MENTAL HEALTH NEWS TM YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES SPRING 2008 FROM THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS SCENE VOL. 10 NO. 2 Housing for People with Mental Illness Governor Eliot Spitzer Proposes Historic Housing Initiative Vision to Build Supportive Housing Praised by Mental Health Community Office of The Governor “Good homes are the key to making a New York State community livable. For over 100 years, New York led the nation with a progres- sive, visionary housing policy that helped overnor Eliot Spitzer today to ensure that people had housing they visited the Rheingold Houses could afford,” said Governor Spitzer. “In in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to recent years, that vision has dimmed. In G highlight steps his administra- too many parts of our State, our children tion is taking to increase affordable and cannot afford to come back to the supportive housing throughout New York. neighborhoods that they grew up in, and Housing advocates, developers, commu- their parents cannot afford to stay in the nity and business leaders applauded the homes where they raised their families. I Governor’s historic $400 million Housing will propose the biggest housing initiative Opportunity Fund, which was announced in a generation, a $400 million Housing during the State of the State address last Opportunity Fund. This fund will build week. The proposal is part of a $1.5 bil- homes for the men and women who teach lion infrastructure and economic develop- our kids and police our streets. This fund ment plan to enhance economic growth will also build supportive housing that and opportunity across the state, and part enables persons with disabilities and others of Governor Spitzer’s plan to ensure New with special needs to live independently.” York is the best place to live, work, raise a family and run a business. see Governor Spitzer on page 42 Mental Health Housing Waiting List Legislation Mental Health Housing in New York State: Introduced in the New York State Senate An Interview with OMH Commissioner Mike Hogan Office of NYS Senator Staff Writer Thomas P. Morahan Mental Health News ew York State Senator Tho- How important is housing for mas P. Morahan (R-C-I-WF, someone recovering from New City), Chairman of the mental illness? Safe, decent N Senate Committee on Mental Q and affordable housing is a cor- Health and Developmental Disabilities nerstone of recovery from mental illness, today reintroduced legislation (S 568) as well as a mainstay of "the American establishing a waiting list for people with Dream." Stable access to good housing is mental illnesses seeking community a fundamental problem for many people housing and support services. with mental illness because of their pov- “Matching an individual's needs erty, the limited supply of very-low- with suitable housing and services in income housing, the rising cost of rental the most integrated setting is very im- market housing and discrimination. portant and needed. This bill is a pow- erful first step in identifying current Q. How do you respond to those who and future needs for mental health say that we need more mental health housing in New York State. The legis- housing? New York and the nation face lation would help to bring the state in a crisis in affordable housing. Many fac- line with the Americans with Disabili- tors contribute to this problem, including ties Act,” said Senator Morahan. Thomas P. Morahan the federal government’s abdication of a Michael F. Hogan In 2007 the legislation passed the Sen- low-income housing development role ate and Assembly, but was vetoed by as the needs of those with serious mental and distress in the housing finance mar- area and on Long Island) is the epicenter Governor Spitzer. “I anticipate that the illnesses, he will concur that the time has ketplace. With the highest proportion of of a national mental health housing crisis. merits of this legislation will result in indeed come for this legislation to be- renter-occupied housing among the states, Governor Spitzer’s proposal to establish passage in both houses of the legislature. come law,” said Morahan. very high housing prices, and large num- a $400 million Housing Opportunity Fund And I am also confident, that when the bers of poor people with a disability, New Governor reviews the facts, data, as well see Senator Morahan on page 41 York State (especially in the Metro NYC see Commissioner Hogan on page 25 NON PROFIT Mental Health News Education, Inc. ORGANIZATION 16 Cascade Drive U.S. POSTAGE PAID Effort, PA 18330 WHITE PLAINS, NY PERMIT NO. 153 PAGE 2 MENTAL HEALTH NEWS ~ SPRING 2008 Table of Contents The Publisher’s Desk Columns 3 From the Publisher: Reflections on Supportive Housing 6 The Mental Health Lawyer: The Padavan Law 7 Point of View: Housing for Older Adults with SMI Mental Health NewsDesk 8 The NYSPA Report: Electronic Medical Records 4 Home of Your Own Mortgages at OMRDD and OMH 9 The Economics of Recovery: Solution for The Homeless 4 Congress Passes Gun Law: Remains Stigmatizing 4 Britney Spears: Let’s Talk About All of Us Other Articles of Interest 5 Governor Spitzer Signs Prisoner Legislation 11 Agency Coalition Receives Grant to Address Health Crisis 5 Abilify Gets FDA Approval for Multiple Uses 21 Using Psychoeducation With Adolescents Housing For People with Mental Illness 27 Achieving Positive Outcomes 1 Governor Spitzer Proposes Historic Housing Initiative 27 The Mental Health Needs of Iraq-era Veterans 1 Senator Morahan Introduces Housing Legislation 28 Headlines that Perpetuate Stigma 1 Housing in NYS: An Interview with Commissioner Hogan 36 Mental Health News: Health and Wellness Forum 11 Guiding Principles for the Redesign of Housing Policies 37 Mental Health News Campaign Raises Vital Funds 12 Making a House a Home, Making Recovery a Value 13 Innovation in Housing: Three Model Programs 13 City Awards New Housing Contracts Upcoming Theme and Deadline Calendar 14 Residences for People Living with Mental Illness Summer 2008 Issue: “Employment for People With Mental Illness” 16 Housing Is Where Recovery Happens Deadline: May 1, 2008 18 Home at Fountain House Fall 2008 Issue: “The Interrelationship Between Physical & Mental Health” 18 Blending Housing and Mental Health Services Deadline: August 1, 2008 30 Transformations: Made Possible by Supportive Housing Winter 2009 Issue: “Understanding & Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” 32 In-Home Mental Health Care: A Holistic Approach Deadline: November 1, 2008 35 A Home of Their Own Spring 2009 Issue: “Follow-up Care After Hospitalization” 35 Community-Based Family Care for Adults Deadline: February 1, 2009 Mental Health News TM Board of Directors Chairman Vice-Chairman is a publication of Mental Health News Education, Inc, a federally approved tax-exempt nonprofit organization Peter C. Campanelli, PsyD, President & CEO Janet Z. Segal, LCSW, BCD, Chief Operating Officer that is registered with the New York State Charities Bureau. Institute for Community Living Four Winds Hospital Mailing Address: 16 Cascade Drive, Effort, PA 18330 Treasurer Anne Katz, Vice President See page 43 for subscription and advertising information. North Fork Bank Note: all articles sent to the publisher must be e-mailed. Members of the Board of Directors Group photo credits always view from left to right. Peter D. Beitchman, DSW, Executive Director Leo Leiderman, PsyD, Director, Latino Treatment Services Phone us at (570) 629-5960 or E-mail us at [email protected] The Bridge Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center Carmen Collado, LCSW, Director of Latino Affairs Peg Moran, LMSW, Senior Vice President Please visit our website Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services System Donald M. Fitch, MS., Executive Director Barry B. Perlman, MD, Director of Psychiatry The Center For Career Freedom St. Joseph’s Hospital – Yonkers www.mhnews.org Michael B. Friedman, LMSW Giselle Stolper, EdM, Executive Director Public Policy Consultant Mental Health Association of New York City Mental Health News does not endorse the views, products, Mary Hanrahan, LCSW, Government Relations Specialist Alan Trager, Executive Director & CEO or services contained herein. No part of this publication New York Presbyterian Hospital Westchester Jewish Community Services may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Amy Kohn, DSW, Executive Director & CEO Jonas Waizer, PhD, Chief Operating Officer Mental Health News is not responsible for omissions or errors. Mental Health Association of Westchester F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services System Carolyn Reinach Wolf, Esq. Copyright © 2008 Mental Health News. All rights reserved. Reinach Wolf, Rothman, and Stern MENTAL HEALTH NEWS ~ SPRING 2008 PAGE 3 From The Publisher In My Room: Reflections on The Lifeline of Supportive Housing By Ira H. Minot, LMSW For these reasons, studies show that sup- Providing housing must be the corner- Founder and Executive Director portive housing often increases property stone of a comprehensive mental health Mental Health News Education, Inc. values. Because supportive housing is recovery system. New York State cur- designed to meet tenants’ needs, the peo- rently has about 30,000 units of suppor- ple who live there thrive. Dozens of stud- tive and licensed housing. The NYS Cam- was 12 years old when I first heard ies attest to the positive impacts of this paign for Mental Health Housing continues a beautiful song by the Beach Boys form of housing stating that residents stay to call for preserving and reforming existing called “In my Room”. The year was housed, get healthy and reconnect to the units, and developing 35,000 new units of 1963. It was the year President John community. mental health housing statewide over the IF. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas next ten years. This plan must succeed. and when 200,000 people marched on My Personal Experience My experience in receiving supportive Washington in support of civil rights and housing so quickly was the exception, not heard Dr.