PROJECT STRAIT FOR VETERANS LTD

ABSTRACTProject STRAIT is an acronym for Short Term Residential And Intensive Treatment program. We are a new comprehensive program serving veterans with moderate to very severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Substance Related Disorders and other combat linked emotional conditions. Sadly, many of these veterans are too ill and incapacitated to register or participate in federal, state or local support programs – resulting far too often in a homeless lifestyle of hunger, desperation and hopelessness. They “fall through the cracks” in a system set up to provide for their care. A system that is so overloaded by need that nobody comes looking for those who have fallen. These are our forgotten heroes, disregarded casualties of war, literally Missing in Action in America.Project STRAIT forms a safety net for veterans by providing intensive community-based mental health and wraparound services (supported housing, clothing, and food) to both male and female veterans and their families. Project STRAIT services address mental health needs and reintroduce returning veterans back into society by teaching practical realistic needs such as finding decent housing, acquiring resources, managing money, utilizing transportation systems, utilizing government services (the VA, Medicaid), maintaining good hygiene, addressing medical and dental needs, self-management of medications, finding employment and housing. As veterans stabilize and graduate from the 6 to 9 month program, they are placed with the VA or less intensive treatment organizations which assures continuity of care and reduces the risk of emotional decompensation and recidivism.OUR VISIONTo increase awareness and encourage non-government services for the needs of veterans of the United States Armed Forces living with very severe invisible wounds of war – severe PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), substance related and other combat linked emotional issues.OUR MISSIONProvide transitional mental health, behavioral and life skills services which enhance the ability of people with mental illness, substance related and co-occurring disorders to live and thrive in their community, and do so with compassion, respect, excellence and integrity. Reduce homelessness, hunger and desperation by providing community-based services and programs that are genuine alternative resources for veterans and their families, caregivers, community, government and other stakeholders. Restore individual clients to their highest possible functional level, reduce the occurrence of psychiatric illness symptoms, and assist clients to identify barriers that impede development of skills necessary for independent stable functioning within their family and in their community.