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Working here in Nashville under the supervision of Will Connelly, I saw firsthand how important the SOAR program was/is in assisting persons experiencing homelessness and suffering from SMI.
When used in conjunction with the Vulnerability Index, SOAR saves lives, restores hope and dignity, and lessens overall costs on the community as a whole by providing an individual with the resources necessary for subsidized housing and health care.
If there is a downside at all, it is that agencies often think they can add SOAR duty to a case manager's workload. While this can be successful, I believe it also may be a reason some case managers receive the training but never take it to the next level and begin working earnestly with SOAR.
Working with Will taught me that to really excel in a SOAR program, a dedicated staff focusing entirely on SOAR is a huge asset. This is because a small staff committed to practicing the tenets of SOAR can devote the time and effort needed to build relationships with external agencies that provide medical records and ancillary support to the SOAR team. It also allows specific individuals in the department repeated contact with the reps who actually review the filed cases and make determinations regarding the approval or denial of the claim.
This turned out to be hugely important here in Nashville, as over time, the department's credibility increased to the point that when our cases arrived, examiners knew that they were receiving a well crafted, organized and detailed medical summary report that supported the claim for benefits. They also knew that because there was no monetary compensation involved for the department, there was little incentive for us to try to pass through an unnecessary claim for benefits.
SOAR is an extremely important resource for those of us committed to ending homelessness in our communities. Combined with the Vulnerability Index and the HPRP program, these are potent resources with incredible potential towards ending homelessness for our most vulnerable individuals on the streets.
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The website is :) We just recently added an entire sample application that is under the trainers only section to help folks assemble a comprehensive application. In addition, you can e-mail the SOAR website with any questions, and we'll respond asap. Yvonne
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You don't necessarily have to be a case manager or social worker to become a SOAR trained person to assist people who are applying. One thing we strongly encourage is not charging anyone for assistance using the SOAR model. If you check the SOAR website, you can find out about trainings in your area and when they're scheduled. You go to www.prainc.com/soar and check the trainings link. Hope this is helpful. Yvonne
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from
December 14, 2009
10:24 AM
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Do you have to be a case mgr to act as someones rep or can anyone take the training and start helping people?
I already help many homeless people just on my own but would love to be able to assist w/this process as well
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Amy--what a wonderful endorsement of your work. I'm soooooo happy that the SOAR model is so useful to you. The importane of what you're doing sure can't be underestimated. Thanks so very much. Anything I can do to help, please let me know! We keep adding information to the website--the 2010 SSA numbers will be up soon, so please do keep checking in! Thanks again. Yvonne
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Good Evening (Hi Yvonne!!)
I am a SOAR Representative at Community Mental Health in Howell, MI (CMH) and boy you should see my caseload and I feel so rewarded by what I do! I LOVE my job! I work with individuals whom have mental illness and a substance abuse issue and there are more and more clients whom are becoming homeless, have chronic homelessness and/or are at severe risk for homelessness if they do not get some help fast! So far I have been getting approvals on my cases and I am thrilled for the clients who have been through so much! I was trained by John Loring in Ann Arbor, MI and he is the best of the best! I could not had asked for a better mentor!
I just want to say to anyone on this posting if you are not SOAR trained and have an opportunity to be ..DO IT! It is the most rewarding job I have ever had in my life!! I actually have a job that I love so much and hope to continue doing for a long time!! There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that there is a little bit of sunshine that you can help bring into a person's life after they have struggled for a long time in a world of darkness!
Amy F Bowman :)
Howell, MI
CMH
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Donna, thanks much for this endorsement. I'm so glad you've found the training to be useful. I do encourage folks to check the SOAR website periodically--we continue to add information. And this website can be a source of letting us kow when you have ideas on what additional information might be useful. Yvonne
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very good, I like it.
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