Description:

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services funds the Supportive Housing Program (SHP) located at 526 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, CT. This program provides services to homeless adults with mental illness and/or co-occurring substance abuse disorder who reside in DMHAS Catchment Area 7 (see eligibility below for specific towns).

SHP vocational staff members work with program participants to identify needs, goals, and resources that maximize independence. The individual plans and services are based on each individual's vocational goals. Vocational staff collaborates treatment planning with clinical, residential, and social programs to achieve established goals. While the overall goal is career development for the purpose of achieving economic self-sufficiency, the program takes a broad approach to address and remove barriers to employment such as lack of housing, immediate health conditions, addiction, etc.

The program offers vocational interest inventories/career planning, job-seeking skills instruction, job development, and follow-up services. Also available are independent living skills training, job performance evaluation, case coordination, referral services, and individual counseling. Services are continued based on the individual's need and their expressed desire to work. To insure that the dignity and respect of each individual are maintained and promoted throughout the community and that people have the opportunity to assume positive adult roles, staff seeks opportunities for individual choice and empowerment. The program also seeks feedback from program participants regarding satisfaction with services.

Vocational staff employed with this program complete all of Marrakech's core training requirements including CPR, First Aid, and Behavior Management. In addition, staff attends external training that is applicable to their positions as they become available. The professionals that work in this program are experienced vocational staff with demonstrated success in meeting employment program outcomes. Marrakech's vocational staff is integrated into clinical teams at the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven and various other community provider agencies.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the SHP and its various components, individuals must be homeless, age 18 or older, reside in Catchment Area 7 (New Haven, Hamden, and Woodbridge, CT), and have a mental illness or co-occurring substance abuse disorder. To request services, please complete the CSN referral form must be completed and signed by a clinician.  It can be downloaded at www.csnct.org or you may request a packet by calling (203)974-7082.

Contact Information:

Tyler Evans
Director of Behavioral Health Services
Phone: (203)389-2970 Ext. 1312
tevans[at]marrakechinc.org

Lauren Pace
Vice President of Behavioral Health and Career Development
Phone: (203) 389-2970, Ext. 1329
lpace[at]marrakechinc.org

Mailing Address:
Marrakech, Inc.
Six Lunar Drive
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Main Phone: (203) 389-2970
Main Fax: (203) 397-0658

Related Websites

Yale Community Services Network
DMHAS Supported Employment Services
Connecticut Mental Health Center