1999 Facts
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
funds community-based outreach, mental health, substance abuse,
case management and other support services, as well as a limited
set of housing services for people who are homeless and have
serious mental illnesses. The PATH program provides these
services through formula grants of at least $300,000 to each
State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and $50,000
to eligible U.S. territories.
PATH Clients
According to information provided by the States, for those
clients for whom demographic data were available:
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Age:
- 35% were adults ages 18-34
- 57% were adults ages 35-64
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Race/Ethnicity:
- 56% of clients were Caucasian
- 32% were Afican-American
- 4% were of other races
- 8% of clients were of Hispanic origin
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Gender:
- 61% of clients were male
- 39% of clients were female
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At the time of first contact with providers supported by
the PATH program:
- 24% of clients served lived on the street or in emergency
shelters
- 28% lived in temporary housing settings
- 48% of clients lived in private or other residences, psychiatric
hospitals, or other settings
Many of the clients served had been homeless for considerable
periods of time. During their most recent episode of homelessness:
- 50% had been homeless for up to 30 days
- 23% had been homeless for 31-90 days
- 17% had been homeless for 91 days - 1 year
- 10% had been homeless for more than one year
Persons receiving PATH-funded services have
some of the most disabling mental disorders. Among clients
for whom a diagnosis was made:
- 43% of clients had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- 36% had affective disorders such as depression
- 21% had personality disorders or other mental disorders
- 58% of persons served had a co-occurring substance use
disorder in addition to a serious mental illness
What Services Are Offered?
- 86% of all providers perform outreach to persons who are
homeless
- 79% of providers offer case management services
- 72% of providers use PATH funds to assist clients in accessing
primary health care services, job training, education services,
and housing
- Additional services provided include community mental
health services, supportive and supervisory services in
residential settings, and substance abuse services
Who Are The Providers Of PATH-Supported Services?
- 366 local organizations provide services to persons who
are homeless and have serious mental illnesses
- 62% of these providers are community mental health centers;
other types of providers include social service agencies,
health care providers, and housing providers
- Nearly 1,500 persons are engaged in the provision of PATH-supported
services to clients who are homeless and have serious mental
illnesses
What Is The Role Of State Mental Health Authorities
In Administering The PATH Program?
- States are required to match each three dollars in Federal
funds with at least one dollar of State or local funds.
In FY 1999, States well-exceeded the minimum level of matching
funds, providing over $15 million in funds to match the
$26 million Federal appropriation.
- The States select PATH providers, based on their assessment
of mental health needs among persons who are homeless, and
oversee providers' use of PATH funds.
- States use PATH funds to provide training and technical
assistance to local service providers.
For more information on the PATH program,
please contact:
Michael Hutner, Ph.D., Director, PATH Program
Homeless Programs Branch, Division of Knowledge Development
and Systems Change
Center for Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(301) 443-3706
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