New Innovative Institute for Community Living Program Will Support 200+ People Across NYC to Live Independently
(New York, NY) — The Institute for Community Living (ICL) announces the launch of Health Connect, a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind program designed to address critical gaps in care for individuals with the most significant mental health challenges living in scattered-site permanent supportive housing across Brooklyn, Queens, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx.
The Health Connect program is the first program to deliver integrated whole-health support directly to residents, setting a new standard for behavioral health care in scattered-site housing. Health Connect redefines what’s possible for individuals with serious mental illness and complex behavioral health needs by providing proactive, comprehensive care that makes independent living achievable—even for those who have struggled with stability in the past.
Traditional supportive housing models typically offer minimal case management services, conducting home visits to residents only once a month. As a result, residents often have to navigate fragmented services or depend on caseworkers for referrals, which can lead to delays in receiving care. Health Connect, on the other hand, embeds a comprehensive care team within the scatter-site supportive housing program, eliminating barriers and delivering timely, personalized support that meets clients where they are. Unlike other programs that rely on external referrals for intensive services, Health Connect’s on-site, trauma-informed team provides immediate, tailored care to meet the escalating needs of residents without the disruption or delay of referring them to other programs.
“Health Connect is a game-changer for supportive housing,” said Jody Rudin, President and CEO of the Institute for Community Living. “This innovative intervention bridges the gaps in our current system, ensuring that those who need the most support aren’t falling through the cracks. By providing a whole-health approach right where our residents live, we’re helping them not just remain stable, but thrive in their own communities.”
“Working in supportive housing for the past 16 years, I’ve worked with many individuals needing comprehensive care to continue living independently and thriving in the community. Also, I have overseen housing programs where the case management staff required clinical and medical support and training on how to work with high-risk clients, said Rosita Marinez, Senior Vice President of Supported Housing at the Institute for Community Living. “We created Health Connect to solve this problem by embedding a full clinical care team directly within the scattered-site housing model. This program fills a critical gap, empowering clients to achieve stability and thrive in their communities like never before.”
Health Connect is specifically designed for individuals aging in place in scattered-site housing who face increased risks of hospitalization, overdose, and incarceration. Health Connect’s proactive model includes a full preventive care assessment at admission, utilizing a trauma-informed, person-centered framework to evaluate psychiatric, medical, and social needs to preempt crises and ensure sustainable, independent living for participants. Approximately 200 clients are expected to benefit from Health Connect’s pioneering approach.
Health Connect’s team includes:
● Licensed Clinical Social Workers
● Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSWs)
● Peer Specialists
● Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
● Occupational Therapists
● Quality Improvement Specialists
