Heartland Bridges is a short-term transitional housing program offered by Heartland Family Service that is designed to assist people with a diagnosed mental health or co-occurring condition while they transition to stability in the community. The goal of the program is to help clients secure permanent housing and connect them with community-based mental health or substance abuse services and avoid unnecessary incarceration.

The program aims to provide a home-like, trauma-informed experience for clients. Program staff are available 24 hours a day at the facility for resident oversight and assistance. The building is composed of 15 beds that are arranged in either single- or double-occupancy bedrooms and bathrooms. The space also offers a family-style kitchen, dining room, and living room. Residents pay 30% of their income toward their living expenses at the facility.

Staff can help clients:
-- Create a plan for housing
-- Connect to services to improve physical and mental health
-- Support in recovery from substance use
-- Support in finding employment or applying for Social Security benefits
-- Connect to programs that help with life skills (cooking/cleaning, budgeting, relationship/communication skills, using community resources, etc.)

Applicants must complete a screening form available on the website: www.heartlandfamilyservice.org/counseling-prevention/heartland-bridges-program