Transforming Housing for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Report

摘要

In late 2003, inspired by the recommendations of the Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health and with funding from the Center for Mental Health Services/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CMHS/SAMHSA), the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (hereafter called the Bazelon Center) undertook a study of board and care homes for people with psychiatric disabilities. A draft report on the demographics of board and care homes and a catalog of the incremental measures currently being implemented to improve the lives of residents were produced. On November 18 and 19, 2004, the Bazelon Center then hosted a national strategy meeting to discuss the findings. This event was attended by more than 30 experts from Protection and Advocacy services, mental health associations, national associations of mental health consumers and State mental health directors, alternative housing advocates, and others with a direct interest in the issues. The experts are found in the Participant List on page 49. This final report incorporates the discussion and recommendations from the November 2004 meeting. Overall, it discusses the impact of short-term quality improvement measures in the use of board and care homes. It also calls for a fresh approach to providing housing for people with psychiatric disabilities a recovery-oriented approach that revolves around the principles of consumer self-direction and community integration.