No Man or Woman Left Behind

posted by Carolyn Powell – Chair, SUS Board of Directors

Every time public officials speak on the economic and social conditions in our society, I am reminded in my role as Services for the Underserved (SUS) Board Chair to also guide responses to economic realities while conveying my optimism about the future of the organization. Indeed, whether as individuals, family members, or business people, the American people have had to manage risks and pursue cost-savings while identifying and committing to opportunities for growth, innovation, and re-invention.

In this context, I find it interesting to note that the life situations of the individuals served by SUS are such that their needs are unwavering whether the economy is up or down. The inarguable truth is that our society will always need to provide high quality, person-centered housing, employment and supportive services to individuals with a range of special needs.

I am reminded of the military’s slogan, “No man or woman left behind.” I, therefore, ask that as we enter the new year, that you join with me and the SUS community to care for those whose need for support goes unabated through good times and bad. Their lives, our lives, will be far, far better as a result.

Happy New Year.

Reflecting on World AIDS Day

Posted by Nancy Southwell, Director of AIDS Services

This year’s World AIDS Day (12/1/09) was themed HIV:Reality to make the point that understanding the facts about HIV/AIDS is key to fighting the prejudice. And that fact reminds us that the fight against prejudice may be a harder struggle than the search for an HIV/AIDS vaccine. I’m particularly sensitive to that fact as I know that the SUS consumers I work with, People Living With AIDS (PLWA), are especially vulnerable to prejudice because their lives are further complicated by homelessness and mental illness, also sometimes by substance abuse, and always by poverty.

There is an abundance of research that conclude that people who are without homes do not manage their health well, do not see doctors regularly, do not take medication as prescribed, and generally have poor nutrition all of which contribute to more acute symptoms, increased hospitalizations, longer hospitalization stays, greater dependency on emergency services and shorter lives. Another fact: these are the people served by SUS. Another fact: these people are American citizens.
Because New York City is at the epicenter of the U.S. epidemic, and because SUS is aligned with the city’s most vulnerable citizens, SUS was awarded a $2.0 million, multi-year grant from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene via Public Health Solutions . Factors associated with poor adherence to medical care plan and antiretroviral medications will be addressed through this grant. These factors include: mental illness; substance abuse; inadequate housing; lack of transportation; legal difficulties; inadequate access to food; being of racial/ethnic minority; social stigma; lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS; health care provider bias and miscommunication; health care provider lack of knowledge or adherence to HIV/AIDS clinical guidelines. By reducing viral load in individuals and periodic assessment of HIV transmission risk with harm reduction counseling and partner notification where needed, HIV transmission may ultimately be reduced in the community.

A second grant for $1.75 million from the http://www.samhsa.gov/" target="_blank">Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will allow SUS to do even more. With the federal support we can introduce Wellness Works (an SUS initiative that integrates two evidence based practices – Wellness Self-Management and Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment) at SUS’ PLWA transitional supportive housing programs. “Homelessness is often rooted in underlying mental health conditions and other factors that may require a multifaceted approach,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, DDS, M.P.H. Wellness Works will expand, strengthen, and fully integrate treatment for persons who are homeless and have multiple co-morbidities, including HIV/AIDS.

These awards to SUS will result in enhanced services to homeless New Yorkers with HIV/AIDS, one part of a large fight against one of the world’s biggest challenges. We all need to learn the facts from each other to make our united fight vital and urgent. So I conclude by asking you to comment to this blogpost with methodologies and stories that promote understanding the reality of AIDS.

Resetting the Future – A Thanksgiving

Posted by Donna Colonna, Chief Executive Officer

A year ago, as we spiraled down into an economic recession, many forecast a reset for America – a significant reduction in the greed and overspending that caused our troubled times. Today, with so many people out of work, savings lost, and dreams deferred, it has unfortunately become clear that any reset will take more time and more sacrifice than predicted. Still, we can all give thanks that things aren’t worse.
We at SUS are striving hard to do our part in resetting the future. We are doing so because we can, and because we must. That SUS can seize opportunities before us is due to the wealth of thank you’s owed to 1600 SUS staff. Because they live the values of social purpose, compassion, hard work, and collegiality that make change possible, SUS received the 2008 Crain’s Best Places to Work in NYC Award and CARF Accreditation in 2009 .

Like any for-profit or non-profit corporation, SUS must take advantage of social, business, and technological trends if it’s to own its future. We are building service and management capabilities by drawing from the increased numbers of younger workers motivated by social causes. Greater visibility of SUS people and methodologies are being achieved via distribution through social-media channels. The tide of interest in community service shown in the last presidential election has resulted in a pool of volunteers whose commitment of time means greater inclusion into society for marginalized individuals served by SUS. Because more people and corporations are embracing the double bottom-line of making money and doing good, SUS is finding increased receptivity and support for social ventures and co-branded partnerships.
The people I work with as well as our response to present marketplace trends give me confidence in SUS’ sustainability and growth. As we enter the holiday season, please join me in identifying who stands alongside you and recognize them with thanks. And, please share in response to this blog-post, the trends/opportunities you see for resetting the quality of life for individuals in need and for the society we share in common. You will have my thanks and that of other readers, in return.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a Brighter Future,

Donna

Fred

Fred is a part of the SUS Knickerbocker Transitional Housing Program - the principal SUS program dedicated to veterans. Located in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Knickerbocker provides housing and supportive services to forty-eight male veterans, living with a range of serious mental illnesses and chemical addictions. He is featured in our ongoing look at “The SUS List” – An ongoing documentary series featuring stories of recovery from SUS consumers in their own words.

An Interview With Dan Lohaus, Director Of “When I Came Home”

SUS provides a full spectrum of support and treatment services to nearly 150 veterans each day, age 25 to 75, spanning all branches of military service, Korean War through Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since its opening in April, 1995, SUS’ Knickerbocker Transitional Housing Program  has served as the principal agency program dedicated to veterans. Located in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, Knickerbocker provides housing and supportive services to forty-eight male veterans, living with a range of serious mental illnesses and chemical addictions.
We asked Dan Lohaus, director of “When I Came Home”, to participate in a Q and A with The Signal.  “When I Came Home” is an award winning documentary film about homeless veterans in America: from those who served in Vietnam to those returning from the war in Iraq. The story is largely told through the eyes of Herold Noel, an Iraq War veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and living in his car in Brooklyn, New York.  SUS will be screening this critically acclaimed film at HBO on Veteran’s Day 2009.

Q.  How did you get started on making this documentary?
I was working in the non-profit world and started two organizations that employ homeless individuals and I met a lot of homeless Vietnam Veterans along the way. When I started doing research about homeless Vietnam veterans, I was really blown away by some of the statistics I was reading.  I remember one statistic in particular that really struck me: that while over 58,000 U.S. combat troops were killed in battle in Vietnam, at least that many Vietnam veterans ended their own lives prematurely after coming home. It just really angered me that these soldiers returned home to a country that swept them under the rug and tried to forget them. I felt like for the ones who had survived and were living on the streets (nearly 150,000) – I just wanted to tell their story and try to help them. So I really set off to make a film about homeless Vietnam Veterans and it ended up being about more about history repeating itself and about how veterans have to fight “another war” once they return home.

Q.  Had you previously worked at all with Veterans or were you in anyway connected to them?
I have an uncle that was in Vietnam and came home really affected. We weren’t really allowed to ask him about the war and I think that always stuck with me as a kid. And, as I mentioned, working on non-profits that employed the homeless, I ended up meeting a lot of homeless Vietnam veterans.

Q.  ”When I Came Home” leaves us wondering how a Veteran can pull their life together once they come home from service.  Is the key a system of supports?
Absolutely. From my experience, it seems like veterans who have isolated themselves when they get home really have a hard time healing and re-integrating back into society.  Those who look for help and find other veterans to talk with have to most success. It’s so important for veterans to realize that they are not alone in this and that there are a lot of veterans who have been through the same things and are there to help.

Q.  Was there a particular experience or interaction during the making of this film that stood out for you?

Yes. The San Diego “Stand Down” was the first thing I filmed way back in July of 2002. It was an amazing event where over 1,000 homeless veterans came off the street and formed a community for three days. It was incredible to see so many of those vets change over those three days – they were not only getting new clothes and hot food but they were also being inspired by formerly homeless vets. As the weekend progressed… nearly four hundred vets at that Stand Down decided that they would try to get help and get off the street. They put their names on lists for different supportive housing programs. I remember thinking, “This is incredible, I’m about to see four hundred homeless vets get off the street”. Then I found out that there were only 7 available beds at different programs. So there would be seven veterans that would get a chance to get off the streets, but the other 393 who wanted to get help, would have to go back out on the streets. I was so frustrated and sad about the whole thing that I just broke down and cried. But it also really made me angry and made me want to make this film.

Q. What most surprised you about what you learned while making this film?
When I first went out filming with an outreach team in Los Angeles, I remember the team approaching a homeless Vietnam vet in a park and offering that vet a bed at their supportive housing community. The vet had been on the streets for over 20 years and didn’t want the help. I guess it opened up my eyes a little – At first, I couldn’t understand why that vet wouldn’t want to get in the van with us and go but I think I understand it better now.
Q.  Are there thoughts for a follow up to “When I Came Home” as we start to see veterans coming home Iraq? What I’m working on now is a film about PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and in particular, the 10-year battle that Vietnam vets fought to have PTSD recognized. I’m in pre-production right now and am looking for funding.

Yoga – Another Path to Recovery and Independence

We asked Jenna Ritter, founder and executive director of Dhara, to participate in a Q and A with The Signal.  Dhara is an emerging nonprofit that offers wellness practices to the public sector by introducing alternative self-healing techniques to populations that frequently are not provided such opportunities.  SUS consumers at the Dewitt, Marcy Hart and Montrose residences were participants in the  “Six Weeks to Wellness” a six-week workshop (including movement, balance and breathing) developed for people living with a mental illness who are ready to take on more responsibility for their healing.  The program is currently offered at the SUS Clubhouse in Brooklyn.

Q. What was the difference for you in working with this community and other less challenged communities?

The gratitude and respect given from the participants at SUS is remarkable.  Each one is enthusiastic to learn the practices and integrate them into their lives to the best of their ability.  In my experience, less challenged communities seem to take the knowledge shared for granted.

Q. Can you tell us how you were introduced to SUS?

Jody Silver, the Director of Consumer Affairs for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene made the introduction.

Q. Please share more about the yoga program introduced at SUS?  How is it different?

When people think of “yoga” they usually think “exercise”.  While this program teaches gentle stretches to loosen and strengthen the body, the yoga taught here also incorporates a lot of breathwork and reflection on attitudes and behaviors.  Discussions about nutrition and stress as well as ways to bring healthy living skills into daily life are also integrated into sessions.  So, we teach yoga as a lifestyle where participants learn that they can make choices all the time.  In this way the work is about self-empowerment as well as self-healing. What’s more, because yoga is also understood to be about building community with others, sessions break participants out of their isolation and inspire them towards service.

Q. Had you previously worked with individuals suffering from mental illness?

Yes.  Dhara and NAMI-NYC Metro collaborated in Fall 2007 to develop a program called “Six Weeks to Wellness”, a workshop specifically designed for individuals living with mental illness.  This program continues to run through NAMI-NYC Metro with great success.

Q. What were some of the visible measures of success from the program with SUS?

Participants shared that they were feeling better, that headaches and body aches lessened and that they were sleeping and eating better.  The greatest sign of success is when they expressed that they wanted to continue having the program available to them.

Q. Is Yoga still part of the SUS programs?

Yes. Due to popular demand weekly classes continue to run at The Clubhouse under Nechemiah, a teacher who has been covering the classes since January.  Participants look forward to these sessions and classes are at full capacity most of the time, with up to 25 or 30 students in each session.

Q. Can you share a favorite moment or Aha! experience?

Every session offers something precious.  As sessions progress participants become a little more trusting and open, which allows for a safe circle for deeper sharing to happen.  I remember one woman who was working on her anger.  She shared with the group that over that weekend instead of getting into a fight with her boyfriend (as she always did) she chose instead to sit on her yoga mat and breathe.  When asked what her boyfriend did when she did that she said he laughed and tried to make her listen to him.  But she wouldn’t.  She said she just kept on breathing.  Eventually he left and she said she had a really great night!

I think a constant Aha! experience for everyone is when, after doing some deep breathing and relaxation after some gentle movement, after everyone slowly opens their eyes and returns to the room, the look of relaxation and peace on everyone’s face.  Wow! Breathing really does work to bring relaxation, centeredness and peace of mind!  And it’s so easy: our breath is free and available to each one of us in every moment.  We just have to learn how to use it correctly.

Janet

Janet is living with AIDS and has found the support she needs at SUS. Please watch to learn more about her story and how SUS helps those living with HIV/AIDS.

William Cox

William Cox, Jr. is featured in our ongoing look at “The SUS List” – a documentary short featuring stories of recovery from SUS consumers in their own words. In these times, SUS recognizes the need to use all tools at their disposal, particularly technology, to share its work in a more public manner and sound the call to action for service to vulnerable New Yorkers working to achieve independent lives.

Recognition of Direct Support Professionals – Are We Doing Enough?

As designated by the U.S. Senate, the week of September 14th marked the National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week. The week was set aside to heighten national awareness of the important role DSPs play in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Many agencies, including SUS, celebrated this week by praising their DSPs through recognition and awards.

Private agencies weren’t alone is the celebration. Councils such as the Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities Committee (QCDD)  on Aging, presented awards for outstanding DSPs at their annual conference on September 22nd. I was honored with the privilege of presenting 12 awards to the DSPs chosen by their agencies and had the opportunity to say thank you to these everyday heroes who act as a friend, teacher, and family for the people we serve. But as I stood in front of the room of 171 people with 12 awards in my hand, I couldn’t help to wonder, are we doing enough to demonstrate high regard for their role and value to individuals and their families?

For many years agencies such as SUS, and provider associations have joined together to enhance the status of Direct Support Professionals. The College for Direct Support Professionals , an internet-based college for DSPs, provides a tuition-free opportunity to receive college credit for courses related to disability issues. The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP),  developed a national credentialing program for DSPs. Each fall, the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA) hosts a state-wide Direct Support Professional Conferences recognizing our DSPs.

Yet, the question remains, are we doing enough to support and recognize the DSPs we rely upon to ensure the health, welfare and safety of people with developmental disabilities? And if not, what else can we do?

Anne Marie Russo
Director, Developmental Disabilities Services

SUS Weighs In on the Health Care Debate

Posted by Judith Jackson, Chief of Staff

Our government’s efforts to overhaul the health care system has given rise to a health care debate in town halls, lunch rooms, Sunday morning talk shows and living rooms across the nation.  Health care reform in its most non-political form is advocacy for the best possible health care services for each and every citizen.  The government proposes reform that will ensure that Americans get the high-quality, affordable care they need and deserve, starting with an investment in critical prevention and wellness initiatives that help keep Americans healthy; not unlike SUS’ own commitment to health and wellness for the persons we serve.

High quality, affordable services are also the focus of CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an accrediting body with a rigorous set of internationally recognized administrative and program standards which attest to the quality of services provided by an organization.

SUS recently elected to have our Employment Program, Clubhouse and Day Habilitation Programs surveyed by CARF against these standards of excellence.  After 3 days of review of our service delivery systems, documentation practices, physical plant, and interviews with staff, participants and board members, CARF concluded that we had demonstrated exemplary conformance to the CARF standards and awarded us 3-year accreditation.  We believe this achievement is an indication of our organization’s dedication to improving the quality of life of persons served, and thereby improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

This self-imposed review by an external body reflects the values that SUS and the health care reformist have in common:  continuous quality improvement, self-determination and a commitment to a high quality person-centered environment.

What if there were a ’CARF’ for a national Health Care system? Imagine an independent, bi-partisan body that determines accreditation and, once accredited, the health care entity would be viewed by insurers, payers and government regulators as setting the standard for health care excellence. If this were the case, would there really be anything to debate?