By Neil Farrell ~
Transitions-Mental Health Association received a $10,000 grant from the “Opportunity to Thrive Initiative” channeled through The Community Foundation of SLO County, the agency announced.
The grant will be used to support a new program called, “First Day Out” in conjunction with a new, Recidivism Reduction Program with SLO County.
“First Day Out,” reads a news release, “provides a critical, compassionate transition for adults with mental health issues who are being released from San Luis Obispo County Jail. The program will provide these individuals with a warm handoff, some basic essentials for resuming their life on the outside and, above all, a caring person waiting for them the moment they are released — a program mentor.”
Transitions also received a “Community Recidivism Reduction” grant from the County to create a “Peer Mentorship Program.” It hired a part-time person with “lived experience who is working with the corrections system to help facilitate the release of incarcerated adult mental health consumers, ensuring that they can achieve success in the community.”
The new hire, Anthony Benavidez, began work with Transitions as a driver for its “Homeless Outreach Team.” Through a combination of personal and family experience, he brings first-hand knowledge of incarceration and mental illness. “I understand what happens,” Benavidez said. “You get out, you need a warm welcome.”
The Opportunity to Thrive grant will mean that Benavidez will be able to spend half a day with each client on the day they are released, Transitions said. The grant will pay for transportation and the cost of customized welcome packages to include food, toiletries, bus passes, clothes and in some cases a motel voucher.
“I will be able to anticipate special needs,” Benavidez said. “And be able to build certain flexibility into the time spent on the day of release. I can prepare for challenges that can often overwhelm individuals who have just gotten out of jail.”
“The intention,” said Joe Madsen, division director of housing and support services for Transitions, “is that the program mentor will bring real life experience to issues of incarceration, reentry, and mental health. This individual meets with clients both before and after release, provides peer leadership and counseling, and becomes a proactive resource for linkages to wellness programs that feature life skills and support groups, vocational opportunities, housing, and education.”
