Project Live
Programs
Project Live believes that housing is more than just a roof over a person’s head but also a “home”, and that decent and affordable housing, ongoing supportive services, and employment opportunities are critical to the process of recovery. The agency subscribes to the “HOUSING FIRST” model, and, therefore strives to provide an environment that is supportive of each individual’s steps to wellness and recovery.
Consumers who reside in our properties have permanent, affordable housing linked to a range of support services that enable residents to live independently and work toward realizing their full potential. It has proven to be a popular, and therefore effective approach for many people with mental illness , as it affords both independence and support as needed.
A vital component of the Community Support Services is the ongoing provision of support services to Project Live “graduates.” Supportive Housing Staff maintains regular, ongoing contact with graduates who have moved out of PLI supervised housing, and into the wider community.
History of the Supportive Housing Program
Project Live, Inc. began its Supportive Housing Program in 1994 with one apartment building, one staff person and 17 people with mental illness. Over the years, the program has been able to expand to meet the growing demand for supportive housing services. Now, Project Live’s Supportive Housing Program provides services to over 180 people, in over 20 Project Live properties and several rental properties, with a staff of 25 full-time and part-time employees, including an Assistant Executive Director, two Program Directors, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Substance Abuse and Vocational Counselors, and direct service staff, including several individuals with personal experience of mental illness.
Mission
The mission of Community Support Services is to provide services to consumers who live in the community. We want to ensure that housing is safe, affordable, provide supports, to help individuals maintain stability so they can lead happy productive lives.
Services
The services are individualized according to the needs of the person. This allows the program to provide a wide range of services, not limited to those listed below:
- Case Management – regular phone and face-to-face contact
- Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (e.g. hygiene/grooming/budgeting/menu planning-nutrition/banking)
- Transportation – helping people access transportation as needed
- Recreation/Socialization
- Advocacy
- Social service linkages (e.g., Medicaid, Social Security, Section 8, etc.)
- Community integration (including education, volunteer and paid employment opportunities)
- Crisis Intervention
Staff shifts are staggered to provide extended coverage during evening and weekend hours. An emergency number, manned by “on call” supportive housing staff, is provided to all people in the program for emergencies that occur during hours without direct staff coverage.
Building Trust with Consumers
PLI staff devotes a significant amount of time to the process of building a trusting relationship with each tenant – an important rule of engaging individuals in services. Support staff conducts visits in each person’s apartment on a regular pre determined basis as agreed upon by the individual and the program staff. The number and duration of visits depend on each person’s desires, needs, stated goals and degree of self direction. Staff provides flexible services that adjust as individuals’ needs change–increased in times of crisis and decreased as consumers become more self-sufficient.
Tenants who live in PLI apartment buildings and single family homes also have an opportunity to develop as a community through formal and informal community meetings. The meetings are held on site and give tenants a forum to resolve issues that arise with property management or with their neighbors or each other). Support staff facilitate the meetings and use them as an opportunity to model problem resolution and socialization skills.
The Supportive Housing Program accepts referrals from consumers, families, providers of mental health services and other social service agencies.
Questions? Contact Community Support Services
Office
CSS (Community Support Services)/SHP
271 Mt. Pleasant Avenue
Suite 3
West Orange, NJ
07052
Phone: 973-395-9160
Fax: 973-395-9165
After Hours On Call: 877-893-3416
Program Directors
Marjorie Wichert
LPC/Director of Community Support Services
LaToya Zeller LPC/Director of Community Support Services