 |
An electronic circular of the Coalition's Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery
|
|
No. 63, Summer 2010
|
|
|
The Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery provides assistance
to the New York City mental health provider community through
expert trainings, focused technical assistance, evaluation,
information dissemination and special projects.
THE DIRECTOR’S NEW YORK MINUTE The Importance of Social Supports David was a consumer of services who seemed to need a lot of help in order to stay upright. One day, his case manager happened to ask: “David is there anyone you help?” She was astonished with the answer. It turned out that David helped his friend, Sam, with his bus fare when Sam had no money left in his Metro Card. In addition, David also mentioned that he had consoled his friend, Pauline, when her pet cat died, and his friend, Don, who had been recently jilted by his girlfriend. The case manager had significantly underestimated David’s real functional capacity as well as his capacity for empathy. The case manager began asking other consumers the same question and to her great surprise, found that most of the members of her caseload were helping other consumers as well as helping many members of the clinical staff. She had underestimated them all! However, there were other persons, who still isolate themselves. Many people may have withdrawn for a variety of significant reasons: self management of symptoms (e.g. Strauss et al, 1989), while other people talk of loss of sense of self, connection, hope, roles and opportunities; disempowering programs, practices, and environments; prejudice and discrimination in society; and, worst of all, internalized oppression and shame (e.g. Spaniol et al, 1999). Still other reasons include a subset of people who have difficulties reading emotions on other people’s faces known as prosopagnosia (www.faceblind.org/research/). This problem would lead to inappropriate responses and disruption of the ease of conversations which build relationships. If a person is still isolated or has a narrow set of supports (e.g. only family members) there are promising practices which might help to relieve the situation. There are DVDs which can train people to read faces more correctly. There are also Social Skills training programs which utilize coaching, role playing, modeling, and rehearsals, with positive reinforcement for small improvements (e.g. Bellack et al, 1997; Liberman et al, 1998) as well as the Personal Therapy approach (Hogarty et al, 1997). Time also plays a role in the reduction of symptoms, repair of physiological processes, and the restoration of social focus and energies (Harding, 1995). Therein lies several important lessons for us all. 1.) The social support research literature for illnesses of any kind repeatedly finds how very important such support in the survival and recovery process (Callahan, 1990) 2.) We need to ask such questions (e.g. “Who do you help ?”) routinely in order to appreciate the capacities of people with whom we work. 3.) A fast way to measure the strength of and change in an individual’s social support is the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) an 8 item instrument. (Broadhead e al, 1988). 4.) Target the variety and density of social supports available to a person as a treatment goal. Walking on the Rainbow By Eric Lu Eric Lu recently worked as a Junior Fellow in Behavioral Health at the Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery. Through RECOVER e-Works, he showcased recovery stories he collected from people in agencies around New York City in the hope of revealing that recovery from mental health issues is very much possible and expected. Note: The names of the participants in this article have been changed for the purpose of confidentiality. “Recovery is definitely possible for anyone,” Chris emphatically stated. As I looked around the room, I was met with a response of six nodding heads and affirming pairs of eyes. I could feel right then that everyone in here had a story to share and something to teach the rest of us. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with the peer specialist group at The Bridge one rainy afternoon, an organization dedicated to serving those with mental health and substance abuse issues. The peer specialist group, in particular, focused on reaching out to their peers in order to help them recover. Bob Yankowitz, the Deputy Executive Director at The Bridge, and Rochelle Eisner, a supervisor for its Continuing Day Treatment program, invited me to listen to recovery stories from six members of the peer specialist group that day. As I listened to their recovery stories, I couldn’t help noticing a prevailing theme that threaded through each story. The stories were mixed with a sense of shame in what happened, yet pride in what they have been able to do since the onset of their illness – weakness and vulnerability coupled with strength and resilience. Chris talked about feeling worthless when he found himself homeless and without a job. John lamented about his time in jail for 25 years. Kristen grew increasingly hesitant as she started to talk about her suffering as a battered woman. Jane grieved about wanting to commit suicide. And Rachel shared about her frustration when doctors discriminated against her after they found out that she had schizophrenia. The room was somber but immediately overflowed with optimism as each individual started to recount his or her own recovery process. Chris highlighted his promotion as a messenger to a managerial role at his job. John credited the people around him to his progress and is now working to become a peer specialist to help others get better. Kristen bragged about how well her children were doing and how she no longer drinks and uses drugs. Jane drew strength from learning how to advocate for herself. And Rachel published a poem called “I’m Walking on the Rainbow.” Looking around the room, I see a group of strong-minded, determined individuals, who capture the human spirit of self-healing and resiliency. After leaving The Bridge that day, I felt humbled by the courage and strength of these men and women, yet simultaneously I felt encouraged and reaffirmed that recovery is indeed possible. Aaron Vieira Receives Community Service Award The Trustees of Columbia University — Community Support System (CSS) Program presented Aaron Vieira, the Associate Director of the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery, with an award for Distinguished Service to the mental health community. The award recognizes the work Mr. Vieira has done to promote and guide recovery-oriented practice within community mental health programs in New York City. It was presented at the CSS program’s 15th Annual Client Recognition Day ceremony at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem. The ceremony was an inspiring affair that celebrated the progress that CSS clients have made toward building a fuller life in the community. Willie James Prescott, the CSS Program Director (pictured left with Aaron), highlighted the many faces of recovery in the program – individuals who have transitioned to independent housing, individuals who are pursuing a higher level of education, individuals who are gainfully employed, and individuals who have regained custody of their children. Mr. Vieira was honored to share the stage with so many resilient and courageous people, including one who had literally rescued a fellow citizen from a burning building and was seen as a true “hero” by members of the NYPD. “Schizophrenia Bulletin” Editorial about Wrongful Incarceration Three professors of psychiatry (Courtenay Harding, in the U.S. , Luc Ciompi in Switzerland, and Klaus Lehtinen in Finland), have written a recent editorial entitled “Deep Concern” for the Schizophrenia Bulletin ( vol. 36, #3, May 2010 ). These comments discussed our increasing alarm about inappropriate incarcerations of people with serious and persistent psychiatric problems in prisons and jails. Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities for the Department of Corrections Dr. Harding joined Harvey Rosenthal at NYAPRS last week to provide videotaped lectures for NYS Department of Corrections’ personnel. The presentations targeted the possibility of recovery for persons with psychiatric disabilities and practical advice on how to implement strategies within the DOC system to promote the possibility of improvement and recovery. These videotapes will be interspersed with actual stories told by previously incarcerated consumers who have reclaimed their lives. This series is being created by the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. The Transition to Independence Process Experience in New York City The Transition to Independence Process Experience in NYC (TIP) is a report written by Dr. Amy Smiley which tells the story of how the TIP Community was created, how it continues to flourish, and how the TIP model promoted positive change in the culture of a select group of agencies. Also presented is the response to a detailed questionnaire regarding TIP philosophy and practices that was administered to staff implementing the model. This report has been sent to 125 people in TIP agencies and is now up on the Center’s website. (www.coalitionny.org/the_center) Clubhouse of Suffolk Presents at Center’s PROS Learning Collaborative The Center held a PROS Learning Collaborative meeting on June 15th which featured a presentation from Veronica DeKoning (“Roni”) of the Clubhouse of Suffolk. Roni spoke to a group of 35 professionals representing a variety of agencies in New York City, all of whom were eager to learn how to start and successfully run a PROS program. Beyond sharing operational tips, Roni described leadership strategies that have helped to create a strong culture of recovery at her program. These include involving Clubhouse members in the hiring of new PROS staff, co-creating program schedules with staff and members, and providing regular staff supervision and training to support effective teamwork. Taken together, these approaches have helped to build and maintain a culture of recovery that values learning, empowerment, and responsibility, all of which encourages members to create a life beyond the program. Participants in the PROS Learning Collaborative were given ample opportunity to ask Roni questions and exchange ideas with each other. In the last hour of the meeting, David Bucciferro and Susan Friedlander of the State Office of Mental Health joined the discussion and addressed questions regarding regulatory compliance and effective programming. Given the success of these meetings, the Center plans to continue them next fiscal year MBI-WPD Contract Renewed The Center is pleased to announce that it has received renewed funding from the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to continue providing strategic outreach to increase enrollment in the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities (MBI-WPD). Margie Staker and Pat Feinberg, the Center’s experts on benefits, are still available to visit agencies to deliver presentations on MBI to staff and consumers. Our experience has been that many agencies are even more interested about who is eligible for Medicaid as they rely on PROS funding. This may be the solution to consumers who are reluctant to move into work for fear of losing their health coverage. Center staff are scheduled for deputization training in early August and we will be letting people know the outcome of that in the next issue. Stay tuned! We would like to remind you all that we may be able to assist you should you come across a sticky issue with the MBI-WPD. Contact us here to talk it over: 212 742 1600 Pat ext 236 and Margie ext 237.
New Ticket to Work – Partnership Plus Webinar for ENs and Potential ENs Description: The Social Security Administration (SSA), CESSI, the Ticket to Work Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach, and MAXIMUS, the Ticket Program Operations Support Manager, collectively invite you to participate in a Ticket to Work Webinar for current and prospective Employment Networks (ENs). This webinar will explore the many opportunities offered for creating partnerships to help Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities enter, maintain and advance in employment. Organization: SSA, CESSI, MAXIMUS National Association of Peer Specialists’ Annual Conference Description: The Purpose of this organization is to increase the popularity of hiring peer specialist. We hope to add new members so we will be able to grow and expand. We also want to have fun while we are together and working on projects. By developing relationships and friendships, the organization will become even stronger. Our mission is to further promote the interests of our organization and our members to the community. We strive to make a difference by educating the public and expanding our reach. Organization: National Association of Peer Specialists Public Hearing on the 2010-2014 Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health Services Description: The development of this year’s Statewide Comprehensive Plan, known as the 5.07 Plan, is under way. The Plan will continue to tap into the experience of individuals and families engaged in treatment and services and serve as a foundation for transforming care. It will do this by providing glimpses of the positive influence that traditional mental health and nontraditional agencies, programs and organizations throughout the State are having on the lives of adults, children, and families who are engaged in mental health services and supports. Organization: NYS Office of Mental Health Albany New York City Syracuse Improving the Physical Health of Latinos and African Americans with Serious Mental Illness Webinar Description: The NYS Office of Mental Health Bureau of Cultural Competence will host its fifth monthly Cultural Competence Webinar titled Improving the Physical Health of Latinos and African Americans with Serious Mental Illness . The webinar will be presented by Dr. Doris Chang of the NYS Psychiatric Institute (PI). Organization: NYS Office of Mental Health BU Conference “Employment for Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities” Description: The first day of the workshop addresses strategies for helping with individual's motivations for employment as well as understanding the needs of employers and how to make the best match. The second day will address how to build hope for employment especially with consideration of complex cultural issues. Trainers include: Elisabeth Sanders-Park (WorkNet Solutions), Maria Restrepo-Toro, (BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation) and Oscar Jimenez, (New York Assn. of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services). All are invited but the workshop will be most useful to those who have a role in helping persons with lived experience to achieve meaningful employment. Organization: The BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation NYAPRS 28th Annual Conference Description: Over the course of three days of the conference, we will offer a chocked-full program with over 75 workshops & plenary presentations and an expanded Health, Healing & Arts Fair that will celebrate and advance several key themes, most notably Health and Healing, Advocacy and Empowerment, Self Determination, Community Integration, New and Exemplary Models, Peer Support and Peer-Run Services, PROS and Clinic Initiatives, Cultural and linguistic Competence, and Administration and Management. Organization: NYAPRS NYSRA Rehabilitation Summit and Employment Institute Description: The New York State Rehabilitation Association will hold its Rehabilitation Summit and its Employment Institute this September at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. Early registration deadline is September 7, 2010. The topics offered at the Rehabilitation Summit have been designed to meet the needs of program managers and supervisors, rehabilitation counselors, direct support professionals, service coordinators, training professionals, CEOs & administrators, senior executives, clinicians, school personnel, and self-advocates/peers. Up to 15 CRC Credits will be offered. The Employment Institute’s topic will be Employment for People with Disabilities: Strategies, Positive Outcomes, and Change. Organization: NYS Rehabilitation Association Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation has developed two new curricula for different audiences and purposes, yet both include strategies for confronting prejudice and discrimination experienced by people with psychiatric disabilities:
For any questions, contact Sue McNamara by e-mail at [email protected] or by at (617) 358-2574 |
|
The Coalition Home | Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery | Site Map
Tel: (212) 742-1600 Fax: (212) 742-2132