NCJ Number
52290
Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1970) Pages: 96-102
Date Published
1970
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE PROGRAM DESCRIBED ALLOWS EX-MENTAL PATIENTS TO BE RELEASED FROM A HALFWAY HOUSE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA TO PARTICIPATE IN A HOUSING PROGRAM THAT INVOLVES CONTINUING THERAPEUTIC SUPERVISION.
Abstract
THE EL CAMINO HOUSE, A HALFWAY HOUSE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS, IN SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIF., HAS A TWOFOLD PROGRAM THRUST: A PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED CULTURE FOR RESIDENTS WITHIN THE HALFWAY HOUSE; AND THE UTILIZATION OF EXISTING HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE POSTHALFWAY HOUSE LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH BUILT-IN PROVISIONS FOR FOLLOWUP AND AFTERCARE. THESE PROGRAMS SERVE THE OVERALL GOAL OF ASSISTING THE SEVERELY DISTURBED PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT IN HIS ADJUSTMENT TO THE COMMUNITY BY PREPARING HIM SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY FOR MORE INDEPENDENT LIVING. UNDER THE SATELLITE HOUSING PROGRAM, SELECTED HALFWAY HOUSE RESIDENTS CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF AT LEAST MINIMAL CONTINUED SUPERVISION WHILE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE DISCHARGED FROM THE HALFWAY HOUSE TO LIVE IN SCATTERED APARTMENTS, DUPLEXES, OR HOUSES PROCURED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HALFWAY HOUSE AND SATELLITE HOUSING PROGRAM STAFFS. THOSE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM AGREE TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYING THEIR SHARE OF THE RENT AND UTILITIES. FURNISHINGS AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE GENERALLY PROVIDED THROUGH DONATIONS. A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SATELLITE UNIT OCCUPANTS AND THE PROGRAM AGENCY SPECIFIES THAT, IN ADDITION TO MENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES, THE PARTICIPANT WILL REMAIN IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT UNTIL TERMINATED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT WITH HIS THERAPIST. IN ADDITION, HE AGREES TO GIVE AT LEAST 2 WEEKS NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MOVE FROM HIS HOUSING AND, OF PRIME IMPORTANCE, TO ATTEND A MEETING OF SATELLITE UNIT OCCUPANTS AT LEAST TWICE MONTHLY OR MORE FREQUENTLY IF NECESSARY. STAFF ARE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION IN TIMES OF CRISIS. OCCUPANTS MAY STAY IN THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS THEY WISH, THUS AVOIDING THE FREQUENTLY PAINFUL TERMINATION OF THERAPEUTIC ASSOCIATIONS THAT ACCOMPANIES TERMINATION FROM HALFWAY HOUSE RESIDENCY. AS A RESULT OF THE PROGRAM, HALFWAY HOUSE RESIDENTS TEND TO LEAVE THE HOUSE SOONER AND FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY IN A NORMAL FASHION IS FACILITATED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)