StrengthsBased Models of Recovery

1
Strengths-Based Models of Recovery

• Priscilla Ridgway PhD, Senior Program Associate
• Advocates for Human Potential
• Mental Health Transformation
• Innovations, Perspectives, and Partners for
  Action
• 5th Annual Training Institute for Olmstead
  Coordinators
• Sept. 26-28th, Washington, DC

2
What is the Strengths Approach?

• A way of approaching all work with mental health
  consumers
• An evidence-based case management approach
• An approach to supervision that focuses on
  consumer success and recovery outcomes
• An approach to consumer-centered program
  evaluation that is holistic
• And an approach to training consumers as
  providers
• And a self-help workbook

3
What are the Elements of a Strengths Approach to
Case Management?

• Assessment of consumer strengths, dreams and
  goals
• Consumerdriven personal plans across important
  life/recovery domains
• Low caseload service provision that emphasizes
  the importance of the helping relationship
• Emphasis on natural supports and naturally
  occurring community resources (social
  integration)
• Moving beyond the formal system and the consumer
  role into normal social environments and roles.
  People reclaim positive sources of identity and a
  place in their community.

4
What does the approach do?

• The system aligns its resources to support the
  consumers dreams, goals, self-assessed needs
• Identifies important strengths in the person
  (e.g. positive qualities, talents, motivation)
• Relates to the healthy part of the person, their
  support network, the community, and the culture
• Breaks down the work into bite-sized action steps
  
• Specifies who will do what by when
• Enlists the person to be active on his or her own
  behalf
• Measures outcomes important to the person
• Forms a positive platform for other EBPs

5
What resources are available?

• Consultation and training to state and local
  systems
• Training of trainers
• Group supervision model and supervisors tools
  and training
• COMP (consumer outcomes monitoring program MIS
  with feedback to treatment teams)
• EBP toolkit (Winter, 2006)
• Pathways to Recovery A Strengths Self-Help
  Workbook
• For more information contact Charlie Rapp, PhD,
  University of Kansas, Department of Social
  Welfare, Office of Mental Health Research and
  Training (charlier_at_ku.edu) or visit the websites
  www.socwel.ku.edu/mentalhealth/ and
  pathways_at_ku.edu