Angels in Motion: Mobile Crisis Assistance

Program Description

The mission of AIM, which is founded on a harm reduction and the Recovery Oriented System of Care models, is changing the way those suffering with the disease of addiction are treated, one life at a time. Since 2015 the organization has reached out to persons suffering from addiction by helping them get into treatment and providing recovery support. AIM assists with helping people with housing, obtaining identification in order to get into treatment, stay in treatment, find employment and transportation to detox facilities, recovery houses, treatment centers. We also help provide clothing and personal items to people living on the streets/new to recovery and recovery support after formal treatment has ended. AIM also provides monthly support and educational meetings for family members of those suffering from the disease of addiction. Seven of our volunteers are Certified Recovery Specialist or Certified Peer Specialists with a specialty in addiction.

Creativity

Linkage is key to AIM. We partner with addiction service providers and funders; Prevention Point, Miracles In Progress, Pathways to Housing, Calcutta House, Dawn’s Court/ PRO-ACT /the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Philadelphia’s Behavioral Health Special Services Initiative/Community Behavioral Health/Neighborhood Housing Service/Parole Department/District Attorney‘s Office -We are linking those in early recovery with resources/ we are bridging the gaps -We educate/support the loved ones -When an individual leaves detox/treatment with no housing, we assist them with finding housing -Drive people to locations that will provide official identification and provide payment for ID’s -Drive individuals in need to detox/treatment -Working with insurance companies to get people into treatment -Working with families and friends of individuals in active addiction and in recovery -Work with individuals in recovery on their recovery plans -Stay in their lives, support, educate, love and listen

Leadership

The AIM leadership is on the ground working with clients on a regular basis. The leadership also holds regular meetings with the provider community in order to ensure that it understands how to access services and link those in need. AIM leadership meets with its volunteers to train them in the approaches which would lead to placement of those in need and remove placement barriers. AIM leadership receives feedback from providers and its volunteers in order to adjust training and methods to linking its clients to providers.

Sustainability

In the past year AIM has applied and received its 501c3 from the federal government. Each year we have increased the agency’s ability to raise funds through its individual donors and fund raising events. AIM is currently in the process of applying for grant dollars to assist in its mission of providing warm Hand-off to those individuals in need of drug and alcohol rehabilitation. We anticipate funds from a government or private source to provide ongoing support to the clients we serve.

Replicability

What gets often missed when people are seeking treatment for drug and alcohol services is the fact that most people are confused about the process, need transpiration, need intervention with insurance companies and providers and need moral support. AM’s programs provide all of the above and so it with volunteers who are trained in the community to understand the needs of those in addiction and how to link them to services. Its intervention can be duplicated by others.

Results/Outcomes

Aim will provide services to 1,000 persons struggling with addiction with linkage to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. Each person will be transported to the center, have a trained volunteer sit with them to navigate the system and advocate for the client. 1,000 persons needing assistance with obtaining State identification programs will receive assistance with obtaining the identification.