Annual Report 2006
7/15/2007
Table of Contents
Page
Executive
Director's Letter 2
Board
of Director’s Letter 3
Board
of Directors 4
Mission
and Vision Statement 5
History 6
Administrative
Team 10
Summary
of Services
County Profiles 12
Program Profiles 14
Goals
and Outcomes 18
Survey 21
Financial
Highlights 23
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S SUMMARY 2006
Dear Stakeholders:
Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. has
enjoyed success over the past year due to the tireless efforts of the agency
staff, peers, and Board of Directors. The agency’s commitment to empower
consumers to live independently and take control of their recovery programs has
been inspiring and rewarding. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and
appreciation to each one of the Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. Board of Directors
for their ongoing support and direction in leading Housing Options and to every
staff member and consultant whose dedication, commitment and compassion is
second to none. To the New York State Office of Mental Health and Erie County,
Cattaraugus County, Chautauqua County and Allegany County Departments of Mental
Health, we thank you for your dedication and encouragement in supporting peer
services.
During 2006 we expanded our
self-program and training program and became much more active within the
counties we currently serve along with successfully completing the OMH training
deliverables to the Chautauqua County Mental Health Association.
With all Housing Options Made Easy,
Inc. has accomplished during the last 17 years, the future has never been
brighter. With continued passion from
the board, staff, and community, the growth and quality of services provided
can only exceed all of our expectations.
Respectively submitted,
Joseph M. Woodward, CASAC
Executive Director
Board of Director’s Letter
The last year has been an exiting time for Housing Options
Made Easy, Inc. The Agency is
experiencing positive change with the new Executive Director, Mr. Joseph
Woodward. He has shown a proactive
management style that has been well received by the employees.
Working effectively with the board, he has established a new
benefit structure for the employees.
Employee rate scales to increase the viability of Peer Advocacy in the
community and establish a method for advancement for our employees have been
initiated. In addition, we are actively
searching for new properties to provide housing for our clients and increase
our assets by acquiring real property.
It has been my pleasure to see some of the long term goals
and objectives coming to fruition with the dedication and teamwork of the
entire agency. At this time our training
program is advancing in the community.
We are actively networking within the mental health community to acquire
new grants. Other programs, such as home
ownership, are under investigation for inclusion in our service menu to
consumers.
As we go into the future, I look forward to a period of
growth for the agency. We seek to
acquire additional grants so that we may provide new services for our
clients. It is also our hope that we
will be able to provide services for more consumers and more jobs within the
community.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Coffman
President, Housing Options Made Easy, Inc.
BOARD
MEMBERS 2006
Michael Coffman - President
Consultant
William Young
- Vice President
Retired
Business Owner
Cheryl Story - Treasurer
Branch
Manager HSBC
Jessica Anderson- Secretary
Southern Tier Legal Services
Cyndie Koener
ACT Program,
TLC
Charles Roberts
Cattaraugus
Community Action, Inc. Derby Supportive Services
Betty Accordino
Assist.
Executive Director, Healthy Community Alliance
Thomas W. Becker
Executive
Director, Suburban Adult Services
Shawn Cunningham
Chief
Financial Officer, Suburban Adult Services
Nan Cobb
Retired
Social Worker
Lenny Ligori
Executive
Director, Directions in Independent Living
Rick Huber
Executive
Director, Mental Health Association of Jamestown
Mission Statement
To
provide supported housing and community support services to individuals
diagnosed with mental illness so that they live with dignity, have choices in
their lives, and achieve interdependence in the community.
Vision Statement
Housing
Options is a not-for-profit supported housing and community support services
agency developed and operated by and for recipients of mental health services.
Housing
Options is committed to decreasing stigma by increasing awareness of mental
illness through information, education and advocacy. Efforts are focused on
recipients, family members, community members, and mental health professionals
in the counties of Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany.
Housing
Options is building a continuum of accessible services that will meet the needs
of recipients. These services will promote empowerment, wellness and recovery.
We respect the uniqueness and individuality of each person and their right of
choice.
Inherent
in this is an understanding and acceptance of the corresponding responsibility
accompanying individual decisions.
History
Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. is a
not-for-profit organization that subsidizes housing and community support for
recipients of mental health services.
The agency provides safe and affordable housing for consumers in Erie,
Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Allegany counties, three of which are considered
rural.
Housing Options began in 1990, when a group of
past and present mental health consumers recognized the need to advocate for
better and safer housing for individuals being discharged from the
hospitals. “I drew on my own
experiences,” said Ms. Judy Vega, who became instrumental in the development of
the agency. “When I was leaving the
hospital I needed assistance and it wasn’t out there. At first I thought I was an isolated case,
but as I made phone calls and sent out surveys I found out that I was not
alone.”
Thus began a grassroots movement, which started
with a small office on the grounds of the Gowanda Psychiatric Center. Ms. Vega was fond of saying, “we started with
a shoe box that held the files.” With
the support of Dr. Mary Jo Hodges, a former administrator for the Gowanda
Psychiatric Center, Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. became incorporated in
1990.
Ms. Vega was fortunate not only for the support of
Dr. Mary Jo Hodges, but from people in Erie County, such as Kathy Lynch, Dick
Chirrali, Jerry Scott and Mike Wiener, to name a few. Ultimately, in 1991,
crisis beds for housing were created on the grounds of the Gowanda Psychiatric
Center, and in 1992 Judy Vega was hired as Executive Director.
Board members at the time consisted of Dr. Mary Jo
Hodges, Anthony DeVito, MSW, Donna Tarnish, ICM and Walter Horton representing
the community. Consumers at the time
were Sheila Ramsy, Annie Frasier, Herb Simmons who served on the board until
2004, and Darren Fleegher who served as Board President until the year 2000.
The agency began to grow and by 1993 received
funding from NYS to place 30 mental health recipients into safe and affordable housing
in Erie County. By Oct. of that year, 20 of these recipients had been placed in
the community. Arvela Heider was hired
as grant writer.
It was an exciting year. Ms. Vega also began
collaborating with Doug Usiak, from the Independent Living Center, in Buffalo
and with Anthony DeVito from the Buffalo Psychiatric Center regarding a peer
training and support program. Mental
health recipients would be trained and hired as Peer Advocates. The peer would become a role model for those
moving into apartments for the first time.
It was also a way of providing mental health recipients with meaningful
work.
Mr. DeVito initially became involved with this
project as Discharge Coordinator for the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. Because of
his enthusiasm for this project he was asked to become part of the Supported
Housing Program for BPC. He was quoted
as saying, “it was rewarding to see the recipient’s potential being realized”.
Today the agency continues to provide the Peer
Advocacy Training, and the program has grown.
Classes are now held on site at the Gowanda main office and there is a
full two-week training held twice a year.
Many are sent from other peer run agencies. Many have moved on to better employment, and
many because of this opportunity have gone back to school. The agency has become recognized as one of
the few to provide this extensive training in WNY.
All employees of Housing Options are peers who are
in mental health recovery. They share
their strengths and experiences to assist others in achieving personal
goals. The Peer Advocate assists the
recipients in finding adequate and safe housing as well as finding and
receiving services that they identify as a need. Peer services continue for the duration of
the rental stipend services received from Housing Options, as the recipient
strives for health, independence and empowerment.
In 1994, after major renovations were completed,
Housing Options took up residency in the large gray building on 75 Jamestown
Street, where it is currently located.
They also purchased two vans that enabled them to provide transportation
for those living in the community.
The Mental Health Association also presented
Housing Options with two awards for Program and Outstanding Rehabilitation
Agency of the Year.
The agency continued to grow and expand. By 1996, parenting classes, networking
classes, and a book club were also added to the programs available to
recipients, and in 1998, The Peer Friendship and Resource Line was established.
The Resource Line is unique in that it was a
non-crises service phone line that provided consumers in four counties a place
to call after hours and on weekends.
Peers working on the warm line all go through the Peer Advocacy
Training. What made this line unique is that peers were paid. The warm line is open seven days a week and
on holidays. It continues to be a
success today, with calls averaging about 400 per month.
By 1999 as the agency grew, space was becoming
limited. Administrative staff now
included not just Ms. Vega, who continued as Executive Director, but Ms. Tammi
Smith as Administrative Director, and Mr. Preston Danner as Director of
Finances. Mr. Denis Bouchard had been
hired as Housing Coordinator, and Jim Hiams was in charge of computers. Clerks included Sharon Kelly, receptionist,
and Betty Smith as Payroll clerk. In
that year Anita Rusiecki was hired as Support Services Supervisor.
If the first floor was crowded, the basement was
becoming worse. It housed the Friendship
Line, three desk areas for peer advocates, as well as another for Sandy Hooten,
Peer Coordinator. It was also filled with tables for group meetings and
trainings, as well as the library.
Funds were finally secured to renovate the third
floor, as well as putting in an elevator, and the move to the third floor was
completed in January of 2000, providing more space for the growing agency.
Growth did not stop with just the
renovations. By the time of the agency’s
10th anniversary, the agency went from a few crises beds to 180
beds, covering four counties, Erie County, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and
Allegany.
Staff grew as well. In 1994 the handful of Peer Advocates were
trained and working out of Erie County.
By 2000, over 26 Advocates were working out of the four counties. Erie had two full time advocates and
Cattaraugus County had one full time advocate, and 23 hourly peers working
throughout all four counties.
The agency celebrated their 10th
anniversary on May 5th, 2000.
Ed Knight, Chief Executive officer of the Mental Health Empowerment Project,
was the keynote speaker. A Lifetime
Achievement Award was presented to Mary Jo Hodge who had been instrumental
helping in the development of the agency in its early days. A Media Award was also presented to Rich
Newburg from Channel 4; he was given this award for his compassionate and
informative coverage of mental health issues in the community.
The year 2000 was also to become a year of changes
for the organization. As with any
organization that grows, it was not without internal problems. Organizational skills and abilities could not
catch up with a growing budget, and increasing and ever changing staff.
Ms. Tammy Smith resigned in Feb. of that year, and
Mr. Glenn Hooten was brought in as consultant to assist with the changes that
needed to be made. In June of that year, because of physical problems, Ms. Vega
resigned, followed by Mr. Danner. During
this interim Mr. Hooten became Acting Executive Director and eventually
Executive Director.
The agency was again fortunate enough to have the
support of Kathy Lynch, from Recipient Affairs, as well as Dick Charrali, Gerry
Scott, and a host of others, including Peter Asheden and Ike Powell from the
Mental Health Empowerment Project.
Under Mr. Hooten’s leadership the agency continued
to grow. Beds were again added to Erie
County and Cattaraugus County. A part
time financial consultant, Mr. James Carline, was hired, and well as Ms. Monica
Boyd for the Human Resource Dept.
In 2001, the Peer Accreditation association of
Albany presented Housing Options full accreditation, making the agency the only
peer-accredited facility in WNY.
The number of consumers and staff in Cattaraugus
County were accumulating at a rapid pace and in 2001 our first off site office
was opened in Olean. The staffing pattern
consisted of one full time peer, one part time peer, and three hourly
peers. Everyone was excited. Staff no longer had to work out of their
homes and cars. They had a place where
they could meet with recipients, do their paper work and have it all in one
spot. There was room for meetings as
well as groups. The agency also assigned
a peer to work at the Drop In Center two doors away.
Within six months another office in conjunction
with the Mental Health Association was opened in Jamestown, and by 2004 Erie
County opened up its office on Kensington Ave. They quickly outgrew this
office, and in 2005 a new office opened on Elmwood Ave.
In 2002 Housing Options received a Certificate of
Appreciation from Governor Pataki, for Standard of Achievement.
It was also the year the agency branched out.
Under Mr. Hooten’s leadership and with the approval of the board, Housing
Options purchased two homes on Chestnut Street in Gowanda. Both houses would
provide six apartments for mental health recipients. It was a highly successful
investment. Mr. David Spulecki was hired
as Computer Specialist.
By 2003, board members had resigned and new ones
joined. Cyndie Koener became President after Donna Tarnish resigned. Mike Coffman, a former employee, became vice
president, and eventually took over as President, a position he holds today.
By the time the agency celebrated its 15th
anniversary in 2005, Housing Options was serving 231 mental health recipients
in four counties, a far cry from those 30 beds in Erie County. Staff was now full or part time, and
receiving full benefits. Two new vans
were bought and in 2004 a van was purchased for Olean.
But 2005 was also to be a year of sadness for all
involved with Housing Options. Sandy
Hooten passed away in Sept. of that year.
Sandy had always been a driving force at Housing Options when it came to
the peer movement. It was because of her
influence that changes made for peers working at Housing Options became
possible. She left Housing Options in
2004 because of an injury…but she was always a part of us.
Sandy’s passing not only affected the staff of
Housing Options, by all who knew her. In
January of 2006, Mr. Glen Hooten resigned as Executive Director.
Throughout the past 15 years staff has come and
gone, as with any growing organization.
Some to move to better things, others have left for a variety of
reasons. Others, such as Arvela Heider,
and James Carline have remained steadfast.
Board members were the same. Some have come and
gone for a variety of reasons. The
agency has been fortunate in that some have gone only to come back. Cheryl Story and Betty Accordino are
back. Newcomers have joined us, such as
Tom Becker, Charles Roberts, Shawn Cunningham, Jessica Anderson, Nan Cobb,
Lenny Liguori.
Others have remained steadfast; Cindy Koener, Bill
Young, and Mike Coffman. Mr. Coffman’s
position as President has not always been easy.
Yet the agency has benefited from his loyalty to Housing Options, the
agency’s vision and mission, and his loyalty to staff.
In May of 2006 Housing Options entered another
era. Mr. Joe Woodward, BS, CSAC was
named Executive Director. Mr. Woodward
came to Housing Options with a lengthy history in the field of mental health
and substance abuse. His vision for the agency is that of growth, just as his
predecessors. He is looking at growth
and expansion in housing, staff development, VESID (employment opportunities),
and expanding the agency’s training program.
What Mr. Woodward has brought to the agency in a
year is what Housing Options has always been about…Motivation, excitement,
growth and opportunities, which has always been the vision and mission
statement of Housing Options.
SO THE HISTORY CONTINUES!
Administrative Team
Executive Director - Joseph M. Woodward
Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. Board of
Directors appointed Mr. Joseph M. Woodward, B.S., CASAC as Executive Director,
effective May 8, 2006. Mr. Woodward comes to Housing Options with over 22 years
of experience in the alcohol, drug and mental health field. Most recently, he
was Executive Director of Action for Mental Health, Inc. where he has been
known for developing numerous community partnerships and programs and was
instrumental in creating a strong mental health anti-stigma outreach campaign
in Erie County. Mr. Woodward has an Associates degree in Liberal Arts and
Community Mental Health, along with a Bachelors of Science in Mental Health
Program Development and Evaluation; he has been a Certified Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Counselor since 1987, is close to finishing a Masters of
Divinity Degree and has completed a Masters level Administrative Management
Certificate Program through the University of Buffalo School of Social Work
Continuing Education Program. He has
authored numerous newsletter articles on “Wellness through Relationships”,
hosted a weekly radio show regarding wellness through relationships and
breaking mental health stigma. He is
also trained in Person Centered Planning and is known for his training skills
in Leadership, Supervision, PCP, Stigma and mentorship.
Housing
Coordinator - Denis Bouchard
Mr. Denis Bouchard has
been employed with Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. since 1993. Mr. Bouchard has
been involved in many of the changes at Housing Options Made Easy, Inc., in
particular at the beginning of the peer advocacy movement. Mr. Bouchard has
also seen an increase in supported housing beds during his time at Housing
Options Made Easy, Inc. with a current count of 238 beds in the four counties
served. Mr. Bouchard has been a resident of Gowanda since 1992 and is also a
former client of Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. Housing Options Made Easy,
Inc. assisted him when he was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety.
After his recovery, Mr. Bouchard applied for a part-time position at Housing
Options Made Easy, Inc. and was hired. Since that time he has become a
full-time employee and eventually worked his way up to his current position.
Mr. Bouchard enjoys his work at Housing Options Made Easy, Inc. where he has
the chance to help others as he was once helped. When not working, Mr. Bouchard
spends his time with family and friends who have been his greatest support.
Support
Services Coordinator — Anita L. Rusiecki
Ms. Rusiecki has been working in the field of Mental
Health since 1981, when she became a therapist aide at the Gowanda Psychiatric
Center. At that time she was married,
had three children and was living in Eden NY.
In 1981, she enrolled at Empire State College,
earning a B.S. in Community Services. She was elected valedictorian at
graduation in 1983, graduating at the top of her class. While at GPC Anita
became involved in numerous committees, and as Chairperson for the Employee
Assistance Program was selected to attend the Rutgers University Training program
on Alcoholism in 1985. In 1989, Anita was promoted to Social Worker Asst., and
covered five counties including, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany, and
Wyoming.
After the closing of GPC, Anita transferred to
Buffalo Psychiatric Center, where she worked until 1991, when transferred to
the West Seneca Developmental Center as Supervisor for a Cottage of 24
consumers. At this time, she also began working on her Master’s in Educational
Counseling at Canisius College. She graduated in 1993, and at the same time
began working at the Lake Shore Mental Health Unit as Senior Counselor. As a
Senior Counselor, her duties included facilitating several groups and doing
assessments and intakes for consumers presenting in the ER.
Ms. Rusiecki is a mental health consumer who
joined the Housing Options team in 1999, in her current position of Peer
Supervisor. After years of working on mental health units, Anita has enjoyed
the transition of observing first hand how today’s consumers have opportunities
to empower themselves, to see so many of them grow and succeed.
County Profiles
Cattaraugus
County Profile
With NYS funds, Housing Options operates a
supported housing program for 60 people.
[201]
With Cattaraugus Reinvestment Commissioner’s
Performance funds, Housing Options operates a supported housing program serving
fourteen (14) individuals with rental assistance and three individuals with
household startup. [201]
With CSS Funds, the agency will be providing community
support services including Peer Advocacy training and Peer Advocacy services to
individuals.
With Commissioner’s Performance Funds, Housing
Options operates a Resource and Support telephone line serving fifty-five (55)
individuals (multi-county). [201]
With Reinvestment Funds, Housing Options provides
one program serving six (6) individuals with household startup in apartments.
[201]
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
housing program (serving at least 12) for the homeless with mental illness. Renewed in 2006. [231]
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
housing program (serving at least 6) for the homeless with mental illness
awarded. To be renewed in 2007. [241]
Chautauqua
County Profile
With NYS funds, Housing Options operates a
supported housing program for 30 people.
[301]
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
housing program (serving at least 10) for the homeless with mental illness.
Renewed in 2005. [310]
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
housing program (serving at least 5) for the homeless with mental illness
(MICA) Renewed in 2005. [320]
With Reinvestment Funds, Housing Options
operates an empowerment program serving at least 20 people. [304]
Erie
County Profile
With Erie County funds, Housing Options operates a
supported housing program serving 40 people. [101]
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
program (serving at least 20) for the homeless with mental illness. [110]
With Erie County Reinvestment Funds, Housing
Options provides case management for these beds which includes peer services,
peer advocacy training and support groups for HUD Homeless. [109]
With Erie County Reinvestment Funds, matching HUD
S+C funds, operates a supported housing program for fifteen (15) people who are
classified as homeless.
With HUD funding, Housing Options operates a
program (serving at least 15) for the homeless with mental illness and chemical
dependency. [132].
HUD awarded 20 new beds for Erie County Homeless
in 2004. [141]
Allegany
County Profile
With NYS funds, Housing Options operates a
supported housing program for six (6) people.
[401]
With Reinvestment Funds, Housing Options operates
a supported housing program for up to three (3) people. [413]
Program Profiles
RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY DEPOSITS
Coordinator of service: Denis
Bouchard
Other staff: Lorraine
Thorp
Mary Pope
Program Description
Rental
assistance is available through an application process. In 2006, 326 individuals received a monthly
stipend that is sent directly to the landlord.
An individual selects an apartment of his/her choice, renting it in
conjunction with the fair market rate.
The total household income, rental amount, and the number of people in
the household (including children), are taken into consideration when computing
the rental portion. Individuals pay 30%
of their income toward their rent and utilities, which is considered the
standard for affordable housing. Rental
assistance is available until a Section 8 opening occurs or another subsidy
takes effect.
Security deposits are available for those who
request them. Only one security deposit
is issued. The deposit is returnable
only to Housing Options. Reissue of
security deposit is based on a percentage rate.
If only 50% of the deposit is returned, then 50% of the next apartment's
deposit is issued. If 100% is returned,
then 100% is reissued. If someone loses
all of the security deposit, and it was not their fault, other arrangements are
made on an individual basis.
START-UP
Coordinator of service: Denis
Bouchard
Other staff: Lorraine
Thorp
Mary
Pope
Average Start-Up Cost $2,000
Program Description
Start‑up needs are available upon request. When an applicant fills out the application
packet, s/he request any items needed for the household (at this time
only). Such items as a couch, chair,
bed, end tables, toaster, lamps, sheets, etc ... may be requested to be
purchased. Not all requests are granted, but if it is needed, the
request for the items must be submitted with the application. Start‑up is one time
only. No items can be replaced if stolen
or broken. Funding is very limited.
TRANSPORTATION
Coordinator of service: Denis
Bouchard
Program Description
Transportation
options have increased since the organization first began in 1990. If an individual lives in an area where bus
transportation is available, then a bus pass may be purchased. There were bus passes in Erie County and in
Chautauqua County. We also have a driver and van to transport consumers who are
in need.
PEER ADVOCATE SPECIALIST SERVICES
Coordinator of service: Anita
Rusiecki
Other staff Laura
Bentley
Program Description
Peer advocate specialists are
individuals who have been through the mental health system themselves and can
help someone who needs some support, hands on assistance and a role model to
support their stability in the community.
The peer may assist in many different areas such as budgeting,
transportation needs, grocery shopping, etc... A few examples of their services
are an individual may need assistance in obtaining their entitlements or maybe
they are not sure on how to use the bus.
A person may need a peer to assist with baby sitting so that they can
attend a doctor's or therapy appointment.
An individual may be lonely and have no family support or friends and
peers are of great help in these situations.
PEER
TRAINING
Coordinator of service: Anita
Rusiecki
Other staff Laura
Bentley
In 2006, we trained 20 persons in our two week
Advocacy training and we trained another 231 individuals on a variety of topics
related to empowerment, advocacy and personal wellness.
Through the past ten years, Housing Options has
trained 257 recipients of mental health services. Of those, better than 33% have achieved
independence and remain in the peer field.
Another 10% have moved to other fields.
Approximately 85% of those persons were recipients of our housing
services. This is an area to nurture and
promote.
Interest in our peer training is coming to us,
unsolicited, from other agencies and workforce programs.
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT:
Housing Options staff and peers are actively
involved in Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany community activities,
boards and committees. We are now including a segment in our training program
to encourage all peers to become aware of the importance of service to our
work.
We have a working relationship with the
Partnership Group, Leadership Group, Housing Coalition, Anti-Stigma Task Force,
Public Policy forum and Homeless Housing Alliance in Erie County, along with
all major treatment providers. We also
have become very involved with the Mental Health sub-committees, Homeless
Coalitions, Recovery Initiative (In Cattaraugus County) and Housing Task force
in both Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, along with being active in New
York State’s Recipient Affairs Committee.
Housing Options also hosted NYS training seminar, “Tips and Tricks of
Social Security”, in which over 100 individuals representing providers, peers
and families throughout WNY attended.
SELF‑HELP INFORMATION
The Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) group had 848
in attendance during 2006.
The 12 Step Group was initiated in the middle of
October 2006 and met weekly with 105 total participants in attendance.
The Women’s Group, which met two times per month
starting in the summer of 2006, had 369 total participants in attendance.
FRIENDSHIP
RESOURCE AND SUPPORT LINE (WARM LINE)
Coordinator of service: Anita Rusiecki
Other staff: Susie
Lee, Mary Pope,
Brian
Lisky, Timothy Gawron
Number of telephone calls in 2006 was 4,594.
Program Description
The
Friendship Line began in November of 1998. This is a warm line
established for individuals who live in rural areas, such as Gowanda, that
don't have access to many social groups or other services available to them.
The friendship line assists persons with referrals, information, and someone to
listen to them. The friendship line will
be open in the evenings Monday ‑ Sunday, a total of 91 hours. The friendship line is available for
individuals living in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and southern Erie.
We maintain five regular Friendship Line
workers. Three have been manning the
phones since its inception. They, in
fact, function as peers to their regular callers.
Goals
Goal
1: To Provide Housing
Goal 2: To Empower Consumers
Goal
3: To Explore New Opportunities
Goal
1 - To Provide Housing
Objective
1 Provided housing for 238
people with mental illness
92
beds in Cattaraugus County
95
beds in Erie County
42
beds in Chautauqua County
9 in Allegany
County
Objective
2 Sought supported housing from
Counties, State and HUD
12
bed HUD program renewed in Cattaraugus County
6 bed
HUD program renewed in Cattaraugus County
20
bed S+C HUD Program renewed through Erie County
Objective
3 Provided startup for 66
individuals
32 in
Cattaraugus County
15
beds in Erie County
15
beds in Chautauqua County
4 in Allegany
County
Objective
4 Provided 3,463units of Peer
Support Services to those in the housing
program
1,296
units in Cattaraugus County
1,556
units in Erie County
517
units in Chautauqua County
94 units in
Allegany County
Goal 2: To Empower Consumers
Objective 1 Provided 585 units of "peer
only" services
256 units in
Cattaraugus County
128 units in Erie
County
177 units in
Chautauqua County
24 units in Allegany County
Objective 2 Trained 20 consumers to be Peer
Advocates
Objective 3 Provided additional trainings
Leadership training for staff
Computer
training for staff
Recovery
Model
Communication and conflict Resolution
Benefits
Counseling
Workplace
safety training
Driver safety
training
Objective 4 Provide
outreach to 60 isolated individuals through the Warm Line
Objective 5 Address transportation needs of clients by providing 32 bus
passes in Erie County, 6 passes in Chautauqua, and 2 in Allegany County
Objective 6 Provide
peer services in Cattaraugus County by having
an office in Olean open 20 hours
per week
Objective 7 Provide peer services in Erie
County by having an office in
Buffalo open at least 20 hours per week
Objective 8 Provide peer services in
Chautauqua County by having an
office in Jamestown open at least
16 hours per week
Goal
3: To Explore New Opportunities
Objective 1 Explore developing a Home Ownership Program
Contacted Eric Weigel to set up seminar in 2007
(Erie County Dept. of Mental Health is establishing
a home owner program)
Objective 2 Explore becoming a Training Center
VESID contract signed
Objective 3 Explore options with PROS
PROS put on hold by
state
Objective 4 Explore leadership training for staff
The new Director is working
on this type of training for staff
