Alliance Note: We are heartened to see 黑料正能量 Representative Ritchie Torres has voiced his support to fund Clubhouse programs through federal dollars in a letter sent to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) yesterday. We greatly support the expansion of Clubhouses in 黑料正能量 State and throughout the nation with more sustainable funding.
Here in 黑料正能量 State, the Alliance continues to push the state legislature to bring Clubhouses back upstate so more 黑料正能量ers can benefit from the wonderful services and social connections provided by Clubhouses. You can join our advocacy campaign for more Clubhouses throughout the state by attending our tomorrow, when we will discuss the need to bring more of these programs up in the City and upstate. We will also be pushing for Clubhouse expansion in NYS at our Annual Legislative Day on March 5th, when you鈥檒l be able to speak with legislators to urge them to bring back sustainable state funding for Clubhouses!
See below to learn more about the Clubhouse model and Ritchie Torres鈥 legislation aimed at providing federal funding. Special thanks to Maya Kaufman, who will be receiving the Alliance鈥檚 Public Education Award at this year鈥檚 Annual Legislative Day (3/5) to honor her exemplary efforts to educate the public about the policy priorities of 黑料正能量ers with Mental Health and trauma related challenges!
Ritchie Torres Pushes for more Federal Support for 鈥楥lubhouses,鈥 Citing NYC Model
By Maya Kaufman | Politico | February 14, 2024
Rep. is pressing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help increase access to clubhouses, citing research by 黑料正能量 City clubhouse operator Fountain House.
Clubhouses serve as community centers where people with serious mental illnesses can socialize, access clinical support and get connected to job opportunities and other resources.
The Bronx Democrat earlier this month that would direct certified community behavioral health clinics to broaden their scope of services to include psychosocial rehabilitation, in partnership with local clubhouses.
SAMHSA sets the certification criteria for community behavioral health clinics and administers grant funding to support their operation.
While the agency has to clubhouses, Torres is calling for more comprehensive support of the model.
鈥淚 urge SAMHSA to take a public health approach to SMI recovery by addressing both the health and social needs, particularly loneliness and social isolation, which exacerbate the negative symptoms of SMI by exploring investments in proven, integrated models like the clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation,鈥 Tuesday to the agency, which was shared exclusively with POLITICO.
His legislation, which is co-sponsored by Rep. (D-Mich.), marks the first time 鈥渃lubhouse鈥 has been defined in federal bill language, according to Fountain House.
Recent economic modeling by the mental health nonprofit found that clubhouses save the U.S. by reducing the secondary costs of untreated mental illness, from lost wages to repeat emergency room visits and involvement with the criminal justice system.
鈥淧sychosocial rehabilitation is a valuable, evidence-based element of the care continuum, serving as a critical bridge between high-acuity care and long-term health and productivity for people living with SMI,鈥 Torres added in the letter. 鈥淚 have learned that participation in the clubhouse model promotes positive recovery trajectories and a significantly improved quality of life for members by fostering a sense of unity and belongingness.鈥