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ACROSS THE BOARD
Independence
Center
By
Liese Hutchison
Living
with dignity is something Independence Center feels everyone
has a right to do, even those with serious and persistent mental
illnesses. “We offer services for people who are struggling
through no fault of their own,” notes Bob Harvey, executive
director. The center offers services specifically designed for
people with major depressions, schizophrenias and bipolar disorders.
Independence
Center’s services are comprehensive. The Clubhouse Program is
recognized nationally for its innovation. The Clubhouse model
of psychiatric rehabilitation changes the roles of persons served
and the staff. Clubhouse members participate in all aspects
of the program, often performing tasks that the staff perform
in more traditional agencies. Clubhouse membership is extended
indefinitely and provides a place where, on a daily basis, one
is needed, wanted and expected. This program is located in two
facilities—the Midland Center in St. Louis County and the West
Pine House in the Central West End.
“Independence Center started out as a clubhouse program in psychiatric
rehabilitation, but we have expanded our services to help individuals
obtain and maintain independent employment; obtain and maintain
housing and benefit from high-quality clinical services. We
also offer case management services, and holiday, evening and
weekend services,” Harvey states.
Above
Picture:
Standing,
left to right: Charles D. Van Dyke (president), W.M.
Donovan Hiemenz, Sr., Stanford Carp, Dr. Peter Kieffer,
Beverly Tucker, Dr. Mark Steinberg Weil, Kent Higginbotham
(vice president), Thomas Kahn (treasurer), Warren Goodenough,
Steven Adelman.
Sitting, left to right: Bette Leventhal, Leigh Pratter,
Brenda Jones, Susan Hecker, Elizabeth Wood, Richard
Kalina (secretary), Linda Monday, Barbara Mange, June
Siegerist. |
Another program offered is colleague training. The Independence
Center is one of only five certified training sites in the clubhouse
model of psychiatric rehabilitation in the United States. More
than 560 colleagues have participated since the program began
15 years ago. In addition, the center offers GED training, resume
preparation, job placement and job retention services through
its EDGE Employment Services program. Housing and residential
programs are also available to members.
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Fast
Facts
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- Established
in 1981 in a rented storefront in the Central West
End and served approximately 100 people in its first
year
- Now
has 13 centers across the metropolitan area and serves
1,300 people annually
- Its
employment program has provided work experience to
245 people since its inception
- Is
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities, the International Center for Clubhouse
Development and the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations (through Barnes-Jewish
Hospital affiliation)
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“We offer comprehensive services,” Harvey points out. “Through
medication and rehabilitation, our members can function and
live full lives.” Through Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Independence
Center is able to provide partial hospital services. The Barnes-Jewish
Partial Hospital Program at Independence Center offers a day
program that helps individuals who are struggling with the symptoms
of their illness and are at risk of needing inpatient care.
This is accomplished through medication management, group therapy,
individual therapy, medical evaluation and expressive therapy
such as art, music and yoga classes.
In order to support its meteoric growth over the last 19 years,
Independence Center relies on its board for guidance and financial
support. “We have a $5 million budget,” says Charles D. Van
Dyke, president of the board, “but last year we provided $400,000
in services that weren’t funded, because we didn’t want to turn
people away.” So one of the board’s major goals this year is
to determine how the Independence Center should increase its
public and private sector funding. Its single largest source
of funding, the Department of Mental Health, has reached its
peak of commitment.
Another major initiative, Van Dyke states, is to measure the
effectiveness of the programs offered. “How do we know that
we’re doing a good job?” he asks. Outcomes assessment is an
important part of the center’s mission.
An additional goal is networking the 13 facilities operated
by the center. “Here at work we have the latest technology,
and we need to offer that level of sophistication to our staff
and members,” points out Van Dyke, president of Western Textile
Companies.
Harvey says that Independence Center members are like an extended
family. “The most gratifying part of my job is to see the impact
we have on peoples’ lives. The thing that really gets me smiling
is when I see members who come back to visit us after getting
a full-time job or graduating,” Harvey remarks.
Liese L. Hutchison is an assistant professor in the department
of communication at Saint Louis University and a free-lance
writer.
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