Funding for Spurwink’s Behavioral Health Outreach Worker Program Included
To aid in street outreach, the City Manager’s recommendations include funding for Spurwink’s Behavioral Health Outreach Worker program based at 22 Park Ave in Portland. The behavioral health outreach workers serve as case management, street outreach, and triage specialists for support services. This program will provide triage and case management services in Portland shelters and housing accessed by Long Term Stayers, with the primary focus on the unsheltered homeless population. This program will serve as an ultra-low barrier-housing program designed to stably house a small group of people who have historically faced difficulties with housing security and retention. The program will also provide outreach in Deering Oaks Park to address some of the issues that emerged in 2020 during the pandemic. The program will assist people outside and gathering in the surrounding area, with a goal of bringing Long Term Stayers into housing and ensuring their success. You can read more on the city’s website.