MHA's Programs and Servces
Child and Adolescent Services
Parent and Family Services
Adult Services
LifeNet
Community Outreach and Public Education

Adult Services

Another Way-Bronx Self-Help Program

Another Way: Bronx Self-Help Program is an advocacy, information and referral service, helping individuals with mental illness help themselves and advising and guiding them on how to manage daily life concerns.

Since its inception, the program has helped over 100 consumers navigate through child welfare, the New York City Housing Authority, courts and other government systems. Another Way also offers weekly workshops that provide useful information to mental health consumers residing thoughout the Bronx.

Another Way is staffed exclusively by trained Peer Specialists, individuals who have been through the mental health system themselves and who are in recovery and able to help others. As Peer Specialists, they have first-hand experience with the challenges those with mental illness face on a daily basis.

Another Way
369 East 148th Street
Bronx, NY 10455
Tel: (718) 585-5724
Fax: (718) 364-3357

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Supported Housing Programs

MHA's Supported Housing Programs provide housing to SPMI and MICA individuals and families whose mental illness has been stabilized. Many of the consumers served by these programs have histories of homelessness, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, relapse, and/or are parents whose goal is to reunite with their children. With scatter-site studio and one-bedroom apartments for singles and couples in Manhattan and the Bronx, as well as scatter-site two bedroom apartments in the Bronx for parent(s) and one child, the Supported Housing Programs offer a level of supervision appropriate to the integration of the SPMI or MICA consumer into independent housing in the community.

All tenants receive case management services on an as-needed basis. Their apartments are visited three times per month, once by a Case Manager and twice by a trained Peer Specialist. Monthly meetings with tenants and Supported Housing staff provide socialization, conflict resolution skills and self-empowerment. The much-coveted "Tenant of the Month" award, accompanied by a gift, is a highlight of these meetings. Recreational activities, such as movies, restaurant trips, or cultural events, are decided by the tenants and provide enjoyable outings to places they might never otherwise experience.

The Supported Housing Programs are part of MHA's comprehensive array of Adult Services. Consumers have access to Recovery Works, a day treatment program for MICA consumers; Harlem Bay Network, a weekday and evening psychosocial clubhouse; Open House, a Friday night recreational program; Fast Track to Employment, an award-winning, nationally recognized employment placement and support program for SPMI consumers; Another Way, which provides referral and advocacy services to consumers with mental illness; and Parent Resource Centers for consumers who need support and advocacy around children's issues.

Eligible consumers must be ready to live in independent housing. The Supported Housing Programs are designed to specifically address the housing and supportive service needs of individuals with serious and persistent mental illness with or without co-occurring substance abuse and/or alcohol dependencies.

For further information or to make a referral, contact:

Coordinator of Supported Housing
2011 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Tel: (212) 360-6835
Fax: (212) 860-3658

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Recovery Works

Recovery Works is a unique model for working with formerly homeless MICA and SPMI consumers. The transitional living program is comprised of twelve beds each for men and women in a three-story building and six beds in nearby apartments for consumers who are ready for increased independence. After approximately 18 months in transitional housing, consumers are assisted with placement into a level of more permanent housing commensurate with their needs.

On the ground floor of Recovery Works is a day treatment program, which addresses issues specific to SPMI and MICA treatment. Groups include Relapse Prevention, Mental Illness/Medication Awareness, Double Trouble, Parenting, Housing and Life Skills. Because men and women in recovery have gender-specific needs, we offer separate Anger Management and Survivors of Childhood Trauma groups for men and women. The day treatment program accepts referrals from outside providers.

A psychiatrist and a nurse are on-site. Case Managers work with clients to assist them with benefits and housing, and to monitor program progress. Our Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist provides a wide range of services, including individual vocational counseling, stipended positions in the community, and referrals to VESID and Fast Track to Employment, MHA's employment and support program for SPMI consumers.

Recovery Works consumers are involved in the operation of the program and work with staff to establish skill-building activities in the area of relapse prevention, mental health treatment, education, socialization, healthy living and employment training and support. Ultimately, the goal of Recovery Works is to break the cycle pf psychiatric hospitalization, homelessness, and alcohol and drug addiction by teaching tools that promote housing permanence, psychiatric stability, a clean and sober lifestyle, and independent living.

For further information or to make a referral, contact:

Program Coordinator
Recovery Works
2011 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Tel: (212) 360-6835
Fax: (212) 860-3658

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Fast Track to Employment

Whether consumers are ready to improve their work skills with on- the- job training or return to work part-or full-time, Fast Track to Employment – an award winning employment service in New York City – is dedicated to helping them find and keep the right job.

Along with our programs providing employment services to all consumers of mental health services, our uptown program is designed specifically for Bronx and Upper Manhattan residents who, in addition to having a mental illness, have a history of substance abuse, homelessness or involvement with the criminal justice system. This program offers additional services such as relapse prevention, and a ten-week classroom component.

How Does Fast Track Work?

Fast Track provides professional assistance at each step in the process of returning to work:

• The Fast Track professional team helps consumers to obtain permanent and competitive employment
• Consumers are provided with employment services that they select and that are specifically tailored to their unique needs
• Fast Track helps to build positive awareness in the business community of the need to integrate individuals with mental illness into the workforce, helping to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the workplace.

The Right Choice

Unlike most other employment services that focus on filling jobs for employers, Fast Track works for consumers to help them meet their goals and find exactly the right job.

What makes Fast Track the right choice for consumers when they are ready to return to the workforce? While more traditional vocational rehabilitation programs rely on lengthy pre-vocational training and sheltered work settings as a first step in preparing consumers for work, Fast Track uses a highly individualized rapid place/train model that has proven to be one of the most effective employment strategies for people with psychiatric disabilities. The program uses a continuum of services and resources to help consumers:

• Successfully transition to work.
• Maintain employment.
• Develop and implement career plans.

• Highly flexible, individualized services and time frames.
• Integrated mainstream pre-vocational and competitive job placements.

A Proven Formula for Success

Fast Track has a demonstrated record of success attributable to its expertise in matching consumers with jobs in which they are most likely to succeed. This contrasts with more conventional placement approaches that rely solely upon maintaining a job bank, which limits consumers' job choices and the range of jobs with which they can be matched.

Fast Track works with over 80 employers in the New York City area from business sectors that include technology, financial services, law firms, retailers and a wide range of not-for-profit organizations. Participants work in professional, administrative, technical, clerical and business support positions.

A Range of Employment Options

1. The Internship Program
   Consumers who have not worked for a number of years may be good candidates for Fast Track's work experience internship program. Based on a consumer's interests, career goals and strengths, Fast Track professionals develop an individualized employment plan and a competitive, mainstream work internship to help him or her develop the skills needed for competitive employment in a chosen area and obtain a current work reference. Upon completion of the internship, Fast Track works with the consumer to develop a part- or full-time job in his or her chosen area of work.

2. Assisted Competitive Employment Program (ACE)
   Fast Track's ACE programs are designed for consumers who are prepared to return to competitive employment more quickly. Fast Track Placement Specialists work with consumers to achieve rapid re-entry into the workforce, identifying part- and full-time employment opportunities based on the consumer's interests, goals and strengths. Once the consumer is employed, the Placement Specialist continues to provide support. On- and off-site job coaching and individual counseling are available, as well as on-going peer support through the program's job clubs.

3. Enclave in Industry Program
   For consumers residing in Manhattan who need more structure and support in transitioning to competitive employment, the enclave program offers a unique and highly supportive solution. Consumers obtain mainstream, competitive part- and full-time positions, while benefiting from individualized on- and off-site support.

For More Information
Call Fast Track at (212) 964-5253 x806 or, Uptown, at (212) 828-8747 Ext. 23.

Fast Track to Employment has been selected by the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities as a national best practice model for employment programs serving people with psychiatric disabilities.

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Harlem Bay Network Clubhouse

The Harlem Bay Network Clubhouse, an accredited member of the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD), includes Members and Staff who work side by side to build a supportive, caring community that empowers Members to establish and deepen friendships, pursue employment, educational and recreational opportunities, and help one another live rich rewarding lives. The only requirement for membership is a documented history of mental illness. Membership is voluntary and for a lifetime.

• Unit 1: Intake/Clerical/Advocacy/Recreation
• Unit 2: Finance/Maintenance/Employment
• Unit 3: Café

Active participation in the clubhouse operations strengthens organizational skills and builds self-confidence, while giving members the opportunity to develop new skills and interests.

A Basic Literacy class is also offered at the clubhouse, and clubhouse staff can also assist in finding tutors, GED preparation and more advanced courses for members. Computers are available for members use.

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