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SOARing Over Lunch - Cultivating Growth One Call At A Time!

In the past 11 years, the SOAR model has helped more than 36,112 people with accessing lifesaving benefits. These benefits enable them to be stably housed and better positioned to achieve other recovery-focused outcomes, such as better physical health, mental wellness, and reductions in substance abuse. One of the common features that exists in states where SOAR has been successful has been ongoing state support, consistent SOAR infrastructure (e.g., steering committees), and ongoing quality improvement.

Support in the form of technical assistance and ongoing perseverance and dedication by the Social Security Administration, states, state agencies, programs, and individual SOAR workers has resulted in a great deal of expertise and knowledge in the national SOAR community.

The SOAR TA Center is very aware of this knowledge and this is one of the reasons we created the SOARing Over Lunch conference call—to help programs and SOAR workers, especially new ones, to learn the ins and outs of completing applications and implementing SOAR from those who know best—people who are already doing it! In June 2016, the SOAR TA Center began a series of informal monthly calls designed to help support SOAR efforts across the country.

In looking at the format for the calls, we felt it was important that the call topics were driven by the participants and that the answers to your questions were delivered in real time. Participants submit questions via email or in the chat space provided on the meeting platform, and then a SOAR TA Center Liaison answers the question verbally or in the chat space. When needed, the Liaison may email resources or answers to the person following the call. The real magic happens when other SOAR workers or local leads contribute experiences they have had or resources and tools they have used.  

While even the most seasoned SOAR worker and local lead still need support to enhance their program and improve outcomes, these calls are especially important to those who may be new to completing applications or just starting their role as local leads.

We are all very grateful that we can turn to experienced members of the community for their knowledge because as SOAR grows, the next generation of SOAR workers and leaders can rely on the expertise of those who are already doing amazing work.

These calls are just one small way we can all work together and help each other better support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with accessing benefits to support their recovery, housing, and hope!

For more information and dates of upcoming calls, visit: /article/soaring-over-lunch

Thanks again for the great work you do in communities across the country; we look forward to talking soon!