Description/Objective:

The Seriously Functionally Impaired (SFI) investment funds costs associated with service provision required under the comprehensive community service plan to adults who has been determined to have a seriously functional impairment.

In 2009, the Agency of Human Service began a project intended to ensure successful release from Corrections Facilities of persons identified as having “Serious Functional Impairments (SFI).” A major element of this project was to make sure that needed services were identified, accessed and integrated across departments and the Designated Agencies (DAs).  Local Interagency Teams (LIT), led by the AHS Field Services Directors, were established to oversee the challenges associated with releasing such persons, with a State Interagency Team (SIT) formed as backup to resolve those issues local teams could not. All referrals to the SFI-SIT must come from a LIT to ensure local team planning has already been involved. The Challenges for Change legislation of 2010 directed the AHS to facilitate the release of SFI designated persons from prision who were deemed ready and appropriate, in keeping with public safety concerns. Every effort is made by DOC to begin release planning for SFI inmates before they reach their minimum sentence, and to release them on furlough or conditional re-entry, and not delay until the inmate has reached his or her maximum.

In the initial stages of the project, AHS provided funding on a case by case basis, as inmates are determined to be eligible for services. AHS and involved DAs may agree to develop a cost effective funding plan for the larger geographic or densely populated areas.  

The units of services reported for people supported by SFI funds has varied signficantly over time.  This is because the number of people supported by SFI funds has decreased as the initiative has tapered off. 

Currently, DMH supports two individuals in the community who were designated SFI with agreements to Designated Agencies. As such, there are limited performance measures we can produce with such a small population.