2022 COMBAT Funding: $96,835.00

In Restart's Own Words

The program serves clients in reStart’s shelter. reStart, Inc. is a low-barrier shelter welcoming people of every gender identity, race, HIV status, ex-offenders, people with active mental health and substance abuse disorders, and family definition.

70% Of All Clients Have Substance Use Disorders

Seventy percent of reStart’s clients have substance abuse disorders and 90% have comorbid mental health issues; 88% are unemployed; 74% are uninsured; and 40% fit the Department of Housing and Urban Development's definition of chronic homelessness.

Eighteen percent of Adult Emergency Shelter clients have been victims of domestic violence. All (100%) of reStart’s clients live below the poverty level. 

All Clients Screened

reStart, Inc. clients are screened for issues of substance abuse as part of the intake process into our emergency and transitional programs for adults, youth and families. During intake, staff refer clients identified for substance abuse to reStart’s Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator for a clinical substance abuse assessment, which includes an initial drug screening and test.

Clients assessed as needing treatment and who agree to engage in treatment will work with the coordinator to develop a treatment plan. Once the plan has been created, the Coordinator works with the client to identify appropriate providers in the community and assists the client in establishing a relationship with a provider that is the “right fit” to provide effective counseling and treatment (e.g. evening appointments, medication support, etc.).

Once the client is engaged in treatment, the Coordinator works with the client to maintain their schedule, follow through with appointments, establish and reach additional goals. The Coordinator works with the client and case manager to track treatment retention, employment goals, life skills and permanent housing goals.   

Treatment Extends Past Time In Shelter

By providing a Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator as part of the Substance Abuse Treatment Program, reStart can support clients in receiving treatment for their substance abuse that sustains past their time in shelter programs. The Coordinator provides a key element in moving from instability to stability, and acts as a vital conduit to establishing a healthy connection to community resources outside the agency that ensure the success of treatment and retention beyond their time at reStart, Inc. 

From Instability To Stability

Individuals experiencing homelessness are in a state of transition. By entering reStart, Inc. the clients begin the transformation from instability to stability. The vision for the Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator is to connect a client experiencing substance abuse issues to a network of providers in the community that will be part of the client’s post-shelter recovery program.

By having a coordinator focused on recovery, the client has an ally in committing to their treatment plan, maintaining continuity in services, addressing barriers to treatment such as employment, transportation, cost, etc. The Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator will be a vital conduit in helping clients establish relationships, connections to resources, and maintaining commitment to their on-going treatment and recovery. 

A full-time Qualified Mental Health Professional from Truman Behavioral Health works with reStart, Inc.’s therapists, case managers and the Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator to provide integrated services for clients suffering from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues.   

The Substance Abuse Treatment Program supports recovery through the following services and activities: 

• Creation of treatment plans by Substance Abuse Treatment Coordinator and client 
• Drug and alcohol education classes for individuals and groups focused on helping clients understand substance abuse as a disease, teaching clients how to identify triggers and to prevent relapse, and to address related social, health, or mental health challenges
• Individual and group substance abuse counseling 
• Life skills and enrichment programming 
• Recovery awareness, relapse prevention, and 12-step groups
• Strengths-based case management focused on helping clients take actionable steps towards sustaining recovery and self-sufficiency, including obtaining permanent housing and finding and keeping employment 
• Referral for intensive or ongoing treatment as needed