Background
Adapting Critical Time Intervention (CTI) for VA Grant and Per Diem Case Management (GPD-CM Grantees)
Created over twenty years ago, the original Critical Time Intervention (CTI) model was an intensive, nine-month case management approach designed to reduce the risk of recurrent homelessness among single adults making a transition from shelters to housing. In a set of three timed phases, CTI aimed to connect these vulnerable individuals to crucial services and supports and assisted them in navigating complex systems of care during the transition period. The goal was to create deep, lasting connections to supports that would remain in place after the intervention ended, so that its impact would endure well beyond the end of the active intervention period.
The main differences between the original CTI model and CTI for VA Grant and Per Diem’s Case Management Grant Program (CTI GPD-CM) are the target population, the duration of services (six-months instead of nine-months), and the interface with the financial assistance for housing resources. CTI GPD-CM delivers short-term, targeted services designed to increase economic resources and connect Veterans to community supports that will help them retain housing after the financial assistance and case management period end.
Like all case management or care coordination models, CTI GPD-CM relies primarily on mobilizing and effectively coordinating existing services and informal supports. It does not create additional housing, income, treatment or other resources on its own, but seeks to maximize access to and the impact of existing resources. Since communities differ significantly on the availability of such resources, its form and impact may vary in different communities.
A successful CTI GPD-CM implementation depends on the resources available to deliver the model. In order to achieve fidelity, programs must have infrastructure that includes:
• Staffing consistent with the guidelines for caseload size
• Basic resources for fieldwork, including reimbursement for travel and technology
• Supervisors with professional credentials and additional training in CTI
• Senior staff that are prepared to serve as advocates for the models with funders and other community providers
The main differences between the original CTI model and CTI for VA Grant and Per Diem’s Case Management Grant Program (CTI GPD-CM) are the target population, the duration of services (six-months instead of nine-months), and the interface with the financial assistance for housing resources. CTI GPD-CM delivers short-term, targeted services designed to increase economic resources and connect Veterans to community supports that will help them retain housing after the financial assistance and case management period end.
Like all case management or care coordination models, CTI GPD-CM relies primarily on mobilizing and effectively coordinating existing services and informal supports. It does not create additional housing, income, treatment or other resources on its own, but seeks to maximize access to and the impact of existing resources. Since communities differ significantly on the availability of such resources, its form and impact may vary in different communities.
A successful CTI GPD-CM implementation depends on the resources available to deliver the model. In order to achieve fidelity, programs must have infrastructure that includes:
• Staffing consistent with the guidelines for caseload size
• Basic resources for fieldwork, including reimbursement for travel and technology
• Supervisors with professional credentials and additional training in CTI
• Senior staff that are prepared to serve as advocates for the models with funders and other community providers