ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The New York State Office of Mental Health commissioner was in Albany this afternoon and met with local mental health and homeless outreach leaders. The work of the ‘Safe Options Support’ team was recognized for getting people into housing.
Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan and Executive Director of Rehabilitation Support Services (RSS) William DeVita were joined by local county leaders to discuss the expansion of the ‘Safe Options Support’ team (SOS).
Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The team assisted DC Dunkel, who said he had no money just six months ago, after he injured himself on a roofing job.
“Zero dollars came from me depleting my savings, trying to figure out how to make things work. Food, shelter, clothes, day to day living. I never been in a position where my income was cut. I was receiving worker’s comp. payments, but then they stopped,” said Dunkel.
He said it was stressful trying to navigate the Department of Social Services, until he got in touch with the SOS team.
“He was homeless living in his car and he did not want to go to DSS. He did not want to engage in services. he had been burnt in the past and it took a lot,” said Janine Laznovsky.
She has been advocating for him. She said they worked on things little by little.
“He had a lot of setbacks and just kind of building the trust and pushing him forward, every time he had a setback, just pushing him forward,” said Laznovsky.
“Janine has just been in my corner, pushing me, reminding me that this is just temporary. That’s been the major thing, just reminding myself that the six months was only a temporary situation and it helped make me stronger for what’s to come,” said Dunkle.
Jennifer Doret is the managing director for Rehab Support Services (RSS). She said the program is designed to provide immediate assistance to individuals in need, including snacks, drinks and clothing, before enrolling interested individuals in the program.
She said they have licensed clinicians, care managers and peer specialists on the teams that go out and identify homeless hotspots throughout Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga counties.
“Since we began late last year, we have been very busy. We have interacted with 433 homeless individuals, and have made over 2000 contacts with individuals. We have made 39 placements in temporary housing and 24 in permanent housing and we have formally enrolled 55 people in the program with almost 350 referrals made to the program many we are still working with in our outreach phase,” said Dorset.
Thomasina Rifenberick is the team lead for SOS and is proud of the work they do.
“I think what stands out the most is that we have the ability to gain the trust with the people we are engaging, and taking our time and having that opportunity to take them through each step until we can successfully house them,” said Rifenberick.
The SOS team is currently full. “There’s not enough staff when it comes to the amount of people who are really in need. I feel like everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night,” said Rifenberick.
As for Dunkel, he went back to work 2 weeks ago and is now a self-published, self-illustrated author of a children’s book, “ Talking to the Moon ” – a book he wrote for his kids while he was incarcerated during COVID.
“Tough times don’t last. You just gotta stay focused and realize where you’re going. You are in control of your future, as much as a lot of people like to blame another person. I could’ve blamed DSS,” said Dunkel.
People experiencing chronic homelessness often live with mental health issues. Dunkel said he knows what that’s like and urges everyone to seek the help they need, especially men.
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