(SAAP) and Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services
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Service Guidelines Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) and Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services November 199 7 Acknowledgements The Department of Human Services gratefully acknowl- edges the contribution made by service providers of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program and alcohol and drug treatment services to the development of these guidelines: in particular, the members of the intra-departmental working group and reference group whose contribut~onto the final document was invaluable. Published by Youth and Family Services Division and Aged, Community and Mental Health Division, Victorian Government Dewartment of Human Services. Editing, design and production by Human Services Communications Unit. Contents Introduction 7. Department of Human Services Regional Offices Supported 1. Context for Service Delivery Accommodation Assistance Program 25 I. 1 Aims of the Service Guidelines 1.2 Objectives of the Service Guidelines 8. Contact Details for Alcohol and 1.3 To Whom These Service Guidelines Apply Drug Treatment Services 51 1.4 Principles Appendix 1: Elements of the 1.5 SAAP Definition of Hcmelessness SkAP Service System 63 1.6 Background 1.7 The Relationship Between Homelessness and Alcohol and Drug Problems Appendix 2: Elements of the 1.8 SAAP Services Alcoholand Drug Treatment Service 1.9 Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services System 67 2. Guidelines for Service Delivery 9 Appendix 3: Management of an 2.1 Accessing SAAP Services and Alcohol and btoxicated Person 69 Drug Treatment Services 9 2.2 How SAAP Services Can Access Alcohol and Appendix 4: Glossary 71 Drug Treatment Services 10 Flow Chart: SAAP Staff Access to Alcohol and Drug Services 2.3 How Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services Staff Can Access SAAP Services 2.4 Crisis Supported Accommodation Services 2.5 Transitional Support Services 2.6 Homeless Persons' Suppoit Centres Flow Chart: Alcohol and Drug Treatment Service Access to SAAP Services 2.7 Service Delivery and Case Management Responsibilities 2.8 Continuing Building Partnerships 2.9 Special Needs Groups 2.1OGrievance Procedures 3. Endnotes 25 4. Resources 25 5. Contact Details for SAAP Services 27 6. Statewide Services 47 -iii These service guidelines establish a model of coliabora- tion between the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Services and alcohol and drug treat- ment services. They will promote coordinated and effective service delivery to people requiring the services of both programs. Given the diversity of need among homeless people, it is unrealistic to expect that one program area can fully meet these needs. The Department of Human Services has a responsibility to ensure that: All of its programs provide relevant and flexible serv- ices. The complex needs of homeless people are met. When both issues need to be dealt with, a coordinated approach between the two service systems is necessary. These service guidelines recognise that to achieve the best possible outcome for clients using SAAP services and alcohol and drug treatment services, cooperative and flexible working relationships between local services are essential. It is important to highlight that this document is not a substitute for the collaborative working agreements developed between services at the local level. This document is designed to provide a broad framework for service delivery and coordination. For ease of use, the service guidelines are divided into three sections: 1. Context for Service Delivery. 2. Guidelines for Service Delivery. 3. Resources. 1. Contextfor Service Delivery This section includes: Outline agreed procedures for the management of Aims and objectives of the service guidelines. people who are homeless and have alcohol and drug To whom the service guidelines apply. problems. Principles. Define the roles and responsibilities in the significant Definitions. interactions between SAAP services staff and alcohol Background. and drug treatment services staff. SAAP and alcohol and drug treatment services service Describe the processes for communication between deiiverv framework. SAAP services staff and alcohol and drug treatment services staff. This section will be of use to: .Managers of SAAP and alcohol and drug treatment 1.3 To Whom These Service services. Direct care workers. Guidelines Apply Supervisors. These guideiines apply to any Department of Human Services-funded SAAP service or.alcohol and drug 1.1 Aims of the Service treatment service. Guidelines 1.4 Principles The service guidelines aim to: Promote coordinated care for peopie requiring SAAP A person with an aicohoi and drug-related problem has services and aicohoi and drug treatment services. the same entitlement to access SAAP services as any * Clarify the working relationships between SAAP serv- other member of the community. ices and alcohol and drug treatment services staff. A person who is homeless, or is at risk of becoming Provide a broad framework to supporl working agree- homeless, has the same entitlement to have their ments between services at the local level. alcohol and drug problem assessed and treated as Promote linkages between SAAP services and aicohol any other member of the community. and drug treatment services to ensure more appropri- Responses to homeiess people should empower and ate service delivery for peopie who are homeless or at maximise independence. risk of homelessness, and who have aicohol and drug When there is service provision by SAAP services and misuse or dependence issues. aicohol and drug treatment services, consultation should occur at all key decision points with the consent of the client (intake, assessment, planning, service 1.2 Objectives of the Service delivery and review). Guidelines Where there is involvement by both services, one The service guideilnes: service shouid be identified as having the primary case Define the processes for reciprocal access to services management role. by clients of SAAP services and alcohol and drug Services shouid respond.to clients' needs in a way treatment services. that: Provide guidelines to assist SAAP services and aicohol - Respects their dignity as Individuals. and drug treatment services staff to meet the needs of - Enhances self-esteem. homeless peopie who have, or are believed to have, an - Is sensitive to their social and economic circum- alcohol and drug problem. stances. - Respects their cultural background and beliefs. 3 SAAP services and alcohol and drug treatment service Family violence. providers will collaborate with each other, with the Low income. consent of the client, to ensure that the client receives a coordinated, quality service. SAAP provides a 'safety net' for this disadvantaged group and assists with reintegration into the community. SAAP SAAP provides generic support to assist the transition to 1.5 Definition of secure, long-term accommodation. Therefore, access to. Homelessness and coordination with, specialist services is crucial to The following definition of homelessness is set out in the achieve positive outcomes for homeless peopie. Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994. It defines homelessness more broadly than the absence of Alcohol and drug problems affect many people within the shelter. community, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. For some people experiencing When a person is homeless. alcohol and drug problems, access to the wide range of 4.(1) For the purpose of the Act, a person is taken to services that SAAP services and alcohol and drug have inadequate access to safe and secure housing if treatment services currently provide is essential for the only housing to which the person has access: effective treatment outcomes. This is particularly impor- (a) Damages, or is likely to damage, the person's health; tant as the alcohol and drug treatment services system or has become more defined with the redevelopment of (b) Threatens the person's safety: or alcohol and drug treatment services in Victoria. (c) Marginalises the person through failing to provide access to: A philosophy of care that links or integrates SAAP (i) adequate personal amenities: or services and alcohol and drug treatment services (ii) the economic and social supports that ahome concurrently is a more holistic way of treating people. normally affords; or This approach calls for close working relationships and (d) Places the person in circumstances which threaten or flexibility between appropriate service providers within adversely affect the adequacy, safety, security and the health and welfare system. For people experiencing affordability of that housing. alcohol and drug problems, access to safe accommoda- tion is often the primary need that must be addressed In this sense, homelessness is more than being before other lifestyle issues. Therefore, SAAP services 'houseless'. It relates to broader issues of safety, secu- and alcohol and drug treatment services have a joint rity, health, and support. responsibility to ensure that homeless people have access to safe and secure accommodation to ensure 1.6 Background that clients can maximise the benefits of treatment. Homeless people do not constitute a homogeneous group; they come from a variety of backgrounds and 1.7 The Relationship Between have a diversity of needs. Significant numbers of home- Homelessness and Alcohol and less people also experience alcohol and drug misuse in Drug Problem .addition to one or more of the following: People experiencing aicohol and drug problems who are Mental illness. also homeless, or are at risk of becoming