Project STAR: An Overview

Last Fall, Samaritan Daytop Village was awarded a five-year grant called Project STAR (Screening, Treatment, Assessment, and Recovery) by the federal agency SAMHSA.The grant provides $500K - $1M per year in funding to integrate culturally appropriate, client-centered behavioral health services at two transitional shelters housing women ages 18-80. The shelters are in low-income, underserved neighborhoods with the clients primarily representing marginalized populations of color.

Project STAR seeks to address the unmet needs of homeless women with substance use or mental health disorders. Clients voluntarily take part in therapeutic group sessions to support their behavioral health. We talked with Project STAR’s Program Director Taina Delaney about the fascinating program.

Which shelters are benefiting from Project STAR’s services?

• The Radisson Hotel Annex is in Queens (off the Van Wyck). We started working with the women at that shelter in January 2024. We are transitioning to Brooklyn next week at the Bed-Stuy Beacon Women’s Shelters, which can host almost 300 clients.
• Jamaica YMCA Annex. We just started with them in July.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The client must have a mental health concern and/or a substance use disorder. They must also be a client in one of the two women’s shelters in our focus groups and be 18 and over. It’s a voluntary service.

How many clients are involved?

The numbers vary from week to week, anywhere from 2 to 10. The first year, which ended in September, we supported 60 women. In years 2-5, we will increase that number to 90 each year for a total of 420 participants by the end of year 5.

How are the clients selected for Project STAR?

They are screened from intake, and the Case Manager confirms the referral with us. About 74% of the clients identify as Black and 17% as Hispanic/Latina. Another 5% checked off the White/Non-Hispanic categories and 4% selected Other.

Who implements the program?

Our Behavioral Health Specialist Stephanie Gabguidi. She holds groups and provides individualized services, typically when there is a crisis. If the client needs psychotherapy, she can also refer the client to a specialized resource. We also have two credentialed Peer Recovery Specialists and a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist who also conducts groups.

When does the Behavioral Health Specialist offer group sessions?

There are group sessions offered every day. The sessions are based on the client’s availability. Stephanie sees clients every day—anywhere from 3-8 clients per day. Otherwise, she’s screening for eligibility to enroll new clients into the program.

What are some group examples?

Some group examples include CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Emotional Regulation, Substance Use, Nutrition, Coping Skills, Regarding Trauma, Seeking Safety, Skills Development, Understanding Medication Management, Mindfulness, and Symptom Management.

Are there any other offerings of note?

We do offer some recreational activities. There are movie nights, crocheting activities, and other pro-social activities. Our Licensed Creative Art Therapist Lisa Lindsay holds groups twice per week.

As opposed to the classic group therapy session, how does the Creative Art Therapist’s group session differ?

The Creative Art Therapist gives the clients a different sense of community. She will give the women open themes based on that day’s groups. They have done drawings and vision boards to explain the expression.

How do you track Project STAR’s success?

We have a Research Analyst team. They follow up with clients every six months to make sure they're progressing. However, most of the clients that signed up were transferred. So, we are currently planning to connect the clients with a Care Coordinator. If any of the clients move, we can then better track them in the future.

What has been the feedback from the clients?

The clients enjoy it. They like that there is someone they can talk to in an emergency. They also like the resources, extra support, extra outlets, and social support to connect more.