University Times

A $1 million federal grant was presented Aug. 18 to the Partners Project, enabling collaborating community, housing and health care groups to provide specialized treatment for homeless women recovering from addiction and for their children.

The Partners Project is a collaborative effort of the Dolores Howze Treatment Program, the Hill District Community Collaborative, the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh, the Matilda Theiss Health and Child Development Center of UPMC Health System and Women's Space East.

"This grant will be used to help a group of people who are often lost in treatment," said Vaughan Stagg, assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and clinical administrator of UPMC Health System's Matilda Theiss Health and Child Development Center. "Historically, about 50 percent of homeless addicted women have accompanying mental health problems, which makes it difficult for them to get into treatment, especially if they have children. The Partners Project offers a solid treatment program that is sensitive to their special needs." Homeless women cared for by the Partners Project will be housed in the Dot Talley Center, a group of 22 apartment units that share a common courtyard. The buildings were rehabilitated with funds from the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The units have extra safety features, such as cameras and gates, to help ensure family safety from drug sales and community and domestic violence.

For those in the program, UPMC is providing primary health care, specialized child development services and mental health services for adults.