For one client, a couple of seemingly small items have paved the way to huge success!
Brandy Hall began working with AWARE’s PACT Team in March. When Brandy came to the team, she didn’t have much. It had become a tremendous challenge for her to focus on her own health needs without some basic necessities.
As quickly as Brandy became enrolled, the team went to work finding her housing, a job and defining her life goals. They even found ways to help her stay warm as winter set in.
Brandy’s AWARE Case Manager Jen Chapla said, “Brandy has the right attitude to get through any hurdles in life. She is positive, persistent and has really honored our team with the level of trust and hard work she’s invested into the process.”
A few months ago, Brandy received a new winter coat, boots and warm gear that made it easier to walk to and from her new job at Vans Grocery Store. The PACT Team was able to utilize the state’s 189 plan to access funding that paid for such items.
PACT Team Lead Kennar Ward has known Brandy since she came to the program. “Watching her grow throughout this last year has been incredible to say the least” she said.
The team has also worked with community partners like Helena Food Share, Good Samaritan and Salvation Army to provide Brandy with the resources she needs to take care of herself and get back on her feet.
Brandy is grateful for the help she has received and continues to meet every goal she sets. One of her new professional goals is to work toward a cosmetology license. We can’t wait to watch her accomplish this one!
She says that her key to success is to “follow the light," and as she prepares for the new year, she’s looking forward to “gaining friends and learning new things.”
AWARE’s PACT model for treating severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders is proven to be effective in keeping individuals at home and in the community and reducing the rate of commitment to inpatient facilities.
PACT offers intensive care with the goal of increasing independence, stability and ability to function within the community as well as decreasing the frequency and duration of hospitalization, crisis services and incarceration.
We meet with clients in the community, including client homes, public parks, coffee shops, public libraries, doctor’s offices, social service agencies and homeless shelters.
Each person is met on a case-by-case basis with needs determining services.
To be eligible, a person should have a severe disabling mental illness (SDMI) diagnosis or be willing to complete a comprehensive clinical assessment with our clinical team.
For more information, please contact Jake Henderson, Service Director, at jhenderson@Aware-inc.org or by phone at 406.563.8117.