Transitional Employment
- 22. The clubhouse offers its own Transitional Employment program, which provides as a right of membership opportunities for members to work on job placements in business and industry. As a defining characteristic of a clubhouse Transitional Employment program, the clubhouse guarantees coverage on all placements during member absences. In addition the Transitional Employment program meets the following basic criteria.
A. The desire to work is the single most important factor determining placement opportunity.
B. Placement opportunities will continue to be available regardless of success or failure in previous placements.
C. Members work at the employers place of business.
D. Members are paid the prevailing wage rate, but at least minimum wage, directly by the employer.
E. Transitional Employment placements are drawn from a wide variety of job opportunities.
F. Transitional Employment placements part-time and time-limited, generally 15 to 20 hours per week and from 6 to 9 months in duration.
G. Selection and training of members on Transitional Employment is the responsibility of the clubhouse, not the employer.
H. Clubhouse members and staff prepare for all appropriate agencies dealing with members' benefits.
I. Transitional Employment placements are managed by clubhouse staff and members and not by TE specialist.
J. There are no TE placements within the clubhouse. Transitional Employment placements at an auspice agency must be off site from the clubhouse and meet all of the above criteria.
Supported and Independent Employment
- 23. The clubhouse assists and supports members to secure, sustain and subsequently, to better their employment.
24. Members who are working independently continue to have available all clubhouse supports and opportunities including advocacy for entitlements, clinical, legal, financial and personal issues, as well as participation in evening weekend programs.
Functions of the House
- 25. The clubhouse is located in an area where access to local transportation can be assured, both in terms of getting to and from the program accessing TE opportunities. The clubhouse provides or arranges for effective alternatives whenever access to public transportation is limited.
26. Community support services are provided by members and staff of the clubhouse. Community support activities are centered in the work unit structure of the clubhouse. They include helping with entitlements, housing and advocacy, as well as assistance in finding quality medical, psychological, pharmacological and substance abuse services in the community.
27. The clubhouse is committed to securing a range of choices of safe, decent and affordable housing for all members. The clubhouse has access to housing opportunities that meet these criteria, or if unavailable, the clubhouse develops its own housing program. Clubhouse housing programs meet the following basic criteria.
A. Members and staff manage the program together.
B. Members who live there do so by choice.
C. Members choose the location of their housing and their roommates.
D. Policies and procedures are developed in a manner congruent with the rest of the clubhouse.
E. The level of support increases or decreases in response to the changing of needs of the member.
F. Members and staff actively reach out to help members keep their housing, especially during periods of hospitalization.
28. The clubhouse assists members to further their vocational and educational goals by helping them take advantage of adult education opportunities in the community. In addition, clubhouses provide in-house educational programs that significantly utilize the teaching and tutoring skills of members.
29. The clubhouse has a method and takes responsibility for objectively evaluating its effectiveness.
30. The clubhouse director, members, staff and other appropriate persons participate in a three-week training program in the Clubhouse Model at a certified training base.
31. The clubhouse has recreational and social programs during evenings and weekends. Holidays are celebrated on the actual day they are observed.
Funding, Governance and Administration
- 32. The clubhouse has an independent board of directors, or if it is affiliated with a sponsor agency, has a separate advisory board comprised of individuals uniquely positioned to provide fiscal, legal, legislative, consumer and community support and advocacy for the clubhouse.
33. The clubhouse develops and maintains its own budget, approved by the board or advisory board prior to the beginning of the fiscal year and monitored routinely during the fiscal year.
34. Staff salaries are competitive and comparable positions in the mental health field.
35. The clubhouse has the support of appropriate mental health authorities and has all required licenses and certifications. The clubhouse seeks and maintains effective relationships with family, consumer and professional organizations.
36. The clubhouse holds open forums and has procedures which enable members and staff to actively participate in decision making, generally by consensus, regarding governance, policy making, and the future direction and development of the clubhouse.