 months of the SHOT program shows that clients reported a dramatic decrease in the total number of unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
Before entering the program:
Average number of lifetime hospitalizations = 63 episodes
Average total length of lifetime hospitalizations = 10.5 months
Total number of emergency room visits in the past 12 months for all clients = 223 visits
After being in the program for six months:
Total number of days in the hospital since starting the program = 54 days
Total number of emergency room visits since starting the program = 10 visits
RSSI is also showing great strides in the decrease of jail or prison time for our SHOT program participants.
Before entering the program:
Percent of clients who have spent time in jail or prison: 91.5%
Total number of nights spent in jail or prison in the past 12 months = 822 nights (17/5 nights/person).
Average age of first jail or prison stay = 21.5 years old
Average total amount of time spent in jail or prison = 42.3 months
After being in the program for six month:
Total number of days in jail or prison since starting the program = 1 night
These are the words that LaMar lives by and tells his teenage daughter.
LaMar is an intelligent man with a wonderful sense of humor who looks younger than his 60 years. He has lived a hard life and his teenage daughter has seen and experienced things no child should ever have to go through.
At the age of 23 LaMar got married and his wife introduced him to marijuana. LaMar became a heavy marijuana smoker, branched out to other drugs and was a crack addict for approximately 30 years. With the initial support of AA and NA, ridding himself of people that were part of his “addict” life, removing himself from situations that would trigger his abuse of drugs, and his strong faith in God, he finally became drug free.
LaMar was living in a shelter when he received a call from DCFS. His daughter had to leave an abusive situation in her mother’s home and LaMar needed to take care of her. The shelter did not take children and he needed to find a home. The shelter he was at contacted Renaissance Social Services (RSSI).
LaMar feels that through the grace of God and by becoming drug free he was ready to work with RSSI and take care of his daughter. According to LaMar, first you need to focus on yourself to stay clean; work on your environment and your addiction to be able to move on. For himself and his daughter plus his strong belief in God he stays drug free. LaMar credits RSSI with giving him peace of mind, security, a nice, clean two bedroom apartment and a wonderful neighborhood that he and his daughter have lived in for over two years. He feels that his case manager is more of a friend. “The more my case manager knows me, the better they can guide and assist me.” said LaMar. His health has also improved; he no longer suffers from constant headaches and high blood pressure, plus he has more energy. He feels physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.
With his fierce determination and sense of who he is the future for LaMar and his daughter looks bright and promising.
