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 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 credentialing.   If training fees are prohibitive to your agency’s registration, please contact Alysia Pascaris at 212-742-1600, x201

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

Benefits Management for Transition Aged Youth

This training will focus on a number of topical areas pertaining to benefits and entitlements issues specific to transition aged youth. Specifically: eligibility requirements for a wide array of Social Security benefits including SSI, and how living situations impact upon benefit eligibility. This training will be of great utility to providers serving transition aged youth and help to answer many of the questions often raised by these consumers and their families.  Fee: $25

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

Ask the Expert: Solving Your Real-World Benefits Dilemmas

This full day session is an opportunity for providers to pose benefits-related questions drawn from their work with consumers of mental health services.  Led by Edwin Lopez-Soto, Esq., nationally recognized benefits expert, this highly interactive training will allow attendees to receive both expert guidance and learn from other colleagues in the field.  This is an ideal follow-up to those who have attended previous trainings in this series.  Fee: $25

Center Staff Appear on NAMI’S Mental Health Update Television Program

Alysia Pascaris, Marc Kutner and Pat Feinberg discussed the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery’s promotion of systemic change efforts toward the integration of rehabilitation and recovery-enhancing services within New York City’s behavioral health care sector.  Pat Feinberg had the opportunity to discuss her expanding role co-facilitating the Center’s borough-based Introduction to Benefits Management training series.  The incorporation of Pat’s consumer perspective and systems knowledge has proven to be a popular addition.  Over 100 participants have taken part in sessions presented at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health and the Howie T. Harp Peer Advocacy Center. To watch this half hour interview and learn more about the Center, tune into NAMI’s Mental Health Update with Easy Klein on Time Warner Cable’s channel 57 on April 9, at 9:00am.

Center’s Youth Initiative

a. Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model Site Update

The six TIP model sites came together for the second TIP Cross-Site Forum on March 12-14. TIP experts Drs. Hewitt “Rusty” Clark and Mason Haber provided enhanced TIP implementation technical assistance. Site presentations indicated significant progress toward integrating the TIP model, including: use of TIP transition domains to enhance assessment and articulation of client needs; revision of assessment and treatment plan tools to include emphasis on strengths, goal-setting, and family and other community involvement in treatment; fostering youth voice in programs by instituting leadership councils, community meetings; and entrepreneurial programs; outreach to community partners for employment and leisure activities.

b. Youth Initiative Work Group

The next Work Group meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 23, 9:30am-11:30am at The Coalition’s 90 Broad St. offices, 8th floor conference room. This session will focus on identifying gaps in services for transition aged youth and proposing solutions. Ultimately, these recommendations will comprise a report to be presented to the Coalition’s board of directors for future discussion. 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]

c. Youth Initiative Training Update

The third session of our six part training series with WAVE Inc., (Work, Achievement, Values and Education), Developing Employment Solutions for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents and Young Adults, entitled Experiential Training/Discipline with Dignity, took place on March 15. This session provided a variety of useful learning strategies and training group management concepts that foster training group member involvement, improve learning and recall, and reduce disciplinary problems. Theory and experience related to working with youth in the training area were critical components of this session. Our fourth session on May 16, Job Readiness, will explore how to effectively help youth find, get, keep, and appropriately change jobs. Participants will observe, experience, and practice job readiness lessons and concepts.

 *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’ Professional Learning Center:

a. Management Training Series

This training series is designed specifically for new managers.  Upcoming topics include: Growing in Your Role as a Manager (4/10), Financial Management (4/26 and 5/14), Human Resources Issues (5/31) and Management Tools (6/8). Cost is $45 per session Coalition Members/ $75 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.coalitionny.org/prof_learn_ctr/mti/index.html

b. Medicare Part D Training

To learn more about the latest changes to the Medicare Part D benefit, the Coalition is offering a Medicare Part D Breakfast Tuesday, April 24, 9:00am-10:30am and an Introduction to Medicare Part D on Friday April 27, 9:30am -11:30am.  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

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Training for the Treatment of Children & Youth With Trauma Based Disorders and/or Depressive Symptoms

OMH is offering clinical training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to facilitate recovery among children and youth by increasing the availability of evidence-based treatments. The three-day training program for children/youth family providers will be followed by a full year of twice monthly telephone consultations to facilitate implementation of these treatments. Clinicians completing the training, consultation calls and the treatment requirements will receive a certificate from OMH. For more information, contact Janet Chassman, Director, Trauma Unit, New York State Office of Mental Health at 518-473-3269. Registration is ongoing.

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC): AOT Symposium For Community Providers, Supporting Recovery for Individuals with AOT Orders

These are full-day symposia for staff from continuing day treatment programs, outpatient clinics, residential facilities, IPRTs and PHPs. The Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies’ Aaron Viera, LMSW, Coordinator of Education and Training, Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery will present alongside OMH AOT researchers, borough AOT team members, and consumers with AOT experience. Presentation topics include: Dispelling the Myths of AOT, Defining Provider Roles and Responsibilities, Strategies for Engaging Individuals in a Recovery Process, The Latest Evaluation Findings on AOT and Recovery and The Consumer Perspective on the AOT Experience. The symposia will take place on: May 1, Elmhurst Hospital (Queens) 8:30 – 4:00, May 8, Metropolitan Hospital (Manhattan) 8:30 – 4:00, May 15, Lincoln Hospital (Bronx) 8:30 – 4:00, May 22, South Beach Psych. Center (Staten Island) 8:30 – 4:00, June 5, Woodhull Hospital (Brooklyn), 8:30 – 4:00. To register, contact Sonia Jackson at 212-868-6708 or [email protected].  This event is free and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

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. 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?  For more information and to register, please go to: https://protected.accountsupport.com/pdeegan/training_registration.php

Training Resource Network (TRN): Marketing and Job Development for Youth and Adults with Disabilities

This two week online course scheduled for April 11-24, covers the key principles and hands-on tools for finding jobs for people with disabilities and other high-unemployment groups.  Modules include: Introduction to Job Placement, Marketing Research, Marketing Tools for Job Placement Programs, Job Development Principles and Job Development Tools. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.trninc.com/entry/welcome2.asp

United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA):

a. Changing the World:  Developing welcoming integrated systems of care for individuals with mental health and substance disorders

This web conference on April 9, 1:00-2:30 pm will identify research based principles of successful treatment interventions for people with co-occurring disorders in the context of a parallel disease and recovery integrated conceptual framework relevant to both the addiction field and the mental health fields. To learn more and to register, go to: http://www.uspra.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=4003

b. Five Part Training Series: Forwarding the Recovery Paradigm

The four remaining sessions of this series will focus on:  Creating a Recovery Based Mental Health Program, April 4, 3:00-4:30pm, Putting Recovery Skills into Practice, April 18, 3-4:30 Forging Your Recovery Path May 2, 3-4:30, Pulling it All Together—Measuring Outcomes and Improving Services May 16, 2007. To learn more and to register, go to: http://www.uspra.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3980
 

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

New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH):

Emergency Regulations Issued Regarding New Comprehensive Outpatient Programs (COPS)

OMH has posted emergency regulations to the NYS Register related to the distinction between COPS and non-COPS Article 31 treatment programs.  The regulations will equalize the regional base Medicaid rates for providers within each of the three Article 31 treatment programs (clinics, continuing day treatment programs, and children’s day treatment programs), and then allow non-COPS programs (referred to in the regulations as “Level II” programs; existing COPS programs are referred to as “Level I”) to receive a COPS supplement of approximately 12% of the new base Medicaid rate. Please note that there will be no fiscal impact from these regulations for “Level I” providers. These emergency regulations expire June 6, 2007.  OMH “intends to adopt this emergency rule as a permanent rule and will publish a notice of proposed rule making in the State Register at some future date.”  For greater detail, please go to the NYS Register at: (http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2007/mar28/pdfs/rules.pdf).  The relevant pages are 26-29.

New Position Created at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

The Division of Mental Hygiene in the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has created an innovative new position, a Family Advisor, to work with the Office of Child and Adolescent Services. This key position will bring a much valued parent/caregiver's voice to DOHMH in order to improve the services and supports offered to families and further promote family-driven care in NYC. The family advisor will be a parent/caregiver of a child with an emotional or behavioral disorder who has had experience with the children's mental health system. This person will add a family perspective to the work of the Division and the services offered as part of their local decision-making functions. For more information about the position, view the job posting on the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies’ job board at:  http://www.coalitionny.org/jobs/.

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].

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Funding Opportunities

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

a. Office of Child and Adolescent Services (OCAS): Coordinated Family Support Network Concept Paper. 

DOHMH has just issued a concept paper for a “Coordinated Family Support Network” proposal that would effectively terminate all existing Family Support Services contracts in favor of five borough-based “Family Resource Centers” and one “Family Support Liaison Center”. DOHMH anticipates that the RFP for these contracts will be released in May 2007, with proposals due soon afterwards.  DOHMH hopes to have selected contractors by July in order to begin operations in April 2008.  To read the concept paper go to: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/acco/2007/acco-concept-mh-20070226.pdf.  Comments on the concept paper should be directed by April 30 to: Joyce Scott, Contracting Officer, Office of the Agency Chief Contracting Officer, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 93 Worth Street, Room 812, New York, NY 10013, (212) 219-5878, [email protected]

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

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.  Per addendum, 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. PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING ON APRIL 16, 2007

c. 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): Deadline Extended

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.  Per addendum, PROPOSALS ARE NOW DUE NO LATER THAN 3:00 pm on APRIL 19, 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 Youth and Community Development (DYCD): Releases Concept Paper for Young Adult Internship Program

(DYCD) is developing a proposal for a Young Adult Internship Program (YAIP) to help disconnected youth ages 16-24 find employment, educational or training opportunities in some of New York City’s highest-need neighborhoods through short-term, paid internships and follow-up services. DYCD will shortly issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for provision of these services for young adults ages 16-24 who are not in school and not working, and who live in areas with high rates of poverty and disconnected youth. In advance of the release of the RFP, DYCD has developed a Concept Paper, released on March 26. The Concept Paper can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/pdf/cbo-rfp-concept-paper-yaip.pdf. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

a. 2007 Access to Recovery Grant Program (TI-07-005)

Up to $96 million in grant funding from SAMHSA will continue Access to Recovery programs across the country.  Up to 18 awards will be funded. Recipients of these competitive grants will have broad discretion to design and implement federally supported programs to pay for a range of effective faith- and community-based substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services.  Applications are due by June 8, 2007.  To read the application, go to: http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/index.aspx

b. Alternatives to Restraint and Seclusion Grants (SM-07-005)

SAMHSA is soliciting applications to support States in their efforts to adopt best practices to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion in institutional and community- based settings that provide mental health services, including services for people with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. States will be able to increase the number of programs that implement alternative models to reduce/eliminate restraint and seclusion, including staff training models and other multi-faceted approaches, and collect data to measure the impact of these models on reducing the use of seclusion and restraint. It is expected that up to $1.7 million will be available to fund up to 8 awards.  Annual award amounts are expected to be about $214,000 per year in total cost for up to three years. Applications must be received by May 11, 2007. Applications are available by calling SAMHSA's Clearinghouse at 1-877-SAMHSA7, or by downloading from www.samhsa.gov/grants/index.aspx or http://www.grants.gov/.

Applicants with questions should contact John Morrow at [email protected]. 

 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 Journal of Psychiatry: 

a. Cognitive Training for Supported Employment: 2-3 Year Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial

This article co-authored by Alysia Pascaris, Director, Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery, examines the feasibility of integrating a cognitive rehabilitation program, the “Thinking Skills for Work Program,” into supported employment programs. To read this article, go to: http://www.coalitionny.org/ccrr/projects/documents/CogTrainingAmJPsychiatry0307.pdf

b. Effects of Antipsychotic Medications on Psychosocial Functioning in Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia: Findings From the NIMH CATIE Study/Effectiveness of Olanzapine, Quetiapine, and Risperidone in Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia After Discontinuing Perphenazine: A CATIE Study

Two new studies from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials for Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) provide more insights into comparing treatment options, and to what extent antipsychotic medications help people with schizophrenia learn social, interpersonal and community living skills. CATIE, a $42.6 million, multi-site study, was funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). To read these abstracts and to access the current issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, please go to: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/current.dtl * To view full text, subscription is required.

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 or 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/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

a. Building a Better Behavioral Health Workforce

Two publications are now available to help mental health and substance abuse professionals organize and strengthen efforts around workforce development.  An Action Plan for Behavioral Health Workforce Development provides an overview of key findings of a multi-year process that showed how public and private collaboration can strengthen the behavioral health workforce.  Strengthening Professional Identity: Challenges of the Addictions Treatment Workforce summarizes trends in addictions treatment that will help mental health and substance abuse professionals understand challenges facing the addictions treatment workforce.  To read these publications, go to: http://www.samhsa.gov/matrix2/matrix_workforce.aspx.

b. Searchable Database of Evidence-Based Practices in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

The new National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is now available. This searchable database is designed to help organizations make informed decisions about evidence-based interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. To access the NREPP, go to:  www.nrepp.samhsa.gov

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