Community Support & Supervision

Supporting Recovery through Alternatives to Incarceration & Specialty Care Management

People living with serious mental illness, struggling with substance use disorders, and experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to becoming caught up in cycles of criminal legal system involvement that worsen their health and make it harder for them to sustain stability in the community. Racial disparities magnify these adverse social outcomes for Black and Latine people, who are more likely to be criminalized for being poor, being homeless, or having behavioral health needs. Incarceration is not a solution—it worsens trauma and disrupts employment, health care access, and supportive relationships—leading to decreased community safety.   

Through innovative alternative-to-incarceration (ATI) and reentry programs, CASES Community Support & Supervision helps people with behavioral health needs who are experiencing homelessness to avoid future incarceration and to access needed treatment. The Community Support & Supervision team provides comprehensive case management, direct support services, and connection to other community-based providers, including for:  

  • Mental health care   
  • Medication assistance  
  • Substance use counseling 
  • Housing  
  • Education 
  • Employment 
  • Vocational training  

Impact

Programs within the Community Support & Supervision department at CASES utilize a highly individualized approach to services guided by evidence-based practices to best meet each person’s goals.  

In 2023, Community Support & Supervision:  

  • Diverted 954 people from jail and prison  
  • Made 589 referrals to supportive services such as education, employment, mental health care, and substance use treatment to connect participants to ongoing support 
  • Supported 70% of youth participants to complete their court mandate and avoid incarceration  
  • Supported 82% of clients to avoid re-arrest while in their CASES program  

Community Support & Supervision Programs

Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) Programs 

newSTART (Short-Term Alternatives and Referral to Treatment)
newSTART is an alternative sanction program for adults convicted of misdemeanor crimes in Manhattan Criminal Court, offering all services as community case management in CASES’ offices.
Eligibility: People ages 18 and above 

Nathaniel Community Success (NCS)
NCS is an alternative-to-incarceration program that provides tailored, therapeutic case management services to clients with a range of needs, challenges and goals as well as connections to CASES’ menu of wraparound behavioral health, employment, education, and support services. 
Eligibility: People ages 16+ with mental illness facing charges in Brooklyn or Manhattan
How to Refer: Contact courtreferrals@cases.org  

Reframing Opportunities, Alternatives & Resilience (ROAR)
ROAR is an alternative-to-incarceration (ATI) program incorporating  evidence-based practices to provide individualized services to young people with a range of needs, challenges, and goals.
Eligibility: Youth and young adults ages 16-27 with a case in Criminal or Supreme courts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Manhattan
How to Refer: Contact courtreferrals@cases.org 

Case Management & Care Coordination Programs 

Forensic Homeless Intensive Case Management (ICM)
FHICM is designed to assist people returning to New York City from state prisons who have serious mental illness and will begin living in the New York City shelter system, helping those served secure housing and develop independent living skills, with services lasting up to 12 months.
Eligibility: Adults with SMI leaving NY State prison and entering the City’s shelter system
FHICM does not accept community referrals

Health Home Plus Care Management (HH+)
HH+ is an intensive Medicaid service for adults diagnosed with serious mental illness who may benefit from enhanced support because of high needs, disenfranchisement from care, and/or poor outcomes, helping  establish and maintain participation in the services they need to address their treatment, social, and health needs.
Eligibility: Adults with serious mental illness
How to Refer: Complete the Referral to CASES Health Home Care Management form.