Virginia Street Project Acknowledgement from Nikki Chrisman

Our boss at Virginia Street project was Nikki Chrisman.  We were part of a longitudinal study about whether or not intensive services to those with serious mental illness could improve the quality of life, while also saving money.  This study concluded that both of these could be achieved.  Money savings came from keeping patients out of intensive high-cost services.  There was a comparison between Community Companions (now part of Momentum) Down town Mental Health and Virginia Street Project.  Although Virginia Street Project was the most costly, it also saved the most money by diverting people from the hospital and keeping them out.  Nikki would contract cancer and pass away shortly after this.