Homeless Mentally Ill Persons

League of Women Voters^®
of Knoxville/Knox County

Support of special services for mentally ill homeless persons in Knox County including: help on the street or transportation to psychiatric services; medicine management, daily supervision of medication; financial management so bills are paid; sheltered work. Other special needs are information and referral services, case management and recreational and social opportunities.
The services above should be made available through a spectrum of housing options with case managers or outreach workers available in every setting.
Homeless mentally ill persons should have a right to receive treatment even when they are unable to seek it for themselves although their civil rights must be safeguarded. Alternative services should be appropriate and attractive to mentally ill persons.
Local state-funded mental health centers should be responsible for the planning and oversight of local services. The family should be involved but not bear total responsibility for overseeing services for family members. (Adopted 8/1986)

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