CTI is a time-limited intervention that overlaps the period before and after discharge from the institution to the community. The intervention, involves two components: (1) strengthening the individual's long-term ties to services, family, and friends; and (2) providing emotional and practical support during the transition. Postdischarge services are delivered by workers who have established relationships with patients during their institutional stay. CTI is intended to be used with individuals leaving institutions such as shelters, hospitals, and jails. The intervention is delivered in three main phases: (1) transition to the community, which focuses on providing intensive support and assessing the resources that exist for the transition of care to community providers; (2) tryout, which involves testing and adjusting the systems of support that were developed in the first phase; and (3) transfer of care, which completes the transfer of care to community resources that will provide long-term support. The emphasis, however, is on maintaining continuity of care during a critical period of transition, whereas primary responsibility is gradually passed to the existing supports in the community. Another study investigated the cost-effectiveness of the CTI program, and found that it is not only an effective method to reduce recurrent homelessness among persons with severe mental illness but also represents a cost-effective alternative to the status quo.