Over the last two years, New Passages has been developing its Liaison Program.  We have implemented the program in all of our specialized residential programs. The goal is to increase community inclusion by reconnecting consumers with their family and friends.  Each consumer is assigned a liaison staff member whose job it is to communicate with the consumer's family and friends on an ongoing basis, ultimately strengthening the bond between consumers and their natural supports.

From the very beginning, I have recognized how important it is to assist consumers in developing natural supports.  Building upon my interest in psychosocial rehabilitation, I have tried to promote the idea of community inclusion.  I recognized early on, that adults with severe mental illness often have difficulties in this area.  Due to multiple hospitalizations, separation from their loved ones, and the stigma people with serious mental illness face from the broader society, they become estranged from their family and community.  The goal of the Liaison Program is to help bridge this gap.

To that end, New Passages’ Fund Development Department recently submitted a grant application to the Gannett Foundation in Lansing to expand the Liaison Program.  The grant, if awarded, will provide the Liaison Program with the necessary resources to expand its objectives. 

The Liaison “Project” promotes a “Recovery” best practice model in specialized community housing programs.  The recovery model emphasizes the promotion of recovery outside of the traditional mental health care system by linking, coordinating, and facilitating family and community relationships.  Many community volunteer and business relationships have already been developed.  Support from the community will build upon these existing relationships.  The grant, if approved, will help us foster these relationships, build partnerships and extend social and support networks that promote human dignity and community inclusion. 

As always, I welcome your comments.