Mental Health Association of Westchester, Inc.

Geographic areas served: Westchester County

Programs: See schedule o for description of clinical services program. Clinical services: mha's clinical services are designed for individuals and families of all ages. Services are provided at community-based mental health outpatient clinics, at the individual's home or at a community location such as a health care center, school, library or shelter. Specialized services are available for children and adolescents who are having emotional, behavioral, social or academic difficulties and include individual, family and group therapy. Mha's extensively trained social workers, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists work closely with parents to help make changes in the youngsters' lives. Clinic staff are trained in array of therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered planning. Clinical services staff served 2,913 individuals and families during 2014.

see schedule o for description of the housing program. Housing: mha's housing programs provide residential and case management support to adults (age 18 and over) who have a serious mental illness. Through collaborative person-centered goal development, program staff and residents work on skills that promote independence, including budgeting, socialization, employment, and accessing community resources for independent living. Program participants receive assistance with entitlements, money management, service coordination and the development of independent living skills, with the goal of helping individuals to secure and retain housing. The program helps to fill housing resource gaps and provides individuals the structure and support they need so that they can live in the community. Individuals reside in their own apartments and take on the challenge and responsibility of living in, and maintaining, their own dwelling. In 2014, mha provided over 125 individuals with support and housing. In 2014 mha purchased an additional multi-family home to be used for supported housing beds.

see schedule o for description of adult recovery-oriented services program. Adult recovery-oriented services: mha provides support, training, and recovery-oriented counseling to adults who meet criteria for living with a serious mental illness. Services promote health, wellness and recovery, and help individuals to establish and achieve their personal employment, social, education and housing goals, and to find meaningful life roles in the community. In 2014, mha provided services to more than 1,500 adults who live with a serious mental illness. In 2013, adult targeted case management converted to health home care management under the guidence of the doh. This is a more progressive recovery oriented model.

mha has other significant programs that do not fall under the above three categories, below please find a brief description of the other main categories. Client advocacy: mha advocates for westchester's most vulnerable populations: children who have been abused or neglected and are in, or at risk for, placement in foster care; older adults living in long-term care facilities such as adult homes and nursing homes; and families of seriously emotionally disturbed and special needs children. During 2014, staff and 130 volunteers advocated for about 8,000 individuals. Children's intensive case management services: mha offers individualized, community-based care coordination to children and their families, where serious emotional disturbances on the part of a child threatens a family's ability to keep the child at home and in their community. Mha uses a strength-based model that promotes wellness, leading to success for the child and family. Clinical services staff served 195 children during 2014.