A Not-for-Profit Agency

LGBT Tool Kit

BUILDING CONNECTIONS:
The Sexual Assault /
Mental Health Project
www.nyscasa.org

Mental Health Association in Ulster County, Inc.

P.O. Box 2304 Kingston, N.Y. 12402-2304

Children & Families: (845) 336-4747  Adult Services: (845) 339-9090  Fax: (845) 336-0192

MHA is a United Way Agency & Affiliated with the Mental Health Association in New York State & Mental Health America.

THE CLUBHOUSE
The Clifford Beers Center began operating as a "clubhouse" meaning a place where full services can be accessed , in August 1995. In its seventh year, the Clubhouse has served more than 750 people. "Hard rehabilitative services" include recovery education, work readiness, career planning, job training, literacy, social and community skills training, and linkages with community based health services. "Soft" rehabilitative services accessed include leisure time planning, personal interest and development of hobbies and talents in the areas of occupational and art therapies, travel and mobility skills training, and components of the highly acclaimed Healthy People 2000, a wellness clinic.

· The Clerical Unit: comprised of three 14 week sessions each year. Two class levels meet each trimester. A class of 8-12 students gain the skills needed to explore personal competency and job availability in competitive work offered in the community. A sample of the curriculum is training is touch typing, Microsoft Office Package, and Publisher. One-time Moines were used to replace every computer in the Clerical Unit with the most recent model and software, as well as Internet access.

· How-to-Classes: in bulk mailings, operating and maintaining standard office equipment (copier, FAX, switchboard, paper shredder, etc.). Six graduates have obtained competitive employment outside of the MHA, 5 graduates have acquired internships at other agencies, and three have matriculated to the ACES program, an MHA supported education program at UCCC. Two graduates have remained as intern assistants for the past two years, a positive support to all new enrollees in the program.

· The Introspective Unit: comprised of three seventeen week sessions. MHA staff, as well as professional consultants provide expertise in special areas such as art and music. A rotating monthly schedule is posted in the newsletter. All MHA participants sign up in advance, as space is limited. Classes took place at the Clifford Beers Center, Henry Street Apartments and at the site of learning, such as the YMCA, Mohonk Preserve and the Women's Studio Workshop.

· The Options Unit: comprised of three four week sessions. Students receive information on community resources. They are taught how to identify barriers to success and receive formal testing through the IPRT (Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Training) at Gateway Industries. This program is designed to assist individuals in determining personal readiness, where they are now, in pursuing a rehabilitation goal. Serious employment seekers attend job preparedness video workshops. They receive information on SSI benefit requirements and how to PASS out of SSI with little risk of losing benefits prematurely. They tape role playing interview sessions and get immediate feedback from the group; they research those items needed for job procurement- its process and the tools needed for success. The staff in this program are trained in the Ticket to Work program set forth by the Federal Government.

· The Maintenance Unit: this unit meets throughout the entire year. Fifteen students learned the skills needed to work in a janitorial/light maintenance situation. Persons are encouraged to find and retain competitive work after working with staff in a shadowing program at the Center.

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