NAMI Hillsborough

ICCD CLUBHOUSE MODEL

The Clubhouse is a social community rehabilitation model for persons recovering from mental illnesses. The Clubhouse is a wellness model designed to create an environment that requires the volunteerism of its members to work side by side with staff in the in the running of every part of the Clubhouse. The purpose of the Clubhouse is to restore self-esteem, self-confidence, and develop skills necessary to develop financially and socially satisfying lives, including employment skills.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Work Ordered Day (Prevocational Day Program) – this program consists of a daytime work activity, similar to a typical job.

Member’s skills and talents utilized.
Self-confidence is restored and trust is developed and awareness that employment is possible if fostered.
Members volunteer for daily activities and work side by side with staff.
Staff learns about each member’s social and vocational potential.

COMMON AREAS OF THE CLUBHOUSE

Kitchens and Dinning Room: Cooking, cleaning and maintenance, menu planning, shopping, and money management.
Clerical Work: Newsletter & daily newspaper, computer work, billing, money management, reception, and telephone skills.
Thrift Shop: Pricing, sorting, sales, cashier work and money management. Service Management: meet and greet members as they arrive, orientation of new members, tours.
Outreach: Call on members that have stopped coming, visit members in the hospital.
Benefits and Support Assistance: Assist with problems with SSI / SSDI or other issues.
Communications including a Clubhouse Newspaper: a means of informing members of Clubhouse activities, disseminate current news about fellow members; provides prevocational activities.

TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

This consists of contracting an employment slot whereby the Clubhouse guarantees an employer that a person will be there to do the job. The Clubhouse determines who that person will be, rather than the employer. An average Transitional Employment (TE) position lasts for 6 months.

Highlights of Transitional Employment

All job placements are entry-level positions in normal places of business.
TE positions are designed to facilitate work adjustment.
Prevailing wages are paid with no benefits.
Members develop confidence and job references.
Placements are temporary, usually about 6 months on a half-time basis.
Series of placements in TE help to develop basic work skills and an employment history.
TE removes the barriers to the guaranteed right of members to work.
Hospitalization history is irrelevant.
No work history or a poor work record is irrelevant.
Inability to pass an interview is not a problem.
Lack of motivation to seek employment independently is not a problem.

EVENING & WEEKEND PROGRAM

The evening and weekend program is designed to be a social – recreational program. Social events at the Clubhouse occur only during the evenings, weekends and holidays and not during normal business hours. However, this is a way for members to satisfy companion and socialization needs.

Activities may include classes (art, photography, etc.) dramatics, and volunteer led activities such as movies, bowling, field trips and other community events. One of the key benefits of the evening and weekend program is that members maintain long-term relationships, even after becoming employed and spending far less time in the Clubhouse setting. The evening and weekend program also allows members to have continued support and connect with the Clubhouse after they leave full participation due to employment opportunities.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Clubhouse staff assists the member with entitlements within the community including housing, quality medical care, psychological, pharmacological and substance abuse services. Staff also assists in advocacy for members needs and identifies clinical, legal and personal assistance as needed.

SUPPORTED EDUCATION The Clubhouse assists members in deciding to continue their education, in identifying a member’s particular field of interest, and then identifying the academic institution and providing help with the application process. Members and staff of the Clubhouse mentor and encourage those who decide to pursue additional education. NAMI strongly supports the ICCD Clubhouse Model as a necessary step in recovery for those living with a mental illness. Ideally, the ICCD Clubhouse should be available in every major community.

REHABILITATION SERVICES

Psychological rehabilitation progress should include the following: recreational activities, social skills training, employment related training and assistance, and assistance toward independent living. Limited rehabilitation services are available through some community mental health centers as well as private facilities. Assistance with education, training, and employment is also available through State of Florida Department of Labor & Employment Security, Vocational Rehabilitation Division.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed by Congress in 1990, is an important federal law which prohibits discrimination against any person with a disability. It also covers individuals who have a history of disability or who are regarded by others as impaired, even if they are not. This would include, for example, people who have had psychiatric treatment in the past but who are now fully recovered.

The ADA covers employment, public (government) services, and public accommodations. Employers may not discriminate against an individual with a disability, including mental illness, if the person is otherwise qualified, by skills and background for the job. The employer also must provide “reasonable accommodations” that will allow an otherwise qualified person to perform the essential duties of the job.

For more information on the ADA, write to: the Civil Rights Diversion, US Department of Justice, P.O. Box 66118, Washington, D.C.