COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

• Un-bundle the community residential rehabilitation service model, and separate
housing from staff support.
• Develop flexible, creative and effective consensus based best service practices
which facilitate recovery, supported by affordable community housing options.
Work with other responsible entities, such as local housing and redevelopment
authorities; non-profit housing developers; community based housing consortiums
and advocacy groups to provide housing opportunities for persons with serious
mental illness.
• Develop mobile recovery oriented service delivery models which bring the
housing supports to the consumer, if needed to promote housing stability.
• Under the assumption that one size does not fit all, the state should recognize the
positive aspects of the CRRS and LTSR’s, and attempt to revitalize some of them
to be viable short term options for some consumers. Needed changes should be
made to assure that persons move through the group homes fairly quickly into
permanent secure housing in the community. CRRS and LTSR’s should be a part
of a community housing continuum, rather than the only option recognized and
promoted by OMHSAS, the state hospitals and the County MH/MR Programs.
What direction should the planning for creating better housing options take?
Everything we do to enable, facilitate and support persons with SMI to live in the community
should be based on the philosophy of the recovery process, and included in that process is the
concept of informed consumer choice. Service system planning should also be based on the
recovery concept, and, therefore, consumers should be included and actively participate in the
planning process.
There is also a housing philosophy, which supports the concept of recovery.
The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors “Position Statement
on Housing and Supports for People With Psychiatric Disabilities” is that conceptual
model. The statement reads:
Housing Options
It should be possible for all people with psychiatric disabilities to have the option to live
in decent, stable, affordable and safe housing that reflects consumer choice and
available resources. These are settings that maximize opportunities for participation in
the life of the community and promote self-care, wellness and citizenship. Housing
options should not require time limits for moving to another housing option. People
should not be required to change living situations or lose their place of residence if
they are hospitalized. People should choose their housing arrangements from among
those living environments available to the general public. State mental health
authorities have the obligation to exercise leadership in the housing area, addressing
housing and support needs and expanding affordable housing stock. This is a
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