Judith Samuels, PhD, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Center for the Study of Issues in Public Mental Health, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, (845) 398-6579, samuels@nki.rfmh.org and Erez Lenchner, MA, Center for the Study of Issues in Public Mental Health, Nathan Kline Institute/ NYU Wagner, Nathan Kline Institute for Pscyhiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

This presentation will describe an experimental adaptation of Critical Time Intervention (CTI) for homeless families. We will also present an analysis of early outcomes.

The Westchester Families First project is a randomized trial of the Family CTI intervention for homeless families in Westchester County, NY. The Family CTI program combines rapid re-housing with short term (9 month), intensive case management following the CTI model. The control group receives “services as usual.” The project provides an opportunity to examine questions that are central to dissemination of evidence based practices, and by allowing for analysis of the process of adaptation and replication of the original CTI model. While the original CTI program was developed for homeless single adults with serious mental illness, and homeless families are very different, the CTI model can be successfully adapted to meet the needs of families while maintaining it’s central elements. This presentation will highlight the key elements of CTI that remain in tact in the Family CTI model, and will describe elements that were changed.

This presentation will also include findings from analysis of data collected from the homeless mothers participating in the project. The Family CTI program is hypothesized to have a positive impact on factors such as family residential stability, mother’s mental health and use of illegal substances.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to

• Describe the key elements of the Family CTI program
• Discuss the benefits and pitfalls of adapting an evidence based practice
• List some of the early findings from the Westchester Families First project

Keywords: Homeless, Intervention

Related Web page: csipmh.rfmh.org/projects/hm5.shtm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.