OUTREACH

Hands on top of one another

One in ten adults struggles with alcohol or other drugs, but only 10% of those folks ever come to a place like Ten16. We’re taking action to reach the other 90%, bringing a message of hope and recovery.

Bringing hope to people across Mid Michigan

Why do so few of the people who struggle with alcohol or other drugs ever visit a place like Ten16?

Most of them don’t believe that their problem is bad enough to need professional help. If you ask their family or friends, you might get a different answer.

Rather than waiting for the missing 90% to show up at our doorstep, Ten16 is taking a message of hope to other places where they may end up.

This gives us an opportunity to talk with people about their current relationship with alcohol and drugs—without shame, judgment or confrontation.

Through outreach, we invite people to explore whether they would like to make a change and, if they do, connect them with places and resources to help.

Woman in sunglasses smiling at camera

The interaction, support, and follow-up is what I like best. It is really hard to interact in this same way with the doctors and nurses and feel like they care in the same way. The nurses and doctors also don’t have the ability to follow-up once we leave the hospital. Feeling supported for the last couple months has really meant a lot.

- Ten16 Client, Project ASSERT
Man smiling in front of mountain range

[The staff are] very thorough about covering all aspects of recovery.

- Ten16 Client, Project ASSERT

In action: Project ASSERT

A good example of Ten16’s outreach is the Project ASSERT program.

Project ASSERT was created by Boston Medical Center over 30 years ago. ASSERT is short for Alcohol and Substance Use Services, Education, and Referral to Treatment.

Project ASSERT uses the lived experience of people in long-term recovery to begin a non-judgmental conversation with a patient in the Emergency Department about how alcohol and other drugs are impacting
their health and quality of life.

Through this program, we talk with over 1,300 patients each year. We often talk with their family members, too.

Emergency department

The Project ASSERT process

How Project ASSERT Helps Patients and Families

Many people don’t realize that their substance use might be connected to the health problems that bring them to the Emergency Room. Wellness Advocates help make that connection in a way that feels real and personal. Because they’ve been through similar struggles themselves, they can talk with patients in a way that feels understanding, calm, and free of judgment. This helps patients feel more comfortable and open to change.

Wellness Advocates are trained to spot what each person needs. They can connect patients with things like a regular doctor, substance use treatment, and other services that may help. They also support the families and friends of the person struggling, because healing works best when everyone gets the help they need.

How Project ASSERT Helps Hospitals

Emergency rooms are busy places, and medical staff often have to move quickly from one patient to the next. Wellness Advocates have the time to stay and talk with patients longer. This extra attention can lead to better health results, higher patient satisfaction, and a more positive experience for everyone in the hospital.

1. Screening

Ten16’s Wellness Advocate begins a non-judgmental conversation about how alcohol and other drugs are impacting the patient’s life.

2. Conversation

If helpful, our Wellness Advocate will invite the patient to have a deeper conversation about making changes in their life.

3. Plan

We help the patient create a Plan for Change, which represents the first, simple steps toward positive life changes.

Ten16’s outreach locations

Through Project ASSERT, Ten16 has staff in the Emergency Department at several local hospitals across mid-Michigan, including:

  • MyMichigan Health: Alma, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt Pleasant, Standish
  • Corewell Health: Big Rapids, Reed City

They may not work out of our own locations, but these staff members are central to Ten16’s mission of promoting recovery and wellness at all stages.

Interested in having Ten16 staff provide behavioral health services at your hospital? Become a partner.

Larger central MI-20
HERE FOR YOU

How can Ten16 help you?

If you’re concerned about a loved one or would like outreach programming for your organization, please fill out this form! We’ll get back to you within one business day.