California Department of Mental Health

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This section is in the process of being transferred to the Department of Health Care Services. http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/mh/Pages/ProjectsAssistinginTransitionfromHomelessness.aspx

BACKGROUND

The California Department of Mental Health (DMH) has been awarded federal homeless funds annually since 1985, initially through the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Block Grant, and beginning in SFY 1991-92, through the McKinney Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) formula grant. The PATH grant funds community based outreach, mental health and substance abuse referral/treatment, case management and other support services, as well as a limited set of housing services for the homeless mentally ill.

During SFY 2003-04, a total of 37 counties elected to participate in the PATH program. While local programs serve thousands of homeless persons with realignment funds and other local revenues, the PATH grant augments these programs by providing services to approximately 8,300 additional persons annually. Each county determines the use of PATH funds based on local priorities and needs. These targeted funds provide much needed services to an extremely vulnerable population throughout California.

In accordance with federal procedures, the DMH’s PATH and housing staff have developed guidelines that define the counties' responsibilities to clients who are homeless and have a mental illness. Counties receiving PATH funds must develop a service plan and budget annually for utilization of the funds. The service plan must describe each program setting and the services and activities to be provided. The estimated number of persons to be served must also be included in the plan. Each county that receives PATH funds has established one or more programs of outreach to, and/or services for, persons who are homeless and have a mental illness.

As of Fiscal Year 2011-2012, DMH requires that all programs provide outreach and case management.

Other Allowable services include:

  • Primary Service Referrals
  • Outreach
  • Habilitation and Rehabilitation
  • Community Mental Health
  • Alcohol/Drug Treatment
  • Staff Training
  • Service Coordination
  • Housing Services
  • Supportive Services
  • Screening and Diagnostic Treatment
 

In addition to demographic information, the PATH-funded programs also report outcomes relative to achievement of their objectives. The most fundamental goal for PATH programs is outreach and engagement to persons who would otherwise not receive services due to the combined conditions of homelessness and serious mental illness.

In an effort to improve and expand services to the homeless mentally ill, PATH staff participate in federal, State, and local groups involved in developing effective public policy related to the problem of homelessness. Other PATH staff responsibilities include providing information and education on the needs of persons who are homeless and have a mental illness, and serving as liaisons to State and local organizations.

PATH LETTERS

  • No: 11-01 State Fiscal Year 2011-12 Federal McKinney Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH): Center for Social Innovation (C4SI) Training August 4, 2011 in Sacramento CA
  • No: 11-02 State Fiscal Year 2011-12 Federal McKinney Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Initial Allocation

PATH 2011/12 COUNTY APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

County Applications due to DMH by May 13, 2011

ANNUAL REPORTING

Federal statutory requirements for participation in the PATH program requires annual reports. To comply with Federal requirements, PATH providers receiving funds under the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) grant must report data that relates to the implementation of the program. Each county must complete a web-based PATH Annual Report due no later than December 16, 2011.

The PATH Annual Report Worksheet and Guidance has been created to assist the counties with the collection of the required data. Although the PATH Annual Report Worksheet is not required, it is strongly recommended that counties complete this worksheet and submit it to your State PATH Contact (SPC) before November 1, 2011, or as soon as possible, to identify any issues with the data submission process, and to collect justifications before the December 16, 2011 deadline. Counties with multiple providers should collect this information from each subcontracted provider, and submit one combined report.

This PATH Annual Report Worksheet and Guidance is based on the 2010 PATH Annual Reporting Guide. Simple data checks have been built into the excel worksheet.  Explanations of the errors are included in this guidance.  For further information or more detailed definitions please refer to the 2010 PATH Annual Reporting Guide.

Please note that additional information may be required by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Counties will be notified of any changes or additional information required immediately.

CONTACT

For more information about PATH or other adult programs, please contact Ristyn Woolley (916) 651-1381.

For services in your area, please contact your Local County Mental Health Department.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

On August 4, 2011, DMH and the Center for Social Innovation provided the following one-day technical assistance training in Sacramento, CA.
The training covered PATH data collection, data migration to the federal Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), efficient methods to access Veteran services for clients, monitoring contracted providers, and monitoring direct services. The training also covered PATH outcome measures and the basics of PATH annual reporting.

LINKS