McClendon Ctr

During the year of 2003, the McClendon Center Day Services/Socialization Services Programs, funded through the DC Department of Mental Health (DMH) and administered by the NYAPC under the auspices of the McClendon Center Steering Committee, again experienced many developments to meet the varied needs of program participants, adult DC residents diagnosed with mental illness ranging in age from 30 to 80 years old. Staff managed, in spite of prolonged severe DMH funding limitations enacted in 1999, to continue to offer quality services in the Center's clinically structured psychosocial, psychoeducational mental health rehabilitation program.

Center programs focused on promoting a self-empowerment philosophy with primary emphasis on personal responsibility and independence, accomplishment, friendship, and creativity. In fact, the private foundation funded, consumer-driven Best Health Project was initiated in 2003 with its orientation towards consumer education and empowerment. The therapeutic activities (group and individual) stressed goals of personal development and emotional integration. The programs continued with a variety of expressive therapies and other treatment modalities to enhance the achievement of mutually determined consumer objectives and goals. The purpose of this approach was to build consumer confidence, improve competence, and increase self-esteem while developing the maximum potential for self-expression.

Center activities included art therapy, music therapy, psychiatric consultation, community meeting, life skills, newsletter group, music appreciation, therapeutic Go group, health group, story telling, picnic lunch, current events group, artistic skills class, horticulture group, Tai-Chi exercises, nutrition weigh-in (for weight management), books and discussion, dietitian/nutrition group, movies, glee club, bingo, seasonal celebrations, and the Clothes Closet. Artists from the Arts for the Aging Program again provided expressive groups in dancing and poetry. New activities, such as Journey of the Drum, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Action for Personal Choice were added in 2003. In a special project began in 2002, the horticulture group continued to plan, prepare, plant and nurture a bulb garden that adjoins the church building, next to the park. In addition to therapeutic and recreational activities, counseling information and referral services were available to all participants at the Center. An art therapy graduate student intern from a local university was again field placed at the Center in 2003.

A major endeavor begun in 1998 was to become accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO). The effort was continued into 2003 after the Center was fully accredited for an initial three-year period effective March of 1999. In March of 2002, JCAHO conducted another accreditation survey, and the accreditation was renewed into 2005. This continues to be a great accomplishment by a small but highly professional Center staff, demonstrating an advanced level of caring, commitment, and competence in mental health service delivery. The DC Department of Mental Health also certified the Center as a Specialty Provider of Rehabilitation/Day Services effective August of 2002. Subsequently, the Center commenced operation as a Day Services Program provider in 2003. The Center plans to continue to meet established JCAHO standards throughout 2004 and maintain all DMH certification standards in order to continue to provide quality services in its positive and productive environment of care.

As in year 2002, the Center with the full support of the McClendon Center Steering Committee, aka, Board of Directors, submitted several foundation grant applications to offset the ongoing DMH budget cuts that unfortunately carried over to fiscal year 2003. These applications again proved successful, as several funding sources donated monies to the Center during the year, and allowed the Center to offer needed services and to maintain dedicated staff.

One major administrative transition occurred in 2003 when the NYAPC authorized the Center to pursue its own 501 (c) (3) non-profit, tax-exempt incorporation status. The legal process evolved quickly in 2003, and in early 2004, with all the legal transactions fulfilled, the Center will become a separate and distinct corporation with its own functioning Board of Directors.

The Center staff genuinely appreciated the goodwill and contributions of the NYAPC membership in 2003. The continued involvement of the Center Steering Committee/Board of Directors was tremendously beneficial in both administrative and clinical matters, especially in the complicated pursuit of incorporation status. Please continue to assist Center staff in providing a "home away from home" for our participants so that the McClendon Center can continue to enhance the lives of current and future mental health consumer participants. Thank you once again.