Research and Publications

Project Connect, 2009-2010

This quasiexperimental study evaluated the effectiveness of Project Connect, a pilot program with 97 homeless men, who were frequent users of a psychiatric emergency room (CPEP) in New York City. The goal was to engage the men with outpatient treatment and other community supports in order to promote recovery and decrease subsequent use of the CPEP.  This was the first CTI program to use peer specialists to deliver the intervention. Funded by New York State Health Foundation.

 Nossel, I., Lee, R., Isaacs, A., Herman, D., Marcus, S., Essock, S. (2016). Use of Peer Staff in a Critical Time Intervention for Frequent Users of a Psychiatric Emergency Room. Psychiatric Services.

FINDINGS:

• Outpatient service use increased significantly among Project Connect participants both during and after the intervention, while it declined in the comparison group.
• There was no difference between the two groups in their reduction of use of emergency or inpatient services.