Short-Term Stabilization Homes

More than a third of individuals with IDD have a mental health disability, and this percentage is increasing. Individuals with a dual diagnosis (IDD and psychiatric disability) need behavioral and mental health services. Individuals with dual diagnosis in Illinois face barriers to community participation and accessing services because behavioral and psychiatric services work independently of one another. Additionally, the disability system is biased towards institutional services. Individuals with dual diagnosis are among the least served populations of people with disabilities and are in need of high-quality crisis services. Short-Term Stabilization Homes (SSHs) were designed to address some of the barriers that this population faces.

Envision Unlimited and Individual Advocacy Group (IAG), two Illinois agencies serving individuals with IDD have contracted with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to implement four SSHs. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the performance of the SSHs and examine the barriers and facilitators in meeting the objectives. This study also aims to identify factors that may impact the length of stay in the SSH and the stability of the individuals in their placement after the SSH. This project ultimately aims to provide recommendations for improving the SSH program.

The SSH program started in September 2016. Individuals admitted to SSH are adults 18 years or older with a dual diagnosis, referred by the DDD in crisis that could lead to permanent displacement from the home. Each home is equipped to support four residents at a time and is staffed with variety of support personnel. The program is intended to house individuals in a SSH for one to three months before they either return to their original housing arrangement or more suitable housing is acquired. Residents will be discharged from the program one they’ve achieved individualized stabilization goals that address behaviors. While the nature of the program is short-term, the objective is a long-term intervention to be continued after SSH. This can only be achieved through collaboration between SSH staff and staff of the resident’s home through meetings and trainings in order for the individual to successfully transition back to the community.