Mental Health Outreach and Case Management (COS)

MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND CASE MANAGEMENT

Two programs serve the needs of individuals who benefit from these services:

Community Outreach Services (COS)

The Community Outreach Services Program is designed for adults who have a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness. The primary goal of the program is to assist people in living successfully in their own homes in the community. COS is staffed by nursing staff, both RN and LPN, and by an Outreach Worker.

Eligibility Requirements:

1) Individuals must be under the care of a psychiatrist at DHS and be referred to the program by their psychiatrist.

2) Individuals must have a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness.

Services include such things as the following:

1) Assistance in taking medication as prescribed and keeping regularly scheduled appointments at DHS.

2) Encouragement and assistance in health-related treatments, including appointments with personal physician and dentist.

3) Shopping wisely for a balanced diet and clothing needs.

4) Maintaining an apartment, working with a landlord.

5) Negotiating the maze of county, state and federal government programs that impact life, such as Social Security, SSI, Medical Assistance and Medicare.

6) Linkages to other helping agencies like the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, work-related services, Food Pantry, etc.