Interim Care Program Expansion |  | 
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In response to the special needs of the homeless, our hospitals have been actively engaged in the Interim Care Program (ICP) for many years. This innovative program, managed by The Effort, provides temporary respite and recovery for homeless patients who are well enough to be discharged from the hospital, but have no home, financial, family or other means of support.
Program participants are provided a clean and safe environment at the Salvation Army's Center of Hope for up to six weeks or longer if needed. While there they receive mental health care and substance abuse treatment if needed and case management and social service support to enroll in health insurance, find a medical home, and be placed in housing.
The program successfully helps transition participants to healthy and self-sustaining life styles. Of the nearly 600 homeless individuals that have participated to date:
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65% have successfully completed the program, with no returns to an emergency department
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100% have been enrolled in health insurance programs
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80% have received substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling
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77% have been discharged into a permanent housing program
In 2010, a 5-bed Mercy unit was opened at the Salvation Army in response to the need for more beds to accommodate the growing number of homeless individuals in the region. In addition to the existing social support services offered, the unit also provides full-time skilled nursing and a 24-hour patient advocate. |
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