ONTRACK PROGRAM RESOURCES INC
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Mission Statement
ONTRACK Program Resources (ONTRACK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit technical assistance (TA) and training organization established in 1997. Its mission is to strengthen programs for underserved communities by collaborating with diverse groups, leveraging knowledge, and advocating for policy change to improve social justice outcomes. Our vision is to eliminate disparities through caring, compassionate, community-centered approaches to health and wellness.
About This Cause
Soul Space is a holistic wellness strategy for Black/African Americans that provides individual one-on-one quality of life assessments, life skills coaching, resource/systems navigation and assistance, empowerment plans, support groups, small group financial empowerment and other life skills classes. Based on research from several studies of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, one of four school children has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and or behavior throughout their lifetime. However, most have the capacity to succeed and enhance their ability to survive early adverse events. Soul Space is designed to prevent serious emotional disturbance, SUD, delinquency, suicide, and other adverse behaviors and consequences among the most vulnerable. Soul Space serves Black/African American adults and their families with a focus on individuals at risk for/or recovering from behavioral health conditions (substance use and/or mental health), and individuals needing support for successful reentry to community after incarceration. Soul Space is a culturally welcoming, holistic resource to fill gaps in community not available through traditional medical, mental health, and justice/law enforcement institutions. The purpose of Soul Space is to strengthen, build and expand resources to sustain in-community wellness and self-sufficiency, and to reduce ineffective recycling through costly and ineffective public institutions. Description The Soul Space strategy is unique and scalable. It provides a holistic, wraparound framework to prevent and improve impacts of substance use disorders, mental health, trauma and race-based pain and social, economic disparities. Soul Space uses culturally relevant approaches to life skills development, financial management, stress reduction, and other health-promoting activities that lead to documented progress and improvements in key social determinants of health. Our research shows that many African Americans fall through the cracks in the system at critical junctures. First, an extremely low number of Black/African Americans take advantage of traditional support groups prescribed in publicly or privately funded behavioral health care programs. Second, many service providers stop tracking clients/patients after treatment ends or once a referral is made. Third, publicly funded behavioral health programs are not compensated for the level of wraparound services necessary to successfully transition clients into the community support system. Fourth, culturally specific community recovery support systems that can track and evaluate outcomes are non-existent. Lastly, support for the "last mile" in the recovery continuum to full integration back into the community is completely lacking. Soul Space is designed to fill these gaps. Soul Space is in its third year of operations and currently offers a wide array of services. Google Giving support will be to anchor and expand existing services. If additional service needs are identified in the process of providing holistic wraparound services to promote self-sufficiency, new services will be created to be responsive to community needs. ONTRACK provides high touch individualized serves for our most vulnerable residents. Key components of Soul Space are: Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services: Soul Space provides case management services via direct service. Quality of life needs assessments, customized classes, coaching in job readiness, employment referrals, mental support groups, legal services, relationship education, financial literacy, etc. are offered to overcome income insufficiencies and poverty. Other mental health treatment services are provided via referrals and/or contractors. ONTRACK is striving to maintain/grow a roster of qualified Black therapists and other allies to call upon as needed. System Navigation Services: Soul Space provides system navigation services through a combination of direct service, community collaborations and referrals. The Soul Space Empowerment Advocates/case managers identify resources and refer clients as appropriate to advance economic, physical, and emotional wellbeing, and assists with immediate needs for shelter, domestic violence/safety concerns, and a network of available specialists to provide multiple resources. A total of 261 Soul Space members enrolled in Soul Space since February 2021 through June 30, 2023. Soul Space provides specialized services representing many groups within the Black/African American community. At intake, 138 out of 261 members (52%) reported being part of one or more of the following groups: • 19% of members are experiencing homelessness. • 22% of members have a family member with a mental illness. • 16% of members live with a disability. • 6% of members are current or former foster youth. • 2% of members are veterans. • 16% of members are currently or formerly justice-involved. CURRENT STRESSORS AT INTAKE Soul Space members are asked at intake about their current stressors, or areas where they might be interested in some support: Sixty-eight 68% of members (65) reported mental health as a current stressor in their life at intake. Top 10 Stressors at Intake Stress Area (n) (%) Mental Health 138 70% Financial Support 80 41% Housing 79 40% Therapy 106 54% Recovery/Substance Use. 20 10% Education 36 18% Workshops 35 37% Financial Support 80 41% Workshops 66 34% Legal Issues 36 18% Basic Needs 27 14% Of the members who mentioned a stressor, 82% (162 out of 197) mentioned more than one stressor. Focused Request Options: (possible targeted campaigns) • Targeted campaign to fund Black therapists to work with Soul Space clients • Marketing and education campaign • Temporary housing for vulnerable individuals/families