GRASSROOTS CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTER CENTER INC

EMERGENCY SHELTER: THE 33-BED FAMILY SHELTER AND 18-BED MEN'S SHELTER PROVIDES EMERGENCY HOUSING TO FAMILIES AND SINGLE ADULTS WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING RESIDENTS PERMANENTLY RESOLVE THEIR HOUSING CRISIS. EACH RESIDENT DEVELOPS A PLAN WHICH ADDRESSES THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS AND CHALLENGES. MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STAY IS 6 MONTHS AND IS DEPENDENT ON THE RESIDENT'S CONTINUED PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE IDENTIFIED GOALS. COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS TREATMENT, IN-HOUSE EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND PARENTING PROGRAMS, VOLUNTARY SAVINGS AND DEBT MANAGEMENT, HEALTH SERVICES, ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY FOR ELIGIBLE PERSONS, AND ASSISTANCE LOCATING PERMANENT HOUSING. TRANSPORTATION AND LIMITED FINANCIAL SUPPORT ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. STAFFING INCLUDES CASE MANAGERS, RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANTS, DRIVERS AND KITCHEN STAFF. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH MEALS, MENTORING, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, TUTORING AND FUNDRAISING. IN FY2024, THE FAMILY SHELTER SERVED 163 PEOPLE AND PROVIDED 12,931 BED-NIGHTS. THE MEN'S SHELTER SERVED 51 MEN AND PROVIDED 6,429 BED-NIGHTS. THE MAJORITY OF ADULTS IN SHELTER HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, PHYSICAL DISABILITY OR SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES, OR AN ADDICTION PROBLEM. IN FY2025, THE EXPANDED EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVED 238 CLIENTS, AN INCREASE FROM THE 214 TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES INCLUDE 24-HOUR HOTLINES AND WALK-IN COUNSELING FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. THE HOTLINES INCLUDE A GENERAL CRISIS LINE AND THE MARYLAND CRISIS HOTLINE WHICH IS A SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE THAT BECOMES A DISASTER RESPONSE LINE DURING STATEWIDE EMERGENCIES. GRASSROOTS ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE NATIONAL LIFE LINE, A NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE. GRASSROOTS ANSWERS HOTLINES AND PROVIDES BACK-UP FOR OTHER AGENCIES THAT REQUIRE A 24-HOUR RESPONSE. IN FY2024, STAFF ANSWERED 78,528 CRISIS CALLS. WALK-IN COUNSELING IS PROVIDED ON SITE, 24-HOURS. THERE WERE 1,473 WALK-IN CONTACTS IN FY2023. ALSO, 135 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED TREATMENT FROM STATE OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM. IN FY2025, NEW AND EXPANDED SERVICES: OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC (OMHC) EXPANSION: GRASSROOTS WAS AWARDED A $430,000 GRANT FROM THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES COMMISSION (CHRC) TO EXPAND THE OMHC. THIS EXPANSION PROVIDES FREE MENTAL HEALTH CARE THROUGHOUT MARYLAND, INCLUDING THERAPY, STABILIZATION WITH PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS, AND WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT. HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM: A NEW HARM REDUCTION ACCESS GRANT FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARDED. THIS PROGRAM ENHANCES PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST SUPPORT AND PROVIDES NEW SERVICES. THE VOLUME OF SERVICES INCREASED, WITH 87,358 CRISIS LINE CALLS AND 58,482 CHATS/TEXTS ANSWERED IN FY2025, UP FROM 78,528 CALLS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE CENTER ALSO HANDLED 1,872 MENTAL HEALTH AND URGENT CARE VISITS AND 2,053 FACE-TO-FACE CONTACTS.