DERAILED: MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOUSING RETENTIONJohn Turner, Housing Coordinator, Region V Systems

Kristin Nelson, Emergency Services Director, Region V Systems

Region V Systems Housing Coordination

Brief History of Regional Housing Coordination John Turner - Housing Coordinator since 2005 Almost 2,000 consumers served and over 650

landlord contracts signed in a 16 county coverage area

Target Population is consumers with extremely low incomes who have been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness

Where does funding come from? Documentary Stamp Tax Affordable Housing Trust Fund State Housing Related Assistance Program

Regional Housing Coordinators

Region Coordinator Contact Information Phone & Email

Region 1

David JonesRegional Housing Program Coordinator18 West 16th StreetScottsbluff, NE 69361

David Jonesdjones@pmhc.net308-632-4412, ext. 2183

Region 2

Jeannette KrajewskiWest Central Nebraska Joint Housing AuthorityPO Box 599Ogallala, NE 69153

308-284-6078jkrajewski@wcndd.org

Region 3

Suzanne DavisRegional Housing Program CoordinatorRegion 3 Behavioral Health ServicesPO Box 2555Kearney, NE 68848-2555

308-237-5113, ext. 243sdavis@region3.net

Region 4

Matthew NykodymRegional Housing CoordinatorRegion IV Behavioral Health Systems206 Monroe AvenueNorfolk, NE 68701   

402-316-1780, ext. 115mnykodym@region4bhs.org

Region 5 

John TurnerHousing SpecialistRegion V Systems1645 N Street Suite ALincoln, NE 68508

402-441-4360Jturner@region5systems.net

Region 6

Jennifer DetermanRegional Housing CoordinatorRegion 6 Behavioral Health Services3801 Harney StreetOmaha, NE 68131

402-444-7718jdeterman@regionsix.com

Region V SystemsHousing Coordination

Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Modeled after Section 8 Transition to Permanent Housing Urban and Rural – 16 counties Expansion - RAP Substance Dependence

(RAP SD) RAP SD is in Lincoln ONLY HUD Funding Continuum Of Care

Region V SystemsHousing Coordination

Rural Permanent Housing Program HUD Balance of State Continuum of Care 20 counties (added four counties)

Director of Emergency ServicesSo what do you do?

Kristin Nelson, LCSW, LIMHP Worked in behavioral health for 20 years

My Top Priorities: To organize, coordinate, and evaluate the

regional behavioral health emergency services system

To bring together key stakeholders to address ongoing gaps and increase system outcomes

Training BETA, MHFA, 101 Trainings on System, Outreach

Mental Health Emergency

A mental health emergency is a life threatening situation in which an individual is imminently threatening harm to self or others, severely disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a severe inability to function, or is otherwise distraught and out of control.

Mental Health Emergency (cont) Examples of a Mental Health

Emergency include: Acting on a suicide threat Homicidal or threatening behavior Self-injury needing immediate medical

attention Severely impaired by drugs or alcohol Highly erratic or unusual behavior that

indicates very unpredictable behavior and/or an inability to care for themselves.

Nebraska MH Commitment Act

A law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is mentally ill and dangerous or a dangerous sex offender and that the harm described in section 71-908 or subdivision (1) of section 83-174.01 is likely to occur before mental health board proceedings under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act or the Sex Offender Commitment Act may be initiated to obtain custody of the person may take such person into emergency protective custody, cause him or her to be taken into emergency protective custody, or continue his or her custody if he or she is already in custody.

Region V Emergency System

Teamwork is essential

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Cases

Solutions

Introduce yourself

Use a triangular approach

State why you are there

Only one person should interact with the person

Acknowledge they may be overwhelmed by delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations and fearful

Comply with requests unless they are unsafe or unreasonable

If acting erratically, but not directly threatening, allow them time to calm down

Solutions continued

Be honest -- Getting caught in a well-intentioned deception will only increase their fear and suspicion of you

Continually assess the situation Remove anything or anyone that is disturbing the

individual Maintain adequate space between you and them Determine whether they have a family member, guardian,

or mental health provider who helps them (ask if an Advance Directive exists for the person in crisis)

Remember that a person with mental illness has the same rights to fair treatment and legal protection as anyone else

Solutions continued

Do not touch the person until you are ready to take him/her into custody

Avoid direct eye contact Avoid sudden or rapid movements Avoid whispering or joking, this will only increase the

person’s suspiciousness Don’t make promises you cannot keep Deceiving the person will increase fear and suspicion Keep your voice low, calm, and slow so they can process

your commands Don’t challenge or argue with them about their delusions

and don’t take them personally Call the police if needed

The Moral to the Story

Teamwork Communication Mental illness does not equal

dangerousness. People can and do recover with the right kind of support. Your efforts to recognize behaviors and speak up when you have concerns can be a tremendous help in the recovery process.

Contact Information

John Turner jturner@region5systems.net

Kristin Nelson knelson@region5systems.net

Questions?