Homeless Services
Partners with the Community
We are a part of the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless and work with local emergency shelters, the City of Omaha, United Way of the Midlands, Region 6 Behavioral Health and literally dozens of other community partners to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing homelessness in our area. This ongoing, collaborative effort serves as the foundation for effective outreach, and is integral to our focused interventions to help those most vulnerable gain access to much needed housing, mental health and other resources.
Outreach, Short-Term Psychiatric, and Transition Services
Community Alliance is on the frontlines in serving men and women who are homeless and struggling with mental illness and substance use. As part of a multi-agency street outreach team, we seek out people who are living outside and also regularly visit area emergency shelters. We work to identify individuals and engage them in the first steps toward mental health care. Our homeless clinic, open one evening a week, offers initial mental health assessment, diagnosis, and medication for those who cannot access or are distrustful of traditional treatment facilities. We also follow along with individuals that we have engaged, providing recovery support and help in sustaining housing and ongoing mental health care.
SOAR
For those unable to work because of their mental illness, an important pathway to obtaining the financial resources needed to obtain housing, medical, and other resources to meet basic needs is Social Security disability programs. SOAR, which stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery, is a proven approach to help individuals navigate the process of applying for Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). By using this national model, Community Alliance sees higher and faster initial approval rates compared to other application assistance programs. The program prioritizes helping people with mental illness who have experienced homelessness and other high-need individuals. A specially trained Community Alliance Benefits Specialist can help determine whether you or someone you care about may qualify for Social Security benefits and the SOAR program.
Peer Support in Shelters
Emergency shelters are a vital community safety net for thousands each year. Yet, for those experiencing a mental illness, the environment can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, confusion and distrust. Community Alliance partners with each of our local emergency shelters, offering an added layer of support to those dealing with mental illness or substance use. Trained peer support staff offer an individualized, “I’ve been there” perspective, practical tools, and hands-on assistance that can help provide assurance, restore hope, and avoid further crisis within the shelter environment. They can also maintain contact with the individual from shelter to shelter and assist them in accessing mental health and other resources.
Visit our FAQs page for more Community Alliance information.
Contact Us
We value your questions, comments and information requests and will respond to you in as timely manner as we can.
* This contact form is not monitored on a 24 hour / 7 day a week basis. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to speak to someone right away, do not use this form. Call your doctor, therapist, or crisis support number. If you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.