Principle Investigator:  Melissa Thomas

Project Director: Brenda Robbins

Duration: Annual Formula Grant (July 1 - June 30 of each year)

Summary: This grant is funded by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). The grant is to provide outreach and services to persons with serious mental illness who are homeless or at immanent risk of becoming homeless, including those with co-occurring substance abuse problems. Funds are used to provide an array of services, such as screening and diagnostic services, emergency assistance, case management, and referrals to the most appropriate housing environment. Persons who are identified as homeless and having a serious mental illness are engaged in treatment and support services and efforts are made to integrate them into the Arizona Behavioral Health system.

PATH funds are distributed to the three providers serving the state with the largest number of homeless individuals. In FY 2005-2006, those three providers are Southwest Behavioral Health Services (SWBH), Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA), and Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority (NARBHA). The grant requires a non-federal match requirement of $1 cash contribution for each $3 of federal funds. This formula grant is renewed annually.