Michigan Recovery Council Meeting, Part 6

REE Implementation in Michigan:

Darby from Advocates for Human Potential
Hired to implement the REE in Michigan

Implement the REE in Each CMH and each Provider Agency. with people who have been in the system for 90 days

Planning:

1. CMH make Narrative Plan
1. Sampling plan table
2. Describe how to pick consumers
3. How the REE will be administered
   
2. Monitors will administer instrument.
1. ACT
2. Target Case Management
3. Psychosocial Rehab
4. Consumer run drop-ins
5. Supported Employment
6. Medication Clinics
7. Group Homes

Various methods for sampling were discussed..

The surveyors may be peer specialists, staff of consumer programs, individual contractors, etc. Can't have conflict of interest. Much to be decided on this yet.

Preferred way for administering survey: Given on site at a program by consumer surveys to groups of consumers. Other ways can also be used.. there will be a web based version on Survey Monkey.

Not yet a bilingual  version.  This problem must be solved. Many other issues of logistics and detailed implementation came up.

Irene summarized the discussion by saying that the initiative will try to touch every aspect of the system with recovery.

Accommodations will be provided to assure that each person will be able to do the survey regardless of characteristic.

Data Collection will be over a 10 month period during 2009.. Each area will have 2 months to administer per area.

There will be some learning curve on this effort. There will be training for the Surveyors. There will also be a manual and a 1-800 number for questions.

No individual info will be reported in any form
Aggregated results will be provided to DCH
Reports for individual agencies and programs will be provided to each agency, but will not be public.

Rich talked about RCE's involvement in the REE implementation. There was also a discussion about using consumer run centers as a source of surveyors.

See you in two months.

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting: September 19, 2008, Part 5

After Lunch

Questions came up during lunch. People were concerned about reliability and validity. Priscilla went over the evidence for both.

The Special Needs section will be tweaked for language. Then a final version will be issued for use in Michigan. The Special needs section is only filled out by people who are in the respective categories.

Recovery Markers Section:

Outcomes are a less useful concept than markers as signs on the journey. There is a proportional relationship between number of markers and where on the journey you are.

Last Section has continuum responses.  The responses can point to system needs assessment information.

Many questions about possible uses. It seems that most are possible.

End of  REE Overview

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting: September 19, 2008, Part 4

Part 4

The GUTS!!

Positive life markers are very important, and tell the tale of recovery.
No real problem with people understanding what the terms mean. Could add guiding terms or phrases to help people understand the question.

There is a magnetic list of the Pieces of Recovery. Got to keep it away from my computer. The 10 pieces of recovery are:

1. Hope
2. Self-Direction
3. Individualized and Person-Centered
4. Empowerment
5. Holistic
6. Non-Linear
7. Strengths based
8. Peer Support
9. Respect
10. Responsibility

The next section includes things like trauma, LGBT, cultural background, and other special circumstances.

Break til 1 pm.

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting: September 19, 2008, Part 3

Priscilla talked about the beginning, and its changes in Michigan.

Page 3 talks about stages in recovery. Change is a process: before you contemplate, contemplating recovery, planning recovery, active involvement, setbacks, and maintenance of recovery.

Moving along this process is dramatically accelerated .if the first time a person seeks services, they are met and introduced to a person who is in recovery, and can tell the person that recovery works. Many people never hear meaningful information about the possibility of recovery. This hope is especially important when the person is coming into the system through an Access Center.

Setbacks result in the disintegration of built infrastructure, requiring their rebuilding and additional support.

End of Part 3

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting: September 19, 2008, Part 2

Council Members are telling about various consumer events, including a consumer conference at Baycliffe in the UP.  Now going through the approval of the minutes from the July 18th meeting.  Irene then welcomed the members of the Improving Practices Leadership Team (IPLT), and explained the collaborative approach that IPLT are using to build new practices, and that all we do with adults with mental illness is grounded in recovery.

Priscilla started her presentation on the REE. She thanked the Recovery Council for its efforts to make recovery the framework for services in Michigan. She went through the history of recovery and its denial. She sees her work as supporting individuals in recovery. Gradually, individual stories of recovery lead to the assumption of the peer responsibility by those individuals, and final recommendations by the government that all mental health services needed to be framed by the principles of recovery. in the late 90's and early part of the 21st century. The system of services should be driven by the lived experience of peers.

Performance measurement of recovery outcomes is critical to making the system honest. Output measures are typically ineffective at showing real change for individuals in their lives. Priscilla started looking at Recovery from the perspective of peers. She started out with peers stories, and then she talked to peer specialists.

Her model of Recovery has 3 parts:

1. Identity (hope, sense of meaning and purpose, more than a mental patient)
2. Self-Management (requires a shift in perspective, focused on wellness)
3. Reclaiming your life (living a full life, belonging, basic resources, connections to others, being productive)

One person brought up the problem of CMH's not hiring peer specialists. Priscilla pointed out that recovery will be the system in 4-5 years, and that is the model the CMHs will be held to. Without peer specialists, they will not look good. Also, she pointed out that there are other roles peers can play besides specialists, including evaluation and monitoring. One group of peers performed their evaluation for a professional, peer, and family audience as a play, producing a far deeper effect than the numbers would.

The measurement and monitoring process also supports the individual doing the measurement  in going forward in their recovery.

End of Part 2.

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting: September 19, 2008, Part 1

Once again, we convene at Lansing Community College's West Campus to expand and deepen Michigan's Recovery Movement.

Today, the big agenda item is the beginning of making the Recovery Enhancing Environment measure the way our mental health system will tell how well it is internalizing the principles of recovery.

We are going through introductions right now.

Mike Head is speaking now.  His first question is, "Where is this Council going?"

The CMHSP's will be going through a renewal of their applications to run regional mental health services.  Outreach for peer and family feedback on what CMH's should be providing. Mike said that each PIHP will engage peers in developing their application.  The department will be evaluating the depth of peer involvement not only in the application, but also in the ongoing operations of the PIHP. In FY 2010, the plans will influence the negotiation of each PIHP contract.

Mike said that he participated in the recent Director's Forum about pay levels for peers.  He told them that framing the peer work as reducing hospitalization costs through real data is a way to justify higher pay.

"Access is not just bout saying yes or no; it's about giving people airtime."

First Question: How can peer support specialists get health care coverage? Mike said that they addressed health care as a general service for peers, but not especially peer support specialists.  Another person said that she spends a lot of time helping people figure out how to deal with medical debt. Mike also discussed availability of work incentives through SSI/SSDI and the Freedom to Work Act for people who don't have spend downs. Benefits Counseling is also available.

Mike talked about the feedback process on the application. Then, they will finalize the application, send it out to PIHPs, and give them 3 months to prepare, followed by .the department reviewing the applications with the PIHP's.

End of Part 1

Norman DeLisle, MDRC
"With Liberty and Access for All!"
GrandCentral: 517-589-4081
MDRC Website: http://www.copower.org/
LTC Blog: http://ltcreform.blogspot.com/
Recovery: http://therecoveringlife.blogspot.com/
Change: http://prosynergypsc.blogspot.com/

Directory of Alternative Providers

FROM MATT MORRISSEY, BOARD MEMBER, MINDFREEDOM INTERNATIONAL

Help MindFreedom Build Directory of Alternative Providers

Dear Members of MindFreedom,

I’m writing to you with exciting news. We are ready to begin
constructing a new and urgently needed resource on MindFreedom’s
website: A directory of alternative providers for people in mental
and emotional distress.

I doubt that I need to convince anyone who is reading this email of
the potential value of such a resource.

This directory will be unique. In order to be listed, applicants will
agree to uphold certain principles at all times in the delivery of
their services.

You can read these principles here:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/choice/alternatives

Many hours of volunteer work have already gone into the conception,
planning, and overall design of the project.

We now need your help to offset the cost of programming the database
and website, estimated to be around $900.

Any amount will help. The fastest and easiest way to make a tax-
deductible donation is through PayPal.

Please click here to donate on-line:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/join-donate

Remember to type "directory" or some such phrase into the comments
field during the PayPal checkout, or after you donate e-mail the
office that this is what the donation is earmarked for:
office@mindfreedom.org.

You may also send a check to: MFI; P.O. Box 11284 Eugene, OR
97440-3484 USA, with a note that the donation is for the "directory."

I thank you in advance for your generosity.

Best,

Matthew Morrissey
Co-Chair, MF Choices in Mental Health Committee
email: creativerevolution@mindfreedom.org


MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216 - POB 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

web: http://www.mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
fax: (541) 345-3737
member services toll free in USA: 1-877-MAD-PRID[e] or 1-877-623-7743

Recovery Council Meeting 02-04-08 Part 2

Part 2:

A presentation from Wayne County Systems Transformation Grant (the Recovery Center of Excellence):

• Wayne County CMH has an Executive Director
• 4 initiatives:
• Integrate children and family services to produce real wrap around
• Integration of services to persons with co-occurring disorders (and the stigma that comes along with it), including a focus on persons in jail
• Peer Supports in Supported Working (partnership with MRS)
• Peer Supports in Housing-initial focus was on the people who are in specialized residential homes and AFCs. They will pump in additional services.

• Will use Advocates for Human Potential to provide Technical Assistance
• There is resistance from AFC over having "easier" residents decide they want to move to a freer environment
• Wayne has over 80 PSS
• Housing
• The literacy program is becoming a real center, and was started by peers working part-time
• program focuses on jail diversion, and supported housing and employment.
• They have created a manuals/handbooks for housing and employment
• Regardless of the past, consumers that have the desire to live independently have the right to try, even from an AFC.
• The housing program started with the needs and desires of consumers, including the skills necessary to maintain the housing
• They look at all housing before any consumer sees it. They get clothes, vacuum cleaners, food pantries
• The impact of Peers on consumers view of what they can do is great.
• Jail Diversion
• If I can't carry a clear message to you, its just my head, not my heart.
• They carry a 12 step message, that shows them the possibility of a better life after "the bricks". Peers share stories and hope. It is a dual recovery process.
  
• Detroit Recovery Project:
• Peer run program for persons with substance abusers
• Many co-occurring disorders
• Broad inclusion goals for both peers and clinicians
• Program is not time limited and follow the person into the community. "Member for Life".
• end of Part 2
  

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting 02-04-08

Part 1:

These meetings always begin with introductions and new stories of recovery. The stories are all about the day to day process of recovering. There are always many of them pointing to small real steps. Sometimes the stories are clearly about rights. For example, there was a strong response to a Kalamazoo paper article that spoke against the marriage of two persons with schizophrenia. There was an immediate response with letters, and an Op-Ed in a couple of weeks.

The Recovery Movement has begun to infiltrate senior programs and will be a part of senior services conference this spring.

Also, Pam Werner expects the number of Peer Support Specialiss to break 300 after the next test (this week).

MDCH will use the measure of recovery called the Recovery Enhanced Requirement, which was recommended to the Department by the Recovery Council.

Key chain tag with the principles of Recovery on it? What do you think? The proposal is to have them for all consumers and staff, and have them available at consumer and other conferences.

Marti reported on NAMI's national consumer issues:

• There has been an upsurge in taser use and deaths of persons with mental illness.
  
• There is a spreading criminal ization of mental health issues, with the use of handcuffs as a substitute for treatment. JACHO rules on restraint has weakened substantially (though this doesn't affect Michigan which has a higher standard).
• The recovery movement has stalled nationally. Marti referred to the dynamic as "pockets of excellence".
• There have always been peers in the system, but who may not have self-identified. Now, people in the system are self-identifying, but there past behavior and stance on consumer issues. There is a yahoo group called 2hats that includes some people
• Marti feels that there is too much narrowing of service availability and choice because of turf fights and factions. Her point is there must be an answer for everyone. Politics is making valuable choices unavailable.
• Medication availability, use, judgments of who takes and don't take, etc. Lots of states have closed formularies, which can have devastating impacts on persons who take medications for mental illness. Even generics can produce problems for the shift from brand names. Finally, the Medicare donut is causing unfair choices about work versus medication availability.
• There was a discussion of the use of physician assistants and nurse practitioners providing medication to people. In areas where there is no effective psychiatric services, it may well be the only alternative, and Marti felt they were effective, but she asked for stories of problems.
• It was pointed out that cuffs were the standard for everyone.
• Pam raised the issue of peer supports being paid low wages, and the impact of poverty on the Recovery Movement. She also pointed out that 300 PSS doesn't begin to meet the need of the 120,000 persons who receive services. Pay must be high enough to constitute a real living.
• Liability fears drive CMH use or non-use of drugs rather than individual response. Also, brand names powerfully impact the distribution of GF funds which are capped. Hence, persons who aren't eligible for Medicaid and Medicare are getting generics.
  
• The new Director of State NAMI reported that some CMHs are dropping back to early anti-psychotic medications because of formulary pressure.
• There were also conserns about the loss of support that PSS experience when they change roles.
• The Peer Brochure is in the works and a draft will happen soon.
• Rules that restrict work or pay with loss of benefits may dictate individual solutions.
• The website for the National Association of Peer Supports has information from Michigan about satisfaction with pay and jobs.
• Is there a way to take on the responsibilities of a Special Needs Plan that could simplify the access to medications?
• Finally, there was a call for solidarity and alignment for the recovery movement as a whole. Think about the NAPS conference.

End of Part 1

NAMI Launches Veterans Resource Center On Mental Health; Online

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has established an online Veterans Resource Center http://www.nami.org/veterans to help support active duty military personnel, veterans and their families facing serious mental illnesses such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia.

"We are a nation at war," said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "The war includes mental illness. Many veterans who return from active duty face a second war at home, confronting profound mental health problems. Their families also are affected."

Job posting

Greetings,

My name is Curt Oostveen and I have been asked by the current board of directors of the Recovery Cooperative of Muskegon to share these exciting job opportunities with you. Allow me a moment to tell you what the Recovery Cooperative of Muskegon is. The Recovery Cooperative is a peer-run organization that is just now starting to get off the ground. It has been in the planning and very early development stages onset February of this year. In April it then became incorporated formally with the state of Michigan and procured its EIN # shortly thereafter and has applied for its 501c3. During this time it wrote an RFP and later acquired funding through the Mental Health Block Grants.

The Recovery Cooperative is currently seeking a director (Head Recovery Coach) and an Account/Consultant. The applications may be downloaded from http://recoverycooperative.org and mailed to: Recovery Cooperative of Muskegon

Attention: Jennifer Faunt

% CMHS Youth Services

173 E. Apple Ave.

Muskegon, MI, 49442

The application deadline for both positions is November 14^th 2007.

The Recovery Cooperative of Muskegon, located in downtown Muskegon, will be a service unto the mental health/disability community which will be offering recovery-oriented education such as WRAP, cultural diversity sessions, and micro-enterprise start-up assistance and displaying them unto the business community. This is just to name a few of the exciting things that have been planed to occur within.

If you would like to know more information regarding this exciting new enterprise, feel free to contact me at recovery@recoverycooperative.org

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Curtis Oostveen, CPSS. CWRAP

Certified Peer-Support Specialist

Certified Mental Health Recovery Educator & WRAP Facilitator

Psychologist-Activist Helps Screen American Psychiatric

Strangeness, abnormality, weirdness and nonviolent activism mix on
the MFI Radio Show this Wednesday, with an author asks you to, "Dance
With Your Dark Side."

This Wednesday, 17 October 2007, at 4 pm ET, "click and listen" to a
free live web interview on MindFreedom Radio with Al Galves here:

http://prncomm.net/

You can phone in LIVE with your comments, questions, news and views.

Al was part of a team of this past Thursday of "Normality Screeners"
who screened the American Psychiatric Association main headquarters
for "normality." Hear about the fun this nonviolent and peaceful
event caused, when the APA closed down their 20th floor entrance to
the public, for the day. Ah, the power of rubber chickens and a red
nose.

You can read about the normality screening on the MindFreedom blog,
that also has a link to photos, here:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/mfi-blog

Al is a psychologist and activist for more choices in the mental
health system. He is also the author of a brand new book, "Lighten
Up: Dance With Your Dark Side."

Al will also report about lobbying in Washington, D.C. today, 15
October, as part of the conference of the International Center for
the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology (ICSPP). Ron is on their board.

Phone in with your questions & comments live on this radio show. Host
of the MindFreedom Live Free Internet Radio Hour is David Oaks.

Michigan Recovery Council Meeting

Part One:

Two issues of immediate import:

• The measurement tool (Q45) pilot is going forward, despite Council concerns. The Council will go forward with looking for a better measurement tool. There will be a discussion meeting on the outcomes measurement process on October 25 at Constitution Hall
  
• There is a proposed Behavior Modification Policy for mental health services. There will be a feedback teleconference on September 25 at 4 pm. The policy uses a Behavior Modification Committee concept, but does not actually rule out any behavior modification technique if it goes through the BM Committee, and, sometimes, a DCH review.

Heather Visingardi talked about the role of Peer Support Specialists in Access and in the various providers. Heather said that the PSS service code can't be used for services until a person centered plan is created. Heather believes that the other activities that PSS do before the PCP is created should be validated by a code that supports the activities as an actual encounter that involves an essential service. DCH will be assessing the impact of PSS in hospitals and access centers using a grant.

End of Part One