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Transitional Resources 

Description

Transitional Resources is a licensed mental health center and residential treatment program serving individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders.  TR plays a unique and vital role in the local mental health system by serving people who would otherwise be incarcerated, hospitalized, or homeless. We serve a diverse population of men and women living in King County who come from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Our goal is to provide safe housing and mental health treatment so clients can have a successful life off the streets and outside of institutions.

Mission Statement
Transitional Resources (TR) helps adults living with the most serious and persistent forms of mental illness by providing respectful and optimistic recovery-oriented services, affordable housing and advocacy against discrimination, which works to break the cycle of incarceration, hospitalization and homelessness.
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Transitional Resources
2970 SW Avalon Way 
Seattle 
WA
98126 
(206) 883-2051 

Darcell Slovek-Walker 
Chief Executive Officer 

Programs

Transitional Resources Programs

Our supported housing and comprehensive mental health care services provide an environment conducive to recovery.  Below are descriptions of three of the six programs and services we offer:
  1. Case Management: Staff assists clients in their mental health recovery by offering practical assistance and resource advocacy. Caseloads in this program are low and support is easily accessible 7 days a week. Case managers ensure that clients in the program receive comprehensive, well-coordinated care that is easy to access, recovery oriented, and flexible to meet the needs of the individuals.  This includes regular assessment for co-occurring disorders and health issues.
  2. Supported Housing: This program provides safe, decent, and affordable housing for clients in houses and apartments in the surrounding community. Clients support each other in an independent living environment with regular contact and assistance from TR staff.
  3. Residential Treatment:  This program serves those with the most serious and persistent mental illnesses. Residents maintain a cooperatively run household and are encouraged to seek employment, volunteer, or educational opportunities through our vocational program.   .

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

For over 30 years, TR has been known for success in recovery from severe mental illness.  Our most recent success is establishing our new low-income housing project, Avalon Place, which is part of TR’s Supported Housing Program and the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.  This mixed-use building, which opens in July, 2011, includes 16 studio apartments that will provide a safe, permanent home to adults with severe mental illness or co-occurring disorders who are currently managing their mental health issues while living on the streets or in area shelters.  These men and women are high utilizers of the mental health system, inpatient facilities, emergency services, or the criminal justice system.  It is far less expensive to provide housing and services in the community for these men and women than it is to provide emergency response services – and it is much more humane. People are more responsive to mental health treatment and social services once they have experienced the safety and stability of permanent housing.      

TR has a need for implementing an electronic health records (EHR) system, which would allow our case managers to coordinate with other health care providers to offer our clients the most comprehensive care possible.  More and more of the men and women we serve are experiencing chronic health issues, in addition to their mental illness.  While we make it a priority to ensure that every client receives basic health care and medical treatment as needed, coordinating care with other health care providers is challenging without the aid of electronic health records.  EHR would allow us to integrate mental health into primary care while reducing errors, protecting patient privacy, maintaining accuracy, and enabling rapid and remote access.  

Evaluation


Transitional Resources plays a unique role in the continuum of services for mentally ill adults in King County. TR fills a unique niche in serving a population that would likely otherwise be incarcerated, hospitalized, or homeless; in many cases, these mentally ill adults are faced with the highest level of need.

Best Practices
A peer counselor, who is themselves in recovery, works 25 hours/week supporting TR residents. This has been a best practice for the past 25 years. The fully staff residential facility also serves as a drop in center for any TR client in need of support, medication assistance, or companionship. The organization focuses on progression and independence as core values in serving its clients. Proximity of independent housing to the main office is a high priority, which helps to keep clients connected to their community, even after they move out.

Financial Health
Transitional Resources has experienced recent cuts in non-medical funding. TR has hired a consultant to help with the development of a fundraising plan, including board training. The organization is increasing efficiencies at all levels of operation, including partnering with NAVOS to implement an electronic health records system. Jesuit Volunteer Corps and Lutheran Volunteer Corps members function as staff members but at a fraction of the price, while gaining valuable skills in the mental health field.

Proven Success
Establishment of Avalon Place, a program of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. TR has been able to secure a number of apartment buildings in the neighborhood surrounding their central office. These supported housing units are far enough away to promote independence, but close enough to offer residents full access to 24/7 support and services. All caseload sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure that client needs are being met. Case managers are available for crisis intervention at all times, reducing the need for costly hospitalizations.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
12/10/2011 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/5/2006 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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