In January 2021, *Bridget began participation in RISE’s Community Outreach Court Program. At the time she was residing at the Gateway Motel with assistance from the Department of Social Services (DSS) but was not receiving any services nor taking medication for her mental or physical health concerns – which were contributing factors to her state of homelessness. As she also lacked a working phone, maintaining contact with the RISE Outreach Court Coordinators proved quite difficult. Though staff visited her motel room in person on multiple occasions, without the ability to coordinate they continued to miss each other.
Staff reconnected with Bridget at the Community Outreach Court near the end of February. They learned that DSS had helped her obtain a studio apartment in Glens Falls. Though she now had a home, the RISE continued to support her as she worked on completing the conditions of Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACOD) issued by the Court. Under an ACOD, the case is adjourned for a period of six months (sometimes a year), after which time the case will be dismissed – provided the individual has remained arrest-free and adhered to all conditions imposed by the court under this order. The benefit of an ACOD is that it is not a form of probation nor a conviction. It allows the individuals who have been arrested for various charges associated with homelessness to move forward with a clean slate. Many Community Outreach Court cases are resolved in this manner. RISE staff assists participants, like Bridget, in meeting court orders during this time. These may include avoiding areas like the Woodlawn Parking Garage, refraining from alcohol and illegal drug use, and/or participating in mental health or recovery services.
Bridget’s ACOD conditions including obtaining treatment, including therapy, and taking the prescribed medications needed to effectively manage her psychiatric disabilities. RISE staff connected her with community resources/services in the Glens Falls area, including re-establishing care with her primary care physician who was able to prescribe her medications until she was able to obtain a mental healthcare provider. Staff also assisted her securing this provider by mid-April.
In June 2021, RISE reported to the Court that Bridget had continued to maintain contact with them and adhered to the conditions set forth by the court. This included maintaining her apartment in Glens Falls, attending all scheduled appointments with both her primary care provider and her mental health providers, and adhering to her psychiatric medication regimen. RISE was also pleased to inform the court that she had begun to integrate into the community in Glens Falls by exploring the area and meeting new people.
RISE staff submitted similarly positive reports to the court throughout the latter half of 2021 and again in January 2022 when she graduated from the Community Outreach Court by completing the conditions of her ACOD – which is resulted in her case being dismissed and sealed. Bridget continues to live independently in her Glens Falls apartment with the support of Warren County Adult Protective services.
*Bridget’s name has been changed to protect her identity.