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.

Center News

Center’s March-April 2007 Trainings

For more information and to register for any of the below trainings, please visit the Center’s webpage, http://www.coalitionny.org/ccrr/ . As demand very often exceeds available space, we encourage you to register yourself or your staff as soon as possible.

*All Center trainings can be used toward CPRP and CRC credentialing.

Introduction to Benefits Management

A half-day training offered in various locations across the city designed for clinicians and other staff new to benefits to: understand the fundamentals of the Social Security System, comprehend the difference between SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare, gain specific knowledge of resources that support consumers in their living and working goals, and enhance the ability of consumers to participate in their recovery process.

Fee: None

Intensive Benefits Management

Positioned as an in-depth follow up to our introductory training, this 2 day course is designed for staff delivering benefits counseling in various mental health settings to both expand existing knowledge and acquire effective strategies to better assist consumers learn the skills necessary to utilize SSA work incentives towards career development, understand the effects of income and resources on SSI eligibility, obtain knowledge on how legislative changes affect consumers, acquire the fundamental skills to act as an advocate in your current role, enhance the ability of consumers to participate in their recovery process, and apply newly acquired systems knowledge through case studies. 

Fee: $50 per person

Core Competencies: Introduction to Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery

This two day training is designed for front-line staff working in community support programs requiring basic knowledge in psychiatric rehabilitation, the role of treatment, and evidence-based practices. The two-day module includes: an overview of mental health and mental illness, history of mental illness treatment, information on psychiatric rehabilitation, recovery and resilience, discussion of the values and guiding principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery and how these translate for individual consumers, service providers, programs and mental health systems

Fee: $50 per person

Core Competencies: Recovery-Oriented Connecting and Counseling

Engagement and counseling skills constitute the foundation of therapeutic relationships, be they in formal clinical settings or in the context of focused service delivery, such as housing, case management or employment. All mental health staff in direct contact with consumers-individually, in groups or in other modalities-can benefit from this full-day session designed to facilitate the recovery process.  This training will enable staff to gain an understanding of basic interpersonal dynamics; increase interpersonal competencies and communications skills; improve engagement skills; establish trust through active listening; enhance approaches to working individually with consumers; facilitate groups.

Fee: $25 per person

Center Delivers Training for Welcoming Clinics

At the request of DOHMH’s Bureau of Planning, Evaluation and Quality Improvement, the Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery developed a presentation on strategies for promoting recovery-enhancing services in Article 31 Clinics. On January 23rd, Aaron Vieira, the Center’s Coordinator of Education and Training, delivered an interactive training on the topic to a large group of agency administrators, program directors and psychologists who had come together for a Welcoming Clinics project meeting.  The DOHMH team managing the project was particularly pleased with the balance that the presentation offered between clinical techniques and program-wide strategies for creating a recovery-oriented culture.

Center’s Youth Initiative

Youth Initiative Work Group

On January 24, 2007, the Youth Initiative Work Group convened to focus on the ways that providers can enhance their support of youth and young adults in psychiatric treatment. Guest speakers Myla Harrison, MD, Assistant Commissioner, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Child and Adolescent Services; Reese Abright, MD, Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, St. Vincent's Hospital - Manhattan, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, New York Medical College; and Susan M. Deakins, MD, Associate Director, Fellowship in Public Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, addressed this question from a systems, community and clinical perspective. Forthcoming Work Groups will address areas such as the inclusion of family in youth-centered treatment, violence prevention and enhancing services for young adults entering the adult provider system. 

The next Work Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 9:30am-11:30am at The Coalition’s 90 Broad St. offices, 8th floor conference room. If you have questions, please contact Amy Smiley, Ph.D., the Center’s Youth Consultant at [email protected]  or Alysia Pascaris, the Center’s Director at [email protected]

Training and Technical Assistance Update

The Center continues its ongoing consultation to Transition to Independence Process (TIP) model sites. Throughout the month of March, cross-site forums are scheduled where each model site will have the opportunity to share their experiences with the process of implementing the TIP system at their particular agencies.  Additionally, the third session of our six part training series, Developing Employment Solutions for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents and Young Adults, entitled Experiential Training/Discipline with Dignity, will take place on March 15th, 2007.

 *We are no longer accepting new registrations for this series as we have reached capacity.  For more information about our Youth Initiative and to download presentations and information, please go to: http://www.coalitionny.org/ccrr/seminars/youth_initiative.html

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Education and Training

Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies: Medicare Part D Breakfast

To learn more about the latest changes to the Medicare Part D benefit, the Coalition is offering a Medicare Part D Breakfast Tuesday, March 27th, 2007, 9:00am-10:30am. Following a quick review of what Medicare Part D is about and updates on the latest news, this is an opportunity to discuss issues of concern to you and your clients.  A light breakfast will be served.  If you would like to attend, please contact Karyn Krampitz at [email protected]. 

To learn more about future training opportunities through the Coalition’s Professional Learning Center, please go to: www.coalitionny.org

Patricia Deegan, PhD: Common Ground: Recovery Oriented Practice Training Institute

This two day training institute will be held at Boston University's Corporate Education Center on April 10 & 11, 2007. Training topics include: How do recovery values and principles get applied when clients are making choices that seem to be self-defeating or that pose safety concerns? How do the principles of choice and self determination get applied in practical ways when clients are not using psychiatric medications as prescribed? How are staff to establish professional boundaries that support, rather than hinder recovery?  Participants will leave with practical solutions and skills that can be shared with co-workers in your agency. For more information and to register, please go to: https://protected.accountsupport.com/pdeegan/training_registration.php

Substance Abuse Mental and Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Mental Illness (ADS Center) — Archived Training Teleconference Calls

The archived recordings of these training teleconferences are sponsored by the SAMHSA Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center), a project of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To access these free trainings, please go to:  http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/archtel.htm.

Training Resource Network (TRN): Online Training, Career Development: Using Principles of Discovery and Career Enhancement

This 2 week online course being offered on February 28th - March 14th, 2007 will focus on principles of career planning, vocational assessment, career development, and how to develop vocational profiles.  Job developers and other staff working in vocational settings would find this training of particular interest. To learn more and to register, please go to: http://www.trninc.com/entry/welcome2.asp

United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA): Assessing and Addressing Trauma and PTSD within Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Many adults in recovery have undetected and unaddressed histories of traumatic abuse. This audio/web conference to be held on March 14th, 2007, 3:00-4:30 pm will focus on assessing and addressing trauma among people in psychiatric rehabilitation programs, and will provide strategies for working with survivors of trauma and PTSD. For more information and to register, please go to: http://www.uspra.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3976

University of Illinois at Chicago, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy: National Research and Training Center Webcast Series: Grading the Evidence for Consumer-Driven Services

This webcast describes the evidence base for consumer-operated, delivered, and centered services, where people in recovery control the kinds of help they get, from whom, and in what settings. Specific levels of evidence for models such as recovery self-management, drop-in centers, advance directives, and self-directed care are discussed. Special attention is paid to the results of the national multi-site research study of consumer-operated service programs or COSP, directed by people in recovery, and funded by CMHS.  To download this presentation, please go to: http://www.psych.uic.edu/uicnrtc/webcast1.htm

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News Briefs and Events

Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation: The Challenge of Promoting Health in Persons with Serious Mental Illnesses -- from Science to Service

Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and the School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry are partnering together in conjunction with Bayridge Hospital for a series of seminars that promote a comprehensive and integrated approach to health and mental health care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. These seminars inform practitioners and decision makers about needs and strategies, as well as demonstrate effective models of service delivery that bridge that gap between medicine, psychiatry, and rehabilitation. This event will take place on March 28th – 31st, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Cambridge, MA.  For more information or to register, please go to: http://www.bu.edu/cme/seminars/SCISERVICE07/agenda.html .

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): 7th New Freedom Initiative Conference

CMS is hosting its 7th New Freedom Initiative Conference entitled "Access to Community Living: Promoting Independence and Choice" on March 5th -7th, 2007 at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott Hotel in Baltimore, MD. The 2007 conference will focus on policies, programs and tools, including opportunities authorized by the Deficit reduction Act of 2007.  The agenda will include presentations on CMS's Roadmap for Reform and perspectives from consumers and advocates. Concurrent sessions will address components of programs that promote independence and choice. Participants will have opportunities to meet with CMS officials to discuss the roadmap, the options available and give their recommendations for reform.  For more information and to register, go to:

http://www.nashp.org/_catdisp_page.cfm?LID=EF15BBC8-AF14-4F12-9534B1F025AD7AB1

National Association of Social Workers New York City Chapter: The 39th Annual Addictions Institute From Prevention to Motivation: The Evolving Role of Social Work Practice in the Addictions

The Addictions Committee of the New York City Chapter of The National Association of Social Workers presents The 39th Annual Addictions Institute From Prevention to Motivation: The Evolving Role of Social Work Practice in the Addictions on Thursday, March 15, 2007 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus, 113 West 66th Street at Columbus Avenue. Keynote addresses include "Substance Use Disorders: Why Are Some Of Us More Vulnerable Than Others?" and "The Role of the Social Worker as Motivator in the Clinical Relationship." For more information about this conference, please go to: http://www.naswnyc.org/addictionsinstitute/documents/AddictionsBrochureFinal.pdf

Supportive Housing Network of New York:  Supportive Housing: the Next Generation

The Supportive Housing Network of New York is asking for workshop proposals for its 7th Annual Supportive Housing Statewide Conference to be held Thursday June 7th at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan.  The conference will focus on new housing models, the latest research, partnerships, new financing models & funding streams, green design and housing new populations, in addition to workshops on advocacy and policy.

Network members are asked to suggest ideas for workshops, along with possible presenters and format suggestions.  Ideally, submissions will fall under one or more of the topics listed above.  Please direct questions to Blanca Ramirez, Director of Member Services, at (212)870-3303x3, [email protected]. Submissions are due no later than March 16th, 2007. Your submission must be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to (212) 870-3334 by the deadline to be reviewed.

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Funding Opportunities

Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation: Support Programs for Adults with Disabilities

The Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation (http://www.ela.org/ ) awards funds in the areas of arts, advocacy, and education to nonprofit organizations that are led by or support adults with disabilities. The foundation encourages distinctive projects that change the face of disability in a community. These programs impact the lives of people with disabilities and are supported by the local community, including foundations, corporations, and individual funders. Grant requested must be for programs in the area of arts, advocacy, or education and must serve adults over the age of 22 with disabilities. Applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) designated organizations that have been in existence for two years or longer.

Deadlines: March 15, 2007, and September 15, 2007

For more information, including program guidelines and application procedures, visit ELA’s website at: http://www.ela.org  The RFP can be downloaded at: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10005731/ela

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH):

a. New York/New York III Congregate Supported Housing for Homeless Individuals and Families (PIN #: 08PO 0763)

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is seeking to establish 3,000 Units of citywide supportive housing in newly constructed or rehabilitated single-site buildings for various homeless populations pursuant to the New York/New York III Supportive Housing agreement. As a minimum qualification requirement for (1) the serious and persistent mentally ill populations, the proposer must be incorporated as a not-for-profit organizations, and (2) for the young adult populations, the proposer must document site control and identify the source of the capital funding being used to construct or renovate the building. The subject RFP will be open-ended and proposals will be accepted on an on-going basis.

There will be a pre-proposal conference on March 6, 2007 at 2:00 pm, located at 125 Worth Street, 2nd Floor Auditorium. Any questions regarding this RFP must be sent in writing in advance to Karen Mankin at 93 Worth St., Room 812, New York, NY 10013 or faxed to (212) 219-5890. All questions submitted will be answered at the Pre-Proposal conference.

Proposals must be hand delivered to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 93 Worth Street, Room 812 Attn:  Karen Mankin, Contracting Officer between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm on business days. Submissions are rolling for this RFP.

b. New York/New York III Scattered Site Supported Housing Programs for At Risk Young Adults Leaving Foster Care and Homeless Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorders (PIN# 08PO 0825)

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is seeking to establish 850 units of citywide scattered-site supportive housing citywide for at-risk young adults leaving foster care and homeless individuals with substance abuse disorders pursuant to the New York/New York III Supportive Housing agreement. As a minimum qualification requirement for (1) the serious and persistent mentally ill populations, the proposer must be incorporated as a not-for-profit organizations, and (2) for the young adult populations, the proposer must document site control and identify the source of the capital funding being used to construct or renovate the building.

There will be a pre-proposal conference on March 8th, 2007 at 1:00 pm at 22 Reade St., Spector Hall Auditorium. Any questions regarding this RFP must be sent in writing in advance to Karen Mankin at 93 Worth St., Room 812, New York, NY 10013 or faxed to (212) 219-5890. All questions submitted will be answered at the Pre-Proposal conference.

Proposals are due no later than 3:00 pm on March 26th, 2007 and must be hand delivered to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 93 Worth St., Room 812 Attn: Karen Mankin, Contracting Officer at 212-219-5873 or email at [email protected] if you have any questions.

New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS): Community-Based Homeless Prevention Services

DHS seeks appropriately qualified vendors to provide homeless prevention services in four (4) assigned Service Areas to prevent the need for families and individuals to enter the shelter system. The prevention services under this RFP include: (1) identification and resolution of housing problems in the community to avert shelter entry, (2) diversion of shelter applicants, during the shelter application process, by helping them return to stable living environments within their respective communities and (3) aftercare services for families and individuals who move out of shelter to prevent re-entry into shelter.  A copy of the RFP is available for pick-up at DHS, 33 Beaver Street, 13th Floor, Bid Desk, New York, New York or by accessing the documents on-line at www.nyc.gov/cityrecord  until Thursday, February 1, 2007, after which pick-up at 33 Beaver will be the only means of obtaining a copy. If you have any questions please contact Kayona Wall, Contract Officer, (212) 361-8439 or email at [email protected].

Proposal Deadline: March 5, 2007, 2:00pm at the Department of Homeless Services 33 Beaver Street, 13th Floor, Room 1313, New York, New York 10004, Attn: Kayona Wall, Contract Officer.

William T. Grant Foundation:  New Youth Service Improvement Grants Program

The William T. Grant Foundation has recently restructured its Youth Service Grants program, changing it from a program that supported youth services to one that supports efforts to improve these services.  The Youth Service Improvement Grants (YSIG) program focuses on activities conducted by community-based organizations in the New York metropolitan area to improve the quality of services for young people ages 8-25. Proposals for the next round of YSIG funding will be accepted between March 1st and April 30th. Most grants are expected to be close to the maximum amount of $25,000.  For more information, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and deadlines, visit the William T. Grant Foundation website at: http://www.wtgrantfoundation.org/info-url_nocat3042/info-url_nocat_list.htm?attrib_id=4399

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Publications and Reports

American Psychiatric Association (APA): Select Abstracts from the March 2007 Psychiatric Services Journal

Measures and Predictors of Community-Based Employment and Earnings of Persons With Schizophrenia in a Multisite Study

Implementation of Supported Employment for Homeless Veterans With Psychiatric or Addiction Disorders: Two-Year Outcomes

Applying Theory-Driven Approaches to Understanding and Modifying Clinicians' Behavior: What Do We Know?

Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Service Utilization in the United States, Ontario, and the Netherlands

Commentary: Devising Prevention and Treatment Strategies for the Nation's Diverse Populations With Mental Illness

Best Practices: Implementation of a Consumer-Directed Approach in Behavioral Health Care: Problems and Prospects

Economic Grand Rounds: Coverage and Prior Authorization of Psychotropic Drugs Under Medicare Part D

To read these abstracts to subscribe, please go to: http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/current.dtl

Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Select Titles from the Current Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Winter 2007

 The Concept of "Being in Recovery"

System Transformation Through Best Practices

The Recovery Knowledge Inventory: Assessment of Mental Health Staff Knowledge and Attitudes about Recovery

A Group Intervention to Promote Healthy Self-Concepts and Guide Recovery in First Episode Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study

Employing Behavioral Methods to Improve the Context of Care within a Public Psychiatric Hospital: Enhancing Psychosocial Programming

Implementing Program-Wide Awareness about Recovery in a Large Mental Health and Addictions Program

To view complete articles, subscription is required. To subscribe, please go to http://www.bu.edu/cpr/prj/

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group Strategic Plan

On February 7th, 2007 The Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group in The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its 2007 Strategic Action Plan.  This document focuses on achieving a person-centered long-term support system that respects choice, accountability, and State flexibility through seven goals and objectives.    To view, please go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NewFreedomInitiative/02_WhatsNew.asp. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

a. New Report Highlights Housing Solutions for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

The problems with adult homes for people with psychiatric disabilities is the focus of a new report, Transforming Housing for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Report now available from SAMHSA.  The new report offers ten detailed recommendations to improve the quality of life of for adult home residents. In addition, the history, demographics and common concerns of these homes are detailed in-depth. A list of measures being implemented to improve the lives of residents and recommendations calling for a recovery-oriented approach based on the principles of self-direction and community integration are provided as well. Transforming Housing for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Report is available at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma06-4173/.

b. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: After an Attempt. A Guide for Medical Providers in the Emergency Department Taking Care of Suicide Attempt Survivors

The purpose of this brochure is to provide tips to enhance care in the Emergency Department (ED) for people who have attempted suicide, while also providing information on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient discharge, and resources about suicide for medical professionals, patients, and their families.You can download this brochure at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SVP-0161/

Training Resource Network (TRN): Raymond's Room: Ending the Segregation of People with Disabilities

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