The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Technical Assistance Center is accepting applications from Continuums of Care (CoCs) that have not yet participated in the federally sponsored SOAR Technical Assistance Program.

SAMHSA’s SOAR program assists states and localities to expedite access to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability programs -- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) -- for persons who are homeless or at risk for homelessness and who have a mental illness, a co-occurring substance use disorder or other serious medical condition. Currently, all 50 states participate in the federally sponsored SOAR technical assistance (TA).

CoCs are invited to submit a brief, 3-5 page application in response to the Request for Applications (RFA) to participate in the SOAR TA Project by March 10, 2014. A message of interest and intent to file an application is requested, but not required, by February 21. Refer to the RFA and the documents referred to in the RFA on the OneCPD Resource Exchange.

Participation in SOAR requires local commitment and collaboration while working closely with the SOAR State Team Lead to ensure that the effort is consistent with that of other communities in the state. In many states, the local and/or balance of state CoCs are actively involved in SOAR implementation at both the state and local levels. Some examples include:

• Northwest Indiana – The Continuum of Care Network in Northwest Indiana is spearheading the area’s SOAR initiative and has formed key task forces to assist them in accomplishing their objectives and goals of developing a system to assist the most vulnerable populations acquire benefits that will assist them in the reduction of homelessness and poverty.
   
• New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas – In each of these states, the organization responsible for the Balance of State CoC is also the lead agency for the state’s SOAR efforts.
   
• Phoenix, Arizona – Valley of the Sun United Way and the Corporation for Supportive Housing have established an infrastructure for SOAR within the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care on Homelessness. The CoC lead, Brande Mead, Maricopa Association of Governments in Phoenix, AZ is a key member of the local SOAR steering committee.
   
• St. Louis, Missouri – The CoC is heavily involved with the rollout of SOAR in their community. The CoC lead also serves as the local lead for the SOAR initiative, organizing and conducting quarterly meetings, supporting trainings and ensuring follow up with those who have been trained.
   
• Bakersfield, California – View the incredible journey of the Kern County Homeless Collaborative.

For more information or if you have questions about the RFA, please contact Kristin Lupfer, Project Director, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center via e-mail at klupfer@prainc.com or by phone at 518-439-7415, ext. 5262.