SAMHSA SOAR

Rhode Island

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Please select your state to view information and contacts for SOAR in your state. While there is SOAR activity in every state, there are not SOAR services available in every community.

State Information

Rhode Island SOAR State Team

State Team Lead(s):

  • Jennifer Lopes
    Email: jlopes@rihomeless.org
    Phone: 401-371-6543

  • Brianna Ehler
    Email: brianna@rihomeless.org
    Phone: 401-203-5670

TA Center Liaison:

  • Sametra Polkah-Toe
    Email: spolkahtoe@prainc.com
    Phone: (518) 439-7415 x5107

SOARing in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s SOAR Initiative is coordinated through the joint work of employees at several agencies, including the House of Hope CDC, Sojourner House, Amos House, and WARM. Our goal is to increase expedited access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligible adults who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of our model:  Since 2006 we have forged successful partnerships with SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS), the Veterans Administration, the Office of the Public Defender, PICA, Brown University, community mental health organizations, and other community providers.

Referral Process

Client referrals for SOAR services can be sent electronically to the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless at https://www.rihomeless.org/soar. Please note that referrals can only be accepted from professionals with a direct relationship to the client (such as healthcare providers, therapists, case managers, peer specialists, etc.). 

For more information on Rhode Island’s SOAR Initiative, please contact the State Team Lead (contact info above). 

Expectations of Participation in SOAR

Interested organizations should have employees contact the State Team Lead and SOAR TA Center Liaison, then complete the SOAR Online Course.

Expectations of SOAR-trained Caseworkers:

Once trained, SOAR Case Managers are expected to complete SOAR applications using the agreed policies and procedures. Case Managers and their agencies are asked to commit to the following:
  • Participate in monthly SOAR Team Meetings
  • Participate in on-going technical assistance and training 
  • Submit completed SOAR cases to State Lead for approval before submission to SSA and DDS
  • Undertake the key components of the SOAR process, including:
    • Becoming the applicant’s representative
    • Obtaining medical records
    • Producing medical summary report
    • Participating in local quality review processes
    • Maintaining communication with SSA/DDS
    • Submitting data to local SOAR lead

Local Leads:

  • Brianna Ehler
    Providence , RI
    Email: brianna@rihomeless.org
    Phone: 401-203-5670

  • Evan Jones
    Providence, RI
    Email: ejones@sojournerri.org
    Phone: 401-861-6191

  • Jennifer Lopes
    Pawtucket , RI
    Email: jlopes@rihomeless.org
    Phone: 401-371-6543

State Events

Events List

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State Jobs

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State Documents

Filename Description

Success Stories

  • SOAR Success in Providence

    The following SOAR success story was submitted by Evan Jones, SOAR Local Lead, Rhode Island.

    Type:
    Success Story
    Date:
    4 Aug 2023