Fort Lauderdale, Florida (October 30, 2009) – The Freedom Project provides a safe and accessible environment for adults with a mental illness who have brought there by local law enforcement officers. The environment is secure and staff will encourage each person to participate in a plan to better treat their illness and correct the situations that led to their involvement with police by creating linkages and engagement with local community resources.

The program utilizes an integrated, culturally competent and consumer-supported approach to promote mental health recovery at a time when individuals are at their most vulnerable. Participants must be over 18 years old with behavioral disorders and encounter law enforcement officers for non-violent, victimless misdemeanor crimes; or, non-violent, victimless 3rd degree felonies. In other words, only police may bring eligible participants to the project. However, excluded offenses include: DUI, traffic offenses, domestic battery and weapons charges.

Take the case of Jacob A. He was recently brought to the Freedom Project by a local law enforcement officer for a trespassing offense and public intoxification. It would have been his third such arrest in one month, but since Freedom Project opened its doors on May 18th, there was now a safe a secure place where Jacob could be taken and begin a process that would address his needs and end the cycle of problems that were only compounded by his depression and substance abuse issues.

At Freedom House, Jacob showered, ate, became sober, was treated by a psychiatrist and was then able to begin an application for SSI benefits that should ultimately lead to Medicaid eligibility. Treatment staff are hopeful that even if discharged to another homeless shelter, there is now a strong incentive for Jacob to remain, because public assistance applicants must have a permanent mailing address. Even Jacob recognizes the importance of having income and health coverage to treat his problems and is working with staff toward those goals. Had he not found Freedom Project, Jacob would repeat the arrest and incarceration cycle with no end in sight, and at an ever-increasing cost to taxpayers.

Colleen Greene is the Freedom Project Coordinator and can be reached at 954-958-0911.