Outside In

Outside In is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to providing comprehensive social services, healthcare, and housing support to vulnerable populations, particularly focusing on homeless youth, LGBTQI individuals, and those experiencing mental health or substance abuse challenges. Registered in SAM.gov since 2003, the organization has established itself as a critical service provider in the Portland metropolitan area, offering a range of programs designed to address complex social and health-related needs of marginalized communities.

Through federal grant awards, Outside In has consistently secured funding from multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Bureau of Primary Health Care. The organization's grant-funded activities encompass a wide array of services such as permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, outpatient counseling, mental health treatment, and integrated behavioral health services. Specific grant programs include the Continuum of Care Program, which aims to quickly house homeless individuals and families, the Outpatient Counseling Program serving homeless youth with serious mental illness, and COVID-19 vaccination expansion initiatives. Outside In has also received sub-grants from the Oregon Health Authority for immunization cooperative agreements, epidemiology and laboratory capacity for infectious diseases, and substance abuse programs. Their evidence-based approach includes treatments like Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, culturally appropriate care that supports self-sufficiency and improved life outcomes for their target populations.