MAIN OFFICE: Project PLASE, Inc. 1814 Maryland Ave. Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: 410-837-1400 Fax: 410-837-6130 e-mail: info@projectplase.org

Building futures for more than 30 years.

Full List of Services

HIV Outreach Team

PLASE's HIV Outreach Workers function as an agency wide team present throughout Project PLASE's housing facilities. All HIV infected residents are screened by a member of the Outreach Team upon entry and are then provided with information and active support and encouragement while living in and transitioning out of Project PLASE. HIV education, peer support, escorts to appointments, referrals, screening, compliance with medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are a few of the key services provided by team members. The role of the team is imperative to providing the HIV infected homeless men and women who enter Project PLASE with specialized referrals, support services and attention that assists in improving the quality of life of these residents. In addition to servicing HIV positive residents, team members attempt to screen and educate all uninfected residents regarding at-risk behaviors, the need for HIV testing and counseling, and HIV transmission. Every HIV infected resident who is in need of a medical provider, mental health provider or substance abuse treatment facility will have the appropriate appointments scheduled. Escorts are provided for those residents in need, to assist in establishing compliance and participation with the programs to which they are referred.

Transportation assistance

Bus tokens are provided to those residents who have no income and no other source of transportation assistance. Referrals are made to any programs for which the resident may be eligible.

Medical assessments by a staff or volunteer nurse

The nurse at Project PLASE establishes a trusting relationship with the clients in order to serve as a resource. The nurse also educates PLASE staff and clients on health issues that are important to them. This education primarily focuses on HIV/AIDS. The nurse also makes an assessment of each client and their medications upon entrance into PLASE and on an as needed basis.

Case Management

Case management is done by either an Advocacy Counselor or member of the HIV Outreach team (staff at this level do not have more than five individuals on their caseload).

Peer support from former residents

Project PLASE currently has two former residents in the position of Peer Counselor at our facilities. These peers assist the full time counselors in the shelters and provide a personal example to all current residents of the possibility of success and sobriety in their future.

Socialization Activities (Writing group, Art group, GED tutoring)

Residents are given opportunities to express themselves through art and writing groups and workshops held throughout the facilities. Other personal betterment activities, such as tutoring and GED preparation are made available for clients when qualified volunteers are available. Additionally, outings such as baseball games, trips to the zoo and our annual picnic provide residents with the opportunity to socialize and live a normal and healthy life.

Enriched Life Skills Groups

Two collaborative partner agencies, Changing Faces and the Institute for Behavioral Health and Spirituality (IBHS), provide residents with weekly groups that focus on assisting residents to expand their skills and abilities to live more healthy and stable lives. Changing Faces accomplishes this by focusing their group topics on relapse prevention and independent living skills, such as better budgeting and financial skills, understanding housing issues, as well as tenant/landlord issues. This helps lead the individual toward housing stability. The IBHS groups focuses on the elimination of negative behaviors and attitudes and increasing self-awareness and spirituality. The collaborative partners are also available to residents on an individual basis to work on these and related issues.

House Meetings

Weekly house meetings provide a forum for residents to share their ideas, concerns and desires. These meetings are held at a set time each week and are facilitated by a staff member who takes minutes.

Addictions Assessments, Counseling, Contracts, Relapse Prevention

As part of the Enriched Life Skills program, residents with history of substance abuse receive a thorough addiction assessment (Addiction Severity Index) by an appropriately accredited staff member. These assessments assist in the goal setting process and active connection with appropriate substance abuse treatment.

Intensive Case Management as needed

The most challenging and fragile residents require an even more intensive level of casemanagement. Each facility is staffed with one Advocacy Counselor who is trained to provide intensive casemanagement to those at need within their facility.

Resident Advisory Committee

In addition to having had consumers on our Board of Directors, we also have a Consumer Advisory Board which we call a Resident Advisory Committee (RAC). This body meets once a month. In its meetings, it has accomplished the following:

• Addressed concerns of current or previous residents
• Organized a larger group of residents to have input into our strategic planning process
• Reached out to residents for input into the strategic planning process by completing surveys for the use of a consultant.
• Organized and carried out special resident activities including a talent show, fashion show and a chicken dinner for PLASE's residents and residents of neighboring organizations.

Members have meetings with the Executive Director and other key staff.

Connection to permanent housing

Permanent housing possibilities include Project PLASE's Shelter Plus Care Program and the Project PLASE based Single Room Occupancy Program.

Outreach Counselors

Outreach Counselors offer support once permanent housing is obtained, help prevent recurring homelessness, and help the person to function at the highest level possible. Professional staff follow residents as they move into community-based, long-term living situations. They provide support for individuals to live as independently and fully as possible. This includes promoting access to the community and its resources with the goal of prevention of recurring homelessness, institutionalization, or isolation. This program serves the individual as an integrated move toward becoming an active member of the social community.

© 2003-2008 Project PLASE