Consumer-Run Programs and Drop-In Centers:
Providing a Rationale and Research Base for
Implementation of Recovery Oriented Services
in Fairfax County
Empowered for a Change: Working Conference to Create
Consumer-Run Drop-In Centers in Fairfax Counties
March 5, 2005
What Makes Drop-In Centers Unique?
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Consumers being served by consumers gain from being
served by staff who are more empathic and more capable
of engaging them in mental health services (Mowbray, et
al, 1996 as cited in the Surgeon General’s Report on
Mental Health, 1999)
Provides persons with mental illness with a way to change
the service delivery system (either individually or
systematically)
“Ph.D. in the school of hard knocks”
Data on consumer-delivered services
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Decreased symptoms, increased coping skills,
increased life satisfaction and lessen feelings of
isolation (Salzar, 2002; Davidson et al., 1999;
Chamberlin et al., 1996).
 Improvements in psychiatric symptoms and
decreased hospitalizations (Galanter, 1988; &
Kurtz, 1988)
 Enhanced self-esteem and social functioning
(Markowitz, DeMassi, Knight & Solka, 1996).
 Peer programs empower people because their
practice facilitates a grass-roots process of selfefficacy, self-esteem, and the belief that positive
personal change can come about through one’s
own efforts (Campbell & Leaver, 2003).
What is the Role of a Drop-In
Center?
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As a full and legitimate partner in a mental
health system that provides a continuum of
recovery-oriented services and supports for
persons with mental illness.
 Not as a substitute for clinical services
 More than just “filling in the gaps”
What (and Who) is In a Drop-In
Center?
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People with shared experiences of a mental
illness
A comfortable environment
Support groups
Educational groups
Laundry facilities
Computers
Assistance with finding housing/employment
Consumer Operated Service
Programs
Consumer-Operated Services

Programs that are administratively controlled and operated
by consumers and emphasize self-help and their
operational approach
 Multi-site study of 1827 participants who were randomly
assigned to either traditional MH services or traditional
MH services and peer run services
From: The Consumer-Operated Service Program Multisite Research Initiative: Overview
and Preliminary Findings. Presentation made by Jean Campbell at the Alternatives
Conference
Qualities of Consumer-Operated Service
Programs (COSP)
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Participant responsive
 Offers linkage to other supports
 Accessible
 Safe
 Informal setting
 Reasonable accommodation (no timeline or “strings”
attached to participation)
 Reciprocity and Mutuality
 Empowerment
Qualities of COSP Programs
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Creativity and Humor
Choice
Recovery
Acceptance and Respect for Diversity
Respect for Spiritual Growth
From “Common Ingredients of COSPS” by Jean Campbell
(2000).
COSP Results
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Participants randomly assigned to consumer-operated
services programs of the drop-in type in addition to their
traditional MH services showed greater improvement in
well-being over the course of the study than participants
randomly assigned to only traditional mental health
services at those sites”
From: The Consumer-Operated Service Program Multisite Research Initiative: Overview
and Preliminary Findings. Presentation made by Jean Campbell at the Alternatives
Conference
Examples of Consumer-Run
Programs and Drop-In Centers
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On Our Own of Maryland/Soul Haven Drop-in
Center: This drop-in center serves over 200
individuals. The center offers crafts, computers,
socialization, holiday parties and recreational
activities in the community. The center is open
Fridays 5pm-8pm and Saturday and Sundays
1pm–5pm. A hot meal is served each day that
they operate.
Examples…
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Project Return: The Next Step
(PR:TNS): is a consumer operated peer
support program for people with mental
illnesses For over two decades, PR:TNS has
provided social support community
integration, employment, training and
advocacy activities throughout Los Angeles
County.
Examples…
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Laurie Mitchell Employment Center
(LMEC) -LMEC offers computer training,
computer access and employment services
with no referral, residence or income
requirements. LMEC serves over 400
individuals in two Fairfax County locations.
Funding of Drop-In Centers
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State General funds
 Block Grant dollars
 Foundations/Corporations
Criteria for Reimbursement of Peer
Support Through Medicaid
Components of state rules on peer services:
 Definition of covered activities (social and daily living skills training,
services to support residential or employment placements and case
management, services furnished through consumer-run businesses)
 Definitions of who is eligible to furnish rehabilitation or case
management services so as to include individuals who have
experienced mental illness. (can be very broad or restrictive depending
on the state)
 Services must be designed to meet specific goals in the individuals
service plan and documentation of services in the individuals service
plan
 Usually must be supervised by a qualified licensed professional
(From “Recovery In The Community: Funding Mental Health Rehabilitative Approaches
Under Medicaid – Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. 2001)
Developing a Drop-In Center
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Incorporate adequate time for planning – Developing mission,
philosophy, organizational structure takes time in the beginning, but is
time well spent
Collaboration/Cooperation: Make sure there is agreement from
stakeholders on the concept of Drop-In Centers
Sustainability - Don’t wait until the last minute to seek long-term
funding
Cultural Competence–Fairfax County is a diverse community – bring
on board people of color in the planning and implementation phase
Outcomes/Research – Build in ways to track success and look for
ways to partner with Universities to research effectiveness of Drop-In
Center
*Based on Consumer/Survivor-Operated Self-Help Programs: A Technical Report.
USDHHS/SAMHSA/CMHS
Developing a Drop-In Center (cont’d)
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Use the Final Report of the Presidents New
Freedom Commission on Mental Health as an
advocacy tool!
 State Infrastructure Grants - $20 Million in state
grants
 Talk or write to your legislator, planning council
members, CSB members regarding your plan and
potential sources of funding
 Call NMHA’s National Consumer Supporter
Technical Assistance Center (703-838-7505 or
sthompson@nmha.org) Web: www.ncstac.org