Residential Services
Semi-Independent and Transitional Housing
Semi-Independent Residential Supports provide comprehensive rehabilitative services to residents participating in this transitional housing program for a duration of 12 to 24 months. Each of these supports provide treatment alternatives for those individuals who have been diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, who may also have a co-occurring addictive disease and/or developmental disability, and who would otherwise be in acute and long-term hospitals or other institutional settings, including jails, or for those individuals experience homelessness who need additional support to be successful in maintaining a home in the community due to severity and seriousness of their mental illness.
Independent Residential and Permanent Supportive Housing
We utilize a “Shelter + Care” approach to provide supportive independent style living within scattered apartment units throughout Athens and the greater Northeast Georgia region. Program participants are individuals who have experienced literal homelessness and have demonstrated the ability to live independently. Individuals receive services to meet identified needs including case management and psychosocial rehabilitation and outpatient services through Advantage.
Housing Support Program
We provide a team of Housing Support Specialists who work directly with the Georgia Housing Voucher Program and the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure that active voucher recipients maintain residential stability and have ready access to treatment and supportive services based upon demonstrated need. This team provide in home support services and case management as well as service and housing coordination with local landlords and property management companies participating in the voucher program.
Forensic Residential Program
This program services individuals transitioning from state hospitals who may have been found incompetent to stand trial or determined Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity and have been living on a Forensics unit of a state hospital or in a Forensic group home. The goal of FRESH Start is to assist clients in adjusting to living in the community and learning skills needed for independent living (self-administration of medication, hygiene, nutrition, household tasks, etc.). Clients will also be linked to community resources that address client’s individual needs and to employment or a form of income, if not already secured.
Short-term Crisis Respite Program:
The service offers crisis respite for an individual who needs a supportive environment (1) when transitioning back into the community from a psychiatric inpatient facility, Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), or 23 hour observation area; or 2) when preventing an admission or readmission into a psychiatric inpatient facility, CSU, or 23 hour observation area and can be safely served in a voluntary community-based setting. Duration of stay averages 30 to 60 days depending upon the progress each participant has made toward their residential stability. Services include: individualized engagement, crisis planning, linkage to treatment and other community resources necessary for the individual to safely reside in the community, and transportation assistance when needed to access appropriate levels of care.
Supported Employment Program
Supported Employment (SE) – Behavioral Health
Our Supported Employment program assists clients in preparing for, obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. SE is available to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Currently receiving services from Advantage
- Desire to obtain a job
Individual services are also available to facilitate job readiness.
Supported Employment follows the IPS Model (Individual Placement and Support. Supportive Employment is an evidence-based practice of supported employment for adults with severe mental illness. They are integrated with mental health treatment. This means that the Employment Specialists coordinate plans with case managers, therapists, other community providers like Vocational Rehabilitation, etc. Job search starts soon after a consumer expresses interest in working. Practices zero exclusions which mean all clients interested in working have access to supported employment services regardless of job readiness factors, substance abuse, symptoms, history of violent behavior, cognition impairments, treatment non-adherence, and personal presentation.