Compeer
Who are WE? Compeer matches caring, sensitive,
and trained volunteers in one–to-one friendships with children
and adults referred by mental health professionals. Compeer is
considered an adjunct to therapy and is based on the concept that
a volunteer’s friendship and support can offset the loneliness
and isolation that accompany mental illnesses. Volunteers visit
their Compeer friend for a minimum of four hours a month for a
year and share a variety of social, recreational, and educational
activities with their friends.
History: Compeer was established in 1973 in
Rochester, NY. In 1980 the NYS Office of Mental Health became
interested in replicating this innovative volunteer program and
sponsored two workshops for mental health professionals on “Compeer
– A Model Program.” Based on New York State’s
success, Compeer received a National Institute of Mental Health
grants, which provided funding to establish an international Compeer
office. The office of Compeer International provides consultation,
training, and support to affiliates as well as assisting in the
development of new affiliates.
Today: Compeer affiliates are sponsored by a
variety of mental health and volunteer non-profit agencies throughout
the nation. Today, there are 80 Compeer programs in 16 states
— Pennsylvania has the second largest Coalition which includes
14 Compeer affiliates throughout the state, Australia (11 programs),
and Canada (1 program). In 200, 3,471 volunteers provided 124,895
hours of advocacy and support to 4,432 children and adults diagnosed
with mental illnesses. Based on the estimated value of volunteer
time for 2006, of 18.77/hr (Independent Sector research; value
of volunteer time based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics), Compeer
volunteers’ time is valued at $2,428,030.80.
Cost Containment: Health care cost containment
continues to be an area of concern, particularly to the non-profit
sector. Compeer has provided a creative solution to deteriorating
support systems through the utilization of trained volunteers.
Psychiatric hospitalization cost can range as high as $200,000
annually. The cost of a Compeer friendship best practice is $1,500
per person or less. Cost per person averages between $375 - $1,100
depending upon area of the country. Compeer volunteer friendships
have been shown to save mental health dollars and favorably alter
utilization of other costly services.
Recognition: Compeer has been recognized as
a model mental health volunteer program and has been highlighted
in print and electronic media including CBS Morning News, NBC
Nightly News, Sally Jesse Raphael, Newsweek, Family
Circle, Psychology Today and recently in Self.
In addition, the program has received the Presidential Recognition
Award by the Department of Health and Human Service, the first
Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award, the Presidential Volunteer
Action Award, four Points of Light awards, and recognition from
the American Psychiatric Association.
How to Start a Compeer Program in Pennsylvania:
Mental health professionals, administrators, and community leaders
interested in beginning Compeer in their county should submit
a proposal to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services (OMHSAS) and Compeer Inc. Upon approval, OMHSAS will
help with start up fees and technical assistance. A Service Mark
Agreement is completed by Compeer Inc. Startup fees provide material
and forms on program procedures, recruitment, training, evaluation,
and staff development; technical assistance and on-site consultation;
and one registration at a Compeer Annual Conference. Written,
telephone, and on-site consultation, monthly newsletters, program
public relations, and media development are all part of the ongoing
support offered by Compeer International Office.
Further information is available from Compeer, Inc., 400 Andrews
St., Rochester, New York 14704, 800-836-0475 or www.compeer.org.
Pennsylvania Compeer Coalition
- Please visit the PA Compeer Coalition web site - www.pacompeercoalition.org.
- The mission of the Pennsylvania Compeer Coalition is to provide
support to affiliate programs whose volunteers foster mental
health recovery through friendship.
- The vision of the Pennsylvania Compeer Coalition strives to
provide access to Compeer services for people in mental health
recovery.
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Summer 2010
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Winter 2010
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Fall 2009
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Spring 2009
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Winter 2008
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Fall 2008
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Summer 2008
- The
Friendship Express: Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Compeer
Association, Spring 2008.
Local Compeer Links
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Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
The PA Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing,
or ODHH, provides advocacy, information, and referrals for Pennsylvanians
who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or deaf blind, and their families
and caregivers.
Online Community
HearingExchange is an online community for people with hearing loss and their family members. HearingExchange has been offering information, support, and advice since 2000. HearingExchange now also has two groups on Facebook, one of which is specifically for teens or young adults. Facebook is one of the largest online social networking groups. HearingExchange Teens on Facebook is moderated by Mel Paticoff, a college student studying to become a teacher of the deaf. HearingExchange Teens is an excellent way for teens and young adults to connect and socialize with others who completely "get" what it's like to have a hearing loss.
Mental
Health/Mental Retardation Positive Practices Resource Team
The Positive Practices Resource Team (PPRT) is a joint initiative
between the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
(OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) to assist
individuals with a dual diagnosis of MH/MR. The purpose of the
PPRT is to identify and develop system capacity and resources
that will be dedicated to addressing issues pertaining to a person’s
behavioral support needs. This initiative addresses those issues
that, in the past, often resulted in state hospital/center admissions
or incarceration. The PPRT assists providers in continuing to
serve those individuals who are experiencing difficulties and
enhancing the provider’s ability to provide comprehensive
services in the future.
PPRT members include the following: State Hospital and State Center
Staff, ODP and OMHSAS field office staff, pharmacists from the
State Hospitals and State Centers, a sexual consultant from ODP,
the Bureau of Autism Services, Health Care Quality Unit staff,
and advocacy groups.
If you would like to request assistance from PPRT, please contact
your local county
MH/MR office who is responsible for making referral.
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Older
Adult Efforts
Behavioral Health and Aging Resource Manual
The Resource Manual Workgroup of the Older Adult Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the Behavioral Health and Aging Resource Manual is now available. The manual is not meant to diagnose disorders or recommend treatment. The intent of this manual is to provide information regarding the common behavioral health issues of older adults. Please select the link to access the manual.
Older Adult Peer
Specialist Initiative
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Web Site
Long Term Living in PA Web Site
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OpenMinds/OpenDoors
- Anti Stigma/Anti Discrimination
OpenMindsOpenDoors
is a Pennsylvania initiative aimed at ending discrimination against
people with mental illnesses. Approximately one in five people
in this country live with a mental illness. People who have needs
just like everyone else, and demand basic rights just like everyone
else.
PA CARES
Task Force: Returning Military Personnel
P Pennsylvania
A Americans showing
C compassion
A assistance, and
R reaching out with
E empathy for
S service members
Background: As military personnel return home
to Pennsylvania from their duties in the US War on Terror (GWT)
and other duties, these individuals and their family members may
experience a variety of readjustment challenges. In response to
this, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Veterans
Affairs, have joined with various state and local agencies to
form a voluntary advisory and action task force to assist these
veterans and their families with a successful reintegration back
to their families and communities.
Vision: Returning veterans and their families
will have access to resources that address their needs to facilitate
a successful reintegration back to their family and community.
Mission: To network and work collaboratively
to develop initiatives to meet the needs of service members, veterans,
and their families.
Goals:
- The Task Force will meet monthly to network and work collaboratively
to develop initiatives to meet the needs of service members,
veterans, and their families. Initiatives can include pre-deployment,
deployment and post deployment strategies addressing community
supports, medical health care, substance abuse, employment,
education, mental health, and readjustment and reintegration.
- The Task Force will identify avenues to bring resources to
service members, veterans and their families.
- The Task Force will respond to requests for assistance.
- The Task Force will conduct evaluations of its initiatives
and use consumer feedback to improve its initiatives.
Links
PA Cares (www.pacares.org)
SAMHSA Resources for Returning Veterans and Families (www.samhsa.gov/vets)
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Supported
Education
Coming soon...
Spiritual
Supports Facilitation
Spiritual Supports Facilitation is a new initiative developed
by the Pennsylvania Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services to formally recognize the importance of Spiritual Supports
in the mental health recovery process. Spiritual Supports Facilitation
joins the broad-based recovery initiative by addressing issues
of spirituality in recovery and assisting consumers in connecting
with the spiritual supports of their choice. We do this by:
- Increasing awareness of the importance of spirituality. Spiritual
Supports Facilitation offers spirituality and recovery-based
education and presentations in treatment centers and in the
community. We present to consumers, providers, family, and community
supports in a variety of settings such as drop-in centers, churches,
conferences, tai chi centers, club houses, CSP groups, etc.
- Facilitating opportunities to dialog about spirituality in
treatment centers and in the community. Spiritual Supports Facilitators
attend many statewide conferences and events and frequently
facilitate workshops and presentations. Spiritual Supports Facilitators
complement and network with community-based spiritual supports
providers, local advocacy groups, peer support specialists,
local Community Support programs, and facility- based chaplaincy
to support consumers’ spiritual support choices in recovery.
- Developing resources to support spirituality perspectives.
Through discovering and sharing information and media we can
educate and support insights into the understanding of spirituality.
We share information in a variety of ways such as handouts and
Internet resources. We invite others to report and share whatever
spirituality resources they may know of or have available.
- Identifying the challenges and barriers to consumers receiving
desired spiritual supports services. Unfortunately, social stigma
continues to exist for mental health consumers in some spiritual
community settings. Many challenges exist, such as availability
of spiritual resources and supports in treatment settings and
disrespect or non-acceptance of various spiritual practices,
both traditional and non-traditional. It is important to address
these problems and enter into dialog and identify solutions
individuals may use to cope with and overcome the barriers.
For more information please contact the Spiritual Supports Facilitators:
Bob Manrodt
PO Box 300
State Route 422, Sportsman Road
Wernersville, PA 19565-0500
Phone: 610-678-3411, x362
Email: c-rmanrodt@state.pa.us
Rev. DeWayne White
DGS Annex Complex
PO Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Phone: 717-772-7625
Email: c-wwhite@state.pa.us
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Traumatic/Acquired
Brain Injury
The Brain Injury Recovery Task Force Report is now available. The report is the result of many hours of work by brain injury survivors, family members, brain injury providers, and advocates to produce recommendations to Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman. Secretary Richman is supportive of the recommendations that have been presented. Staff within the department is pursuing activities and initiatives that can streamline processes and make access to services easier.
Brain Injury Awareness
This year, 2011, could easily be deemed the year of brain injury awareness, as we are often reminded of the extent to which brain injuries can affect our loved ones and our lives. Recent stories of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the long road back to recovery of ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff after a bomb blast in Iraq, and the seemingly countless stories emerging of school age, college and professional athletes sustaining concussion related injuries have heightened interest in the topic of head injuries.
A few basics about brain injury:
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is any brain injury occurring after the birth process which can be caused by such conditions as; a) brain tumors, b)anoxia/hypoxia, c) infection of the brain, d) cerebral vascular accidents, e) or ingestion of toxic substances.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers to both open and closed head injuries. Open head injuries can include such things as bullet wounds, metal shrapnel (such as bomb blasts), or any number of blows, where the skull is fractured or penetrated causing injury to the brain. Closed head injuries include any jolt, shake and/or blow to the body/head that results in rapid movement of the brain back and forth, bumping the brain against the inside of the skull. This type of injury commonly includes concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a jolt, blow or bump to the head that can change the way your brain normally functions.
The Centers for Disease Control (C DC) estimates that more than seven million Americans are living with lifelong disabilities due to brain injury, both ABI and TBI. Approximately 300,000 Pennsylvanians have lifelong disabilities due to brain injuries and about 70,000 Pennsylvanians sustain a brain injury each year.
In addition, brain injuries are the leading killer and cause of disability in children. Each year, more than 4,000 children in Pennsylvania sustain a brain injury severe enough to require hospitalization. The highest rates of brain injury in children occur from Shaken Baby Syndrome and abuse, falls (especially ages 0- 4, motor vehicle accidents (ages 15-19), and sports and recreational activity injuries (ages 5-18).
Special concerns for children:
- Children with brain injuries may have long lasting social, emotional and cognitive effects. These may include depression, anger management issues, impulse control issues and difficulties with short and/or long term memory.
- Brain injury may place young people at risk for involvement in criminal activity and substance abuse.
- Even mild concussion injuries can have long lasting effects, especially on the young, developing brain.
- Some effects of brain injury may not surface until a later stage of development.
- “Getting one’s bell rung” is a common phrase heard often in sports, referring to a sudden jolt, bump, or blow that affects the head—or a mild concussion. The Brain Injury Association of America reports the five activities that account for most concussions in youth: bicycling, football, basketball, soccer and playground activities. In addition, cheerleading may be added to this list as the demands for more athleticism and acrobatics are increasing for this activity.
- Coaches, sports officials and parents must be vigilant for the early signs of head injuries because time is a critical factor in the treatment of these potentially devastating injuries.
Parents and caregivers can:
- Support legislation in Pennsylvania that protects children in all athletic activities and promotes prompt assessment and treatment of head injuries, preventing children from being pushed back into play until they are thoroughly recovered.
- Support existing programs such as the “Brainsteps School Re-entry Program” to assist children diagnosed with a brain injury to re-adjust to school life.
- Be assertive with all health professionals to demand specialized neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric care for your child when brain injury is suspected, to properly diagnose and appropriately treat your child’s specific neurological needs as quickly and as long as necessary.
More information/resources:
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