MIRCI expands outreach services in response to COVID-19 pandemic
April 13, 2021
The Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. (MIRCI) has increased its capacity to reach and assist individuals who are experiencing or at risk of mental illness and/or homelessness via a new facility funded by an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).
At MIRCI’s new facility, located at 1516 Gregg Street in downtown Columbia, adults, age 25 and above, who are engaged with or referred to MIRCI’s Homeless Outreach Team, may receive behavioral healthcare screenings, benefits assistance, housing screenings, and referrals to outside agencies.
“MIRCI is pleased to announce the expansion of our outreach services at 1516 Gregg Street,” said Julie Plane, MIRC’s clinical director. “We recognize that individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness need extensive outreach to engage in services. The Outreach and Benefits Team will work with individuals to ensure pathways to behavioral health services and mainstream benefits, while also assisting them in obtaining housing stability.”
The outreach center’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and screenings can be scheduled by contacting MIRCI’s Outreach Coordinators at 803-661-8004.
MIRCI successfully applied for a COVID-19 ESG grant to fund the expansion. ESG added allocations as approved by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance.
