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CLUBHOUSE FACILITY MAY BE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY'S FUTURE

Nov. 7, 2001

Residents of Washington County living with a chronic mental illness may soon have a new alternative to help them lead more productive lives. The Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery (MHAR) Board announces that it has completed the feasibility phase of a plan to introduce a clubhouse, an innovative mental health rehabilitation model, to Washington County. Results show strong support for bringing it to the area.

A clubhouse works as a transition to paid employment for members, preparing them with the necessary technical and vocational skills in a supportive environment. Members work side-by-side with staff in all daily operations of the house. Activities range from working in the kitchen preparing meals to taking on clerical duties.

Ron Rees, executive director of the Washington County MHAR Board says that opening a clubhouse in Washington County would change the perception of mental illnesses in the area. "A clubhouse reduces the stigma associated with a mental illness because it allows people in the community to see individuals at the clubhouse participating in the community and contributing to the [it]," said Rees.

For the last year, the Washington County MHAR Board worked to gauge and develop community support in the Marietta region for the clubhouse approach to mental health treatment. As part of phase one, mental health personnel, consumers and mental health agency representatives from Washington County toured clubhouses in Cleveland; Lebanon, Ohio; Greenville, S.C.; and New York. While on the tour, potential members had a chance to live the clubhouse philosophy as they took part in the daily activities and chores at the facility.

The Washington County MHAR Board selected the Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development (ILGARD) at Ohio University's Voinovich Center for Leadership & Public Affairs as the outside evaluator for the project. "ILGARD has an excellent understanding of human services, the ability to do exemplary work and recognition in the community as experts in their field," said Rees.

ILGARD's research revealed that potential clubhouse members and staffers and mental health officials have a strong interest in making a clubhouse in Washington County a reality. A majority of those ILGARD surveyed said that they would welcome a new and effective program for people with mental illnesses in their community.

The clubhouse model is certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD) in New York. Currently, Magnolia House in Cleveland and Corwin House in Lebanon are the only two ICCD certified clubhouses in Ohio.

The Washington County MHAR Board serves the 63,000 residents of Washington County by providing treatment and community support for substance abuse and mental health problems.