The City of Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court was jointly launched by RISE and the Saratoga Springs City Court in October 2020. One its first success stories is a Saratoga Springs gentleman, who graduated after complying with the conditions of the court as outlined in his Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACOD).
When the RISE Community Outreach Court Coordinators began working with him November of 2020, he had been homeless for over 20 years, was a severe alcoholic, and was very resistant to any sort of treatment or services. However, with the support of RISE staff he began to accept and fully engage with the services offered to him, including mental health and addiction treatment. After being in the Community Outreach Court program for six months, he obtained a one-bedroom apartment through the Glens Falls Housing Authority. He remained in compliance with the conditions set forth by the court which included maintaining contact with the Community Outreach Court Coordinators, his care manager, and all his service providers which earned the dismissal of his charges in May 2021.
After his first court appearance in November 2020, he began residing at the Code Blue Shelter, which is operated by Shelters of Saratoga. The Community Outreach Court Coordinators attempted to connect him with the Department of Social Services for emergency housing, but he was reluctant due to having issues with them in the past, so he remained at Code Blue while being connected to services to help him obtain housing and an income.
The Community Outreach Court Coordinators made several referrals for this gentleman which included Fort Hudson Health System (FHHS) for care management services, Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL) to apply for Social Security benefits, and the Saratoga County Department of Mental Health & Addiction (SCDMHA) for mental health and addiction treatment. The Community Outreach Court Coordinators also worked with him to re-establish medical care by connecting him with a primary care physician.
He began working with his care manager at FHHS and completed Section 8 paperwork for Glens Falls Housing Authority. His application was approved, and on January 1, 2021 he moved into his own one-bedroom apartment. Because he no longer resides in Saratoga County, he was referred to Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) in Glens Falls, where he attended virtual and in-person groups for addiction and mental health treatment as well as continued the work he started with SAIL to obtain Social Security benefits.
This gentleman continues to live independently and shares that he truly enjoys having his own apartment. Because of his dedication to remaining in compliance with the conditions set forth by the court, and the support provided by RISE staff, he was able to turn his life around, establish a residence, and reengage with the community. A magnificent accomplishment after 20 years of homelessness!