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An electronic circular of the Coalition's Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery
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No. 55, October 2009
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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 “Recovery” Is Not Just a Fad
In this issue, I want to talk briefly about “recovery.” Many clinicians and program directors were trained, as I was, to think that regaining marginal improvement or downward course were the only two options open for persons with repeated episodes of serious and persistent psychiatric problems, such as the group of schizophrenias, major depressions, or bipolar disorders. However, there have been over 30 follow-up studies, both short and very long, as well as hundreds of former recipients of services all displaying carefully collected data and brilliant examples about the possibilities of significant improvement and even full recovery. Still today, some clinicians persist in thinking that significant improvement or full recovery for persons, who display profound disabilities and symptoms, is out of the question. These stakeholders persist in this belief even though they have begrudgingly gone along with calling their programs “recovery oriented” and “person centered” etc. In reality, many programs and clinical staff still provide the same services as usual, which have been relabeled hoping that this so-called “recovery” nonsense will blow over. In my experience, the challenge is to 1) set up programs “as if everyone will turn around” to maximize what people can get back since there exist now no predictors of who will or will not turn around; and 2) to dare to put aside all that wonderful training received through copious hard work as professionals and sit with recipients, as one human being to another, in order to see the real person underneath the disorder. Finding a person’s old hopes and dreams begins the rebuilding a life of meaning and purpose. Often, having the person begin to help others, no matter how disabled he or she is currently, helps to reclaim hope, resilience, and a life. Let recipients amaze and astonish you! _____________________________________________________________________ Davidson, L, Harding, C.M., & Spaniol, L. (Eds.). Research on Recovery from Severe Mental Illness: 30 years of Accumulating Evidence and Its Implications for Practice. (Vol. 1), Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, 2005. Davidson, L, Harding, C.M., & Spaniol, L. (Eds.). Research on Recovery from Severe Mental Illness: 30 years of Accumulating Evidence and Its Implications for Practice. (Vol. 2), Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, 2006. Harding, C.M.: Changes in schizophrenia across time: paradoxes, patterns, and predictors. In: Carl Cohen (Ed.) SCHIZOPHRENIA INTO LATER LIFE: Treatment, Research and Policy. APPI Press, 2003, pp.19-42. Staff Updates Aaron Vieira, LMSW, Appointed Associate Director
Pat Feinberg, MS, Promoted to Peer Educator Position
Special Projects Center Provides Consultation and Training for Peer Advocacy Program at Institute for Community Living (ICL) Center staff, Marie Sabatino, continues to participate in a steering committee to provide consultation on the development and implementation of The Peer Advocacy Program at ICL’s Emerson Davis Family Center. Developed in partnership with the NYS Office of Mental Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, and other key stakeholders, ICL’s Peer Advocacy Program aims to empower graduates of the Family Center to help their peers achieve recovery goals. This past summer, Marie Sabatino, delivered a full day training, Leading the Way to Recovery: Using Our Stories to Inspire Change, that emphasized use of self via storytelling as a way to inspire change and stimulate recovery. Pat Feinberg, the Center’s Peer Educator, was invited to serve as a guest presenter who shared her own story about her changing role from recipient of services to mental health educator and advocate. Ms. Feinberg returned to ICL’s Peer Advocacy Program to deliver a workshop on the Medicaid-Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities. Medicaid Buy-In Enrollment Facilitation Moving Full Speed Ahead Do you know anyone with a disability who is working, wants to work or plans to go to work? Most agree that learning the Ins and Outs of disability benefits and maintaining health care coverage is complex and often leaves people unclear about which direction to go. If someone you know has a disability and is working, even one hour per week, that could mean that s/he is eligible for Medicaid through the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities. This program best suits adults who already receive SSDI or who are working and never received benefits. Pat Feinberg and Margie Staker of The Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery are working specifically with individuals and agencies to assist people successfully apply for this health care benefit. They are happy to come out to your agency to discuss this new program with you and your members and may be reached for more information at 212.742.1600, ext 236 or 237 and/or pfeinberg@coalitionny.org or mstaker@coalitionny.org The Project on Young Adults in Transition is pleased to announce the launching of its Storytelling Project There is a growing body of research and empirical evidence of a real link between storytelling and the recovery process. Stories provide a narrative framework for people to find meaning in their lives in their own unique voice. For those living on the margins or who are disenfranchised in some way, telling one’s story is an empowering means of self-expression and can aid in the battle against stigma. The Center is encouraging mental health and related staff to engage their young adults (ages 14-29) in this Project, and encourage them to i) tell their own stories through verbal and/or visual images and ii) elicit stories from people in the community who have something important to say and who might be experiencing social isolation. The Center plans to host a special event featuring the stories of these young adults in the spring of 2010, for those who would like to participate. This event would offer them to opportunity to share their stories with a wider community. For further information about the Storytelling Project or possible technical assistance, contact Amy Smiley, Project Manager, at 212-742-1600, x 206 or at asmiley@coalitionny.org.
Introduction to Benefits Management FREE half day training offered in various locations across the city designed for clinicians and other staff interested in learning the nuts and bolts of benefits management. The latest changes in SSA guidelines will also be discussed. Date/Time: Three dates left – see Center website for details. Introduction to Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Recovery This two-day training is designed for mental health staff in various roles and settings who seek the most up-to-date information and resources on mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation and promising practices that promote recovery. Participants will explore the value and guiding principles of recovery and how these translate for consumers, practitioners, programs and mental health systems. Note: Special guest presenter, Matt Wofsy, Director of Best-Practice & Evidence-Based Initiatives, Institute for Community Living, will discuss the latest in evidence-based practice strategies that support a person’s recovery and self-growth. Date/Time: Thursday, October 29th - Friday, October 30th, 9:30am – 4:30pm Recovery is Working This two day training is designed for mental health providers in various roles and settings who seek to help consumers achieve their employment goals. After exploring the role of work in recovery, participants will learn about supported employment as an evidence-based practice and other vocational services in New York City. By the end of the training, participants will be better equipped to inspire, support and advocate for consumers who are pursuing employment and/or career advancement. Date/Time: Wednesday, November 4th - Thursday, November 5th, 9:30am – 4:30pm To register for any Center training, please go to: www.coalitionny.org/the_center/training/ Note: If you are typing the URL in your browser, the space between “the” and “center” is in reality an underscore symbol “_”. Other Community Events & News NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene / Office of Consumer Affairs Title: Consumer Educational Forum on PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP) Title: MHEP 2009 Annual Conference United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA) Title: The Consortium of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Educators (CPRE) Symposium The International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery (INTAR) Title: Rethinking Psychiatric Crisis: Alternative Responses to "First Breaks" NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, Office of Behavioral Health Job Posting: Assistant Director for Consumer Affairs and Recovery Initiatives Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation New publication, The Recovery Workbook: Practical Coping and Empowerment Strategies for People with Psychiatric Disability Revised Edition, www.bu.edu/cpr/products/curricula/recovery.html Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) New publication, Questions and Answers on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/qanda_adaaa_nprm.html National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Featured publications include, Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health and Consumers in the Mental Health Workforce, www.store.thenationalcouncil.org/catalog/list_products?category=3 Mental Health News New fall 2009 publication, The Economy’s Impact on People and Community Services, www.mhnews.org New York Department of State, Division of Administrative Rules New regulations (including emergency regulations for PROS), NYS Register, www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2009/sep16/pdfs/rules.pdf New York State Office of Mental Health New report, Draft Version, New York State Office of Mental Health 2009 – 2013 Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health Services, www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/planning/statewide_plan/2009_to_2013/plan.pdf |
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As the new director of the Center, I have decided to add my two cents worth about various challenges facing clinicians, recipients of care, agencies that run the programs and the entities which pay the bills. These monthly notes will contain only observations, humble opinions and nothing academic. Even though I have been a professor for over 25 years, I will try to write in plain English.
We are delighted to announce that on September 1st Aaron Vieira was promoted to the position of Associate Director in the Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery. Aaron previously served as the Center’s Director of Education and Training. In that role, he managed the Center’s training operations and provided organizational consulting that focused on integrating person-centered, recovery principles into the managerial culture and clinical practice of mental health agencies. Through his work, Aaron has developed relationships with a wide array of stakeholders and has gained an understanding of the many complex challenges and opportunities for increasing service quality and accountability. In his new position, Aaron will assume greater responsibility for the management of the Center’s daily operations. In addition, he will continue to direct the Center’s training and consultation services.
The Coalition’s Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery is pleased to announce that Pat Feinberg has been promoted to the position of Peer Educator. Over the past two years, Pat has shined as co-facilitator of the Center’s popular training: Introduction to Benefits Management. She has been a valued member of the planning committee for the New York City Annual Peer Specialist Conference. Pat has also published her own inspirational story of recovery in articles for Mental Health News and New York Non-Profit Press. Currently, she is working on a project to increase enrollment in the Medicaid Buy-In program, a work incentive that has played a vital role in her own recovery. In her new position, Pat will have an opportunity to carry the message of recovery to an even wider audience of behavioral health providers and consumers. We are proud to support her in this endeavor. The Coalition Home | Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery | Site Map
Tel: (212) 742-1600 Fax: (212) 742-2132