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Community
Accommodation Network
Responsibility,
Independence, Individual Peer Support (RIIPS)
Family Issues Team
Mission
Statement
Through its Community Accommodation Network (CAN), the Richmond Fellowship
of the ACT Inc. is committed to providing accommodation and support options
to mental health consumers living in the community.
Our work is guided by the belief that the choices of people should not be
defined by their mental illness and that everyone should have the
opportunity to choose their place in society.
CAN promotes the rights of
consumers to:
* self-determination,
* choice in accommodation, and
* flexible services which recognise cultural and individual diversity.
CAN aims to:
* make ongoing improvements to its services,
* attain positive outcomes in consumers health and well-being, and
* enhance consumers quality of life.
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Community
Accommodation Network (CAN) The CAN program provides a
range of accommodation and support options to people with mental illness
who wish to live in the community.
Accommodation is available in a number of group homes. Residents are
expected to participate in activities which aim to prepare them for
independent living.
The manner of support is negotiated with each client with emphasis on
people's strength. Our approach is solution-focused.
Support is also available to people who live in their own accommodation but
need some assistance to maintain or improve their place in the community.
Services are based on psychosocial rehabilitation principles. Richmond
Fellowship staff can provide regular contact through visits to the clients'
homes. Support staff are available during business hours, with phone
contact available for emergencies.
Selection Criteria
Richmond Fellowship group homes are for people who are affected by a
mental illness and are:
* interested in improving their independent living skills
* in need of a supportive environment which encourages participation in
home and community activities (this is not an accommodation-only program)
* able to live cooperatively with others
* not actively psychotic in a manner disturbing to co-residents
* willing to accept clinical management from Mental Health Services
* able to manage their own medication
* over 18 years of age
* eligible for public housing (applicants are encouraged to register with
public housing to ensure that future accommodation needs are met).
Individual support
(in people’s own accommodation) is for people who are affected by a
mental illness and are:
* willing to accept some level of support which is negotiated between the
Richmond Fellowship and the consumer
* in need of support to participate in community life
* over 18 years of age.
Applications/Referrals to this
program can be made by completing an Application
or Referral to the Community
Accommodation Network (CAN) form.
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Responsibility,
Independence, Individual Peer Support (RIIPS) - Pilot
Program Accommodation is provided in a group house setting for young people
between 18 and 25 years of age with mental health and substance abuse
issues who wish to live away from home.
Selection criteria:
Aged
between 18 and 25 years
Clients of Mental Health Services
Dependent on family
Interested in becoming independent; and
Have a family which wants to participate in the program by supporting the
aim for independence.
For more information or to apply
for this program please contact the service on the number available on the Contacts page
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Family
Issues Team (FIT)The Family Issues Team consists of staff
from the CAN program who have the skills and experience to work with
families of people who have a mental illness. We see individuals, couples
and families who wish to reduce the influence of mental illness in their
lives. Our service is flexible to include either the whole family or only
those whose lives have been affected by the mental illness of a family
member.
Our focus is on assisting people to assume responsibility for them selves
and to take control of their lives in a way which enhances their
independence and promotes positive relationships. We prefer to deal with
current concerns and tend to be solution rather than problem oriented.
Referrals are accepted from families who are clients of ACT Mental Health
Services, those who have a family member in the CAN program, or anyone who
has a family member with a mental illness.
Appointments for this service can be made by completing a FIT Referral Form
Contacts
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Adult Programs