Critical Time Intervention (CTI)

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is designed to prevent recurrent homelessness and other adverse outcomes among persons with severe mental illness. It aims to enhance continuity of care during the transition from institutional to community living.

The intervention, which lasts roughly 9 months following institutional discharge, involves two components: (1) strengthening the individual’s long-term ties to services, family, and friends; and (2) providing emotional and practical support during the transition. Postdischarge services are delivered by workers who have established relationships with patients during their institutional stay. CTI is intended to be used with individuals leaving institutions such as shelters, hospitals, and jails.

Program Goals:

  • It facilitates community integration and continuity of care by ensuring that a person has enduring ties to their community and support systems during these critical periods.

 

Target Audience:

  • Individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

Program Description:

  • The intervention is delivered in three main phases:
  • 1) transition to the community, which focuses on providing intensive support and assessing the resources that exist for the transition of care to community providers
  • 2) tryout, which involves testing and adjusting the systems of support that were developed in the first phase
  • 3) transfer of care, which completes the transfer of care to community resources that will provide long-term support.

 

Program Delivery:

  • CTI Trained Worker

 

Costs to Implement Program:

https://www.criticaltime.org/training-consultation/

Contact information

Reference Material

Susser, E., Valencia, E., Conover, S., et al. (1997). Preventing recurrent homelessness among mentally ill men: A “critical time” intervention after discharge from a shelter. American Journal of Public Health, 87(2), 256-262.

Jones, K., Colson, P.W., Holter, M.C., Lin, S., Valencia, E., Susser, E., et al. (2003). Cost effectiveness of Critical Time Intervention to reduce homelessness among persons with mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 54(6), 884-890.