MCCLENDON CENTER

Programs: Individual community support - this service links people with serious mental illnesses to resources in the community. Housing is obtained for homeless individuals; financial benefits (such as social security disability payments and medicaid) are obtained; medication compliance is monitored; crisis plans are developed; linkages to other services such as substance abuse recovery are made; referrals to primary physical care are made, and transportation is often provided. Over 700 clients receive this service every year. Services are delivered by a total of 24 community support specialist staff members with bachelors or masters degrees, usually in a social service field. These services are funded by medicaid and local tax dollars.

day treatment program - over 100 clients are served each year in the center's day program. These clients attend groups at least three hours of each day. Groups may include expressive therapies (dance/movement, art, psychodrama), health and wellness (direct nursing care and nutrition management), trauma recovery, substance use treatment and management, peer support, and many other psycho-educational groups such as mental health symptom management. Clients attend groups that are geared toward their learning and comprehension levels. Staff members are assigned as primary contacts with outside referral sources so that all care and treatment is coordinated. These services are funded by medicaid, local tax dollars, and grant funds.

core services - the center provides traditional outpatient services to more than 700 people each year, with the goal of helping them to recover from their mental illnesses. The center provides intake and diagnostic services that are conducted by professional social workers; each client admitted for center services receives an extensive intake that assesses his/her history, current level of functioning, and treatment needs. Most clients receive medication prescription and management from a licensed psychiatrist or an advance practice registered nurse. Clients are referred for psychotherapy, which is traditional talk therapy delivered by a professional social worker. Clients are assigned to a community support specialist (css), whose services are described above. The css coordinates all their care assigned clients receive to ensure that it is medically necessary, properly integrated, and effective for the individuals being served. These services are funded by medicaid, medicare, and local tax dollars.