Mecklenburg’s

Promoting      Recovery and   Opportunity through Mentoring,      Insight,        Support and       Education

 

 

 

Putting Words Into Action

“Stepping Up to Recovery”

By Briana Fishbein

 

“A thousand mile journey begins with one step”-- Anonymous

 

“Breaking the mold” or changing the culture of a system is not an easy endeavor. In North Carolina, tangible efforts to transform the Traditional/Medical Model of service provision to the Recovery Model of empowerment are occurring rapidly. Now, Recovery is no longer just a thought or philosophy...it has become a "movement".  The model of Recovery draws upon a community's ability and willingness to share resources and support.  While skepticism and anxiety often accompany change, in Mecklenburg County, a network of service providers, consumers, family members and other community members, have banned together and risen to this challenge.

 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” --Margaret Mead.

 

With any major shift in philosophy,  individuals and organizations emerge as pioneers, dedicating themselves to making a difference.  By highlighting the success of local transformation efforts, we create an opportunity for others to learn and become inspired. 

 

The Recovery Inspirer would like to recognize the efforts of our local leaders. During the Recovery Best Practices Committee meetings on July 13th & September 7th, 2007 participants shared the following steps they  have taken to implement best practices, Recovery philosophies and an overall mindset of Person-Centeredness:

 

 

 Agency Name     

  Progress in Recovery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mecklenburg Open Door
  • Serve as the Chairman of Recovery Best Practices Committee.
  • Actively hire consumers as employees.
  • Staff and executive management have attended Recovery University trainings.
  • Have a mission statement that reflects the Recovery philosophy.
  • Incorporated Recovery principles into service provision.
  • Utilize creativity in Person-Centered Planning and Thinking.
  • Created multiple programs to fill in service “gaps” including: Peer Bridger, Transitional Housing, Drop-In Center and Warmline.
  • Trained staff in Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and will be facilitating WRAP groups at the Drop-In Center
  • Participate in Consumer Conferences and State Adult MH Committees.

 

 

 

RSS
  • Implemented Recovery principles into the mission statement.
  • Integrated the Recovery philosophy through their interactions with consumers and community.
  • Participate in the Recovery Best Practices Committee.
  • Integration of Recovery philosophy in community interactions
  • Increased Consumer representation on agency committees.

 

 

 

 

 

LME
  • Marketing strategies to tie in Recovery principles and increase relations with current/future consumers.
  • Employ consumers
  • Staff have completed Recovery training modules I-III.
  • Service Analysts are utilizing Recovery Principles during Endorsement Audits.
  • Supporting/funding efforts to fill in service “gaps”.
  • Participating in Community Support Recovery Toolkit Subcommittee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Preservation Services
  • Utilizing Recovery University Train-the-Trainer Model to educate/train staff.
  • Incorporating Recovery principles into their QA department audit tools.
  • Invited representatives to come speak with their staff about programs/resources available for consumers in the community.
  • Implementing “Customer Service” philosophies in service provision with staff.
  • Discuss Recovery Model topics and evaluate Team Structure in Person-Centered Planning during “staff” meetings.
  •  Implemented a Consumer Rights Committee

 

 

 

 

Compeer/MHA
  • Developing an Advisory Counsel run by consumers
  • Attending Recovery University trainings
  • Have designated  1 “Agency Expert” and 2 "Consumer Experts" who attend Recovery University trainings.
  • Employ 2 part-time consumers
  • Incorporate consumers during interviews and training processes for future/current employees.

 

 

 

 

 

The Right Choice
  • Implementing Recovery philosophy into service provision, and agency culture.
  • Contracted with Recovery Training Collaborative to provide Recovery trainings for their staff and consumers.
  • Participating in Community Support Recovery Toolkit Subcommittee.
  • Created “Readiness Managers” position to support staff providing services to consumers in order to provide higher qualities of care.
  • Focusing on quality of service provision under the principles of the Recovery Model.

 

 

 

 

PSO
  • Employing staff whom are knowledgeable and experienced in the Recovery Model.
  • Attend Recovery University trainings.
  • Participating in Recovery research project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QFS
  • Actively collaborate with MDN, InnerVision, Compeer and additional community resources.
  • Discuss Recovery topics during monthly “staffings”.
  • Implemented a Consumer Quality Assessment Survey for consumers to grade their own personal successes in  Recovery and their experience with QFS.
  • Have trained all Community Support staff on Module I of the Recovery curriculum using the Train-the-Trainer Model.
  • Encourage consumers to attend agency trainings.
  • Have identified a Consumer and Professional Expert who attend Recovery University trainings.
  • Undergoing CARF accreditation.
  • Use Likert Scale for training evaluation forms.
  • Review and teach Person-Centered Thinking and Planning with staff.
  • Partnered with InnerVision members to create and maintain a Garden Club.

 

 

 

 

Footprints Carolina
  • Hold regular “staffings” to promote communication and discuss issues, questions, concerns and/or progress being made regarding the Recovery Model.
  • Attending Recovery University trainings.
  • Participating in Community Support Recovery Toolkit Subcommittee.
  • Participating in  Recovery research project.

 

Successions, Inc.
  • Attending Recovery University trainings.
  • Hold Quarterly meetings to discuss topics in Recovery.

 

Connections BWB, Inc.
  • As a new agency, they are working to implement a Recovery -oriented environment into their agency and provision of services.

 

 

Journey, Inc.
  • Attending Recovery University trainings.
  • Have identified 3 “Agency Experts” who attend Recovery University trainings.
  • Applying information learned during trainings into their service provision.

 

 

 

UNCC Social Work Department
  • Educate students on the Recovery Model philosophy and principles during relevant classes.
  • Utilize a consumer consultant when creating documents that will be distributed to consumer study group participants.

CASCADE
  • Establishing a residential home which utilizes Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT), best practice model.
  • Created a consumer advisory committee.

 

 

Each month The Recovery Inspirer will highlight one Mecklenburg County agency, consumer, support group or family member that is working to promote Recovery. Nominations can be submitted via e-mail to BFishbein@mecklenburgopendoor.org or by contacting the Mecklenburg’s PROMISE staff at 704-525-4398.