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Frequently
Asked Questions about ShelterCare
Who
is ShelterCare?
ShelterCare is a nonprofit that provides housing and support
services to families who are homeless and adults who have a mental
illness or brain injury. ShelterCare helps move people toward greater
levels of independence and stability.
What
services does ShelterCare provide?
All of ShelterCare’s eleven programs are residential. In addition
to providing housing, we help individuals with mental illness and brain
injury reach stability, independence and recovery by helping them find
jobs in the community, providing assistance with medications and money
management, and teaching them valuable social and life skills. We help
homeless families locate stable housing, find work, link with other
community resources, and develop money management strategies to prevent
future homelessness.
What
is the scope of homelessness in Lane County? How many people are not
getting services?
According to the one-night count of individuals in shelter
performed by the county, there are approximately 1,200 homeless
individuals in Lane County at any given time. The actual number is
likely to be much higher as this count does not take into account those
who choose not to sleep in the shelters.
What
is the scope of severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in Lane
County? How many people are not getting services?
Approximately 6,500 adults in Lane County have a severe psychiatric
disability. Of those, about 2,000 are not currently receiving supported
housing services. At any point in time, approximately 260 individuals
with mental illness are homeless in Lane County.
What
is the scope of acquired brain injury (ABI) in Oregon? How many people
are not getting services?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is caused by an external physical
force, such as hitting one’s head in car accident, and can impair
thinking, memory, sensation, language, and/or emotion. At least 5.3
million Americans require support with daily activities as a result of
an acquired brain injury. There are 1.5 million new cases of acquired
brain injury each year in the US, with 3,000 new cases yearly in Oregon
alone.
What
kinds of mental illness does ShelterCare serve?
Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) such as schizophrenia
or bipolar disorder. SPMI is more serious than more common forms of
mental illness like mild depression, which make life difficult but are
not as debilitating. SPMI is severe enough to prevent individuals from
fully participating in society without assistance and skills training.
SPMI affects 5-10 million adults (2.6 – 5.4% of the population) and 3-5
million children ages five to seventeen (5 – 9% of the population) in
the United States.
Does
ShelterCare treat only low-income individuals and families?
Yes, all of ShelterCare’s clients are low-income.
Where
does ShelterCare receive most of its funding?
The majority of ShelterCare’s funding comes from fees-for-service,
which is reimbursement from Medicare or Medicaid for serving people
with disabilities. Other essential funding comes from grants, United
Way, and individual contributions.
Does
ShelterCare provide services that are provided by other nonprofits in
Lane County?
For families who are homeless, ShelterCare shares provision of shelter
and services with one other nonprofit. We take calls for the waiting
list for shelter for both agencies and refer callers to one of the
shelters in Eugene/Springfield. ShelterCare’s Family Housing Program is
the only shelter that provides a state licensed childcare program for
families in shelter.
For adults with severe mental illness, ShelterCare is the
only agency that provides the full continuum of residential services
from a secure facility to independent living in apartments.
For adults with brain injury, ShelterCare is the only
agency in Oregon that provides residential services in an apartment
setting.
How
many people does ShelterCare serve every year?
Approximately 1,300 individuals:
- Over 600 individuals
with severe and persistent mental illness
- 38 survivors of
traumatic brain injury
- Approximately 100
homeless families
How
does my contribution make a difference?
Your support helps to protect, support, and advance vulnerable
populations in our community who, with assistance, are able to move
onto more independent living where they succeed with less assistance.
Click here to download a printable
PDF version of this FAQ sheet
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