National Trends in Drop-In Centers and Consumer-Run Programs

1. National Trends in Drop-In Centers and Consumer-Run Programs Empowered for a Change: A Working Conference to Create Consumer-Run Drop-In Centers in Fairfax County

2. NMHA and Consumer-Operated Programs • In 2002, NMHA identified three consumer-operated programs to promote. They are: • Project Return: The Next Step (MHA in Los Angeles County) • Consumer to Consumer Outreach (MHA in Tulsa) • On Our Own of Maryland • Applicants selected on their ability to adhere to key elements and “COSP” common ingredients as well as their ability to provide training to affiliates who are interested in bringing a peer support program to their community

3. Project Return: The Next Step • Project Return: The Next Step (PR:TNS) is a consumer operated peer support program for people with mental illnesses and is a program of the National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles. For over two decades, PR:TNS has provided social support community integration, employment, training and advocacy activities throughout Los Angeles County • Funding: PRTNS is funded through Los Angeles County

4. Project Return (cont’d) • Self-Help Clubs – Meet weekly in a variety of settings. Specialty clubs have been designed to meet member’s interests • Warm Line-Toll free number for persons who want to receive non-crisis support • Community Activities- Plays, concerts, sporting events, camping trips • Discovery Centers-Social and education centers that provide opportunities for individuals to learn new skills and venture out of their isolation and into the world • Employment –Part-time and full-time positions which accommodate the employment preferences of the individual • Advocacy- Advocacy training events held for consumers, which include advance directives, voter education and registration and testifying before local officials Something for Everyone!

5. Project Return: Wellness Center “Some people with mental illness get well, and then they just keep getting even better.” (Pat Deegan) • Provides a space in which a persons with a mental illness can actively participate in becoming better and better • Staff have experience using WRAP and in identifying community supports, not taking care of people • Emphasis on teaching skills to enable people to manage their next crises themselves • Nurse practitioner conducts weekly “Wellness Checks” • Holistic approach addressing mind, body & spirit

6. On Our Own of Maryland On Our Own of Maryland is a statewide mental health consumer education and advocacy organization. In addition to the state office in Baltimore, On Our Own has local membership organizations throughout the state, which provide a variety of services ranging from drop-in centers to advocacy programs. On Our Own is funded through the State, along with some Federal grants Office of Consumer Advocates, Inc.: The Office of Consumer Advocates, Inc. is a consumer organization that provides programming in the three western counties of Maryland, which are Garret, Allegheny and Washington Counties.

7. Office of Consumer Advocates Inc • Soul Haven Drop-in Center: This drop-in center served 226 people in 2002. The center offers crafts, computers, socialization, holiday parties and recreational activities in the community. The center is open Fridays 5pm-8pm and Saturday and Sundays 1pm–5pm. A hot meal is served each day that they operate. • Listening Line: Listening line is a warm line that offers support and referrals to people needing mental health services. The warm line operates 20 hours per week; Monday through Friday 5pm-10pm. In 2002, Listening Line staff answered 1214 calls people with mental illnesses. • GED/Literacy Classes: Classes are held two days a week for people with mental illnesses who want to obtain their GED. The instructor is a certified special education teacher from Washington County Board of Education. Presentations have been made to 185 individuals in schools.

8. Office of Consumer Advocates, Inc. Additional Services • Advocacy assistance for rental disputes, • Wills, • Educational programs for children, • Food through the Western Maryland Food Resource T-Fap program, and • Workshops for consumers and providers to participate in on a variety of topics.

9. MHA of Tulsa: Consumer to Consumer Outreach • Focuses on social support, recreation, and building friendships by reaching out to persons with mental illness who may otherwise isolate or fear social interaction. • Provides an empowerment-focused recovery for persons with mental illness working in the program. • Assists consumers who are served by allowing them to share power in relationships, and offering understanding and compassion by consumers who have "been there". • Funding: Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (the state government mental health agency) through a federal block grant.

10. Laurie Mitchell Employment Center • Offers computer training, computer access and employment services with no referral, residence or income requirements. • 2 locations in Fairfax County serving 400 individuals • Recently implemented new Microsoft Training Programs • Provides employment seminars throughout the year • Funding: County and foundations

11. Georgia • The Georgia Peer Specialist Project is a Statewide Program initiated by the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN) to train and certify 52 Peer Specialist. • Peer specialist are recruited, trained and certified in accordance with the requirements of the Georgia State Mental Health Plan. GMHCN identifies, trains, certifies and supports persons with mental illness who want to become Peer Specialists (www.contac.org/SCN.htm). • Another component of the program is Peer Centers, a new service provider category that is Medicaid reimbursable. Peer Centers are 100% consumer staffed and may provide additional services that are not always reimbursable under Medicaid, but are values supported by the Georgia Consumer Council (Georgia Division of Mental Health, 2003).

12. Criteria for Reimbursement of Peer Support Through Medicaid Components of state rules on peer services: • Definition of covered activities (social and daily living skills training, services to support residential or employment placements and case management, services furnished through consumer-run businesses) • Definitions of who is eligible to furnish rehabilitation or case management services so as to include individuals who have experienced mental illness. (can be very broad or restrictive depending on the state) • Services must be designed to meet specific goals in the individuals service plan and documentation of services in the individuals service plan • Usually must be supervised by a qualified licensed professional (From “Recovery In The Community: Funding Mental Health Rehabilitative Approaches Under Medicaid – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. 2001)

13. Ways to bring consumer-run services to your community • Discuss what type(s) of services/ support you want in your community • Educate the public (including other providers) about the need for such services • Develop a coalition or workgroup • Use the Final Report of the Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health as an advocacy tool! • State Infrastructure Grants - $44 Million in state grants • Talk or write to your legislator, planning council, talk or write to Medicaid officials regarding potential sources of funding • Call NMHA (703-838-7505 or sthompson@nmha.org Websites: www.nmha.org; - www.ncstac.org