Florida Partners in Crisis

SOAR training eases the path to self-sufficiency

February 22, 2010

Training in how to speed the process of applying for disability income benefits is proving to be a valuable tool for community mental health and substance abuse agencies in their efforts to help people with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders become self-sufficient.

As illustrated in some of the Florida Partners in Crisis Success Stories articles, programs across the state report that the training in the federally-approved SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery) model has considerably shortened the time it takes for individuals to begin receiving disability income.

In Florida, the Department of Children & Families (DCF) has taken the lead in promoting SOAR training. The DCF Mental Health Program and Homelessness Program Office are partners in coordinating the training.

The two-day training is conducted by certified trainers located across the state, according to Denise Barber, SOAR liaison for the Mental Health Program.

Barber said the cost of the training is free, with the SOAR manual and related materials provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  The training is recommended for front- line staff who work with people who are applying for SSI, SSDI or Medicaid benefits, such as case managers and staff of HIV clinics and homeless shelters.

A list of certified trainers is available at our Resources section. Click on Publications, then scroll down the page to SOAR Trainer List for Florida.

If you are interested in being trained in the SOAR method, contact one of the trainers in your area to see when the next training is scheduled.  If you want to set up a training session for your organization, you will be asked to provide a space for the training to be held.  Recommended class size is from 15-25.

The dates and general location of upcoming training sessions are listed below.  However, class size is limited, so contact the trainer in your area to get more information. 

Tallahassee:  March 24-25, at the Winewood Office Center, 1317 Winewood Blvd., Conference Room A,  Building 6. (Only a few slots are available. You can ask to be put on a waiting list.)

Ocala: April 14-15

Daytona Beach:  April 27-28

Sarasota: May 4-5

For more details, contact Barber by phone at (850) 414-1501 or e-mail Denise_barber@dcf.state.fl.us