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Mental Health Support Services
 We provide mental health support services to individuals age 16 and over with a history of serious mental illness that impedes their ability to successfully function in the community. Individuals admitted to this service may be dually diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder such as intellectual disability or substance abuse. In order to receive services, an individual must meet a minimum of two of the following criteria:
- Difficulty establishing or maintaining normal interpersonal relationships to such a degree that person is at risk of hospitalization or homelessness.
- Require help with basic living skills such as hygiene, food preparation and
adequate nutrition or managing finances to such a degree health or safety is jeopardized.
- Exhibit such inappropriate behavior that repeated interventions by mental health, social services or the judicial system is necessary.
- Exhibit difficulty in cognitive ability such that they are unable to recognize
personal danger or significantly inappropriate social behavior.
All services shall be focused on individual needs and desires as determined by the assessment process. All individuals will participate in determining what they wish to receive from the program. Services may be provided in the home or the community. Services will include needed training and supports to assist individuals in reaching their goals and functioning successfully in the community. The primary focus is assisting individuals to participate in mental health treatment, including attending psychiatric, counseling, and case management appointments, identifying and addressing mental health symptoms, following caregiver recommendations, and adhering to a medication regimen. We assist individuals with independent living skills such as shopping, meal preparation, maintaining the condition of a residence, budgeting, pursuing appropriate medical care, and attending to personal hygiene. Building social skills is often a focus of treatment, including helping individuals learn to interact in a socially appropriate manner in a variety of situations.
Mentoring
 Mentors are caring responsible adults who provide youth with support, advice, reinforcement, encouragement and constructive example, focusing on the needs of the individual. Youth are introduced to activities available in the community and encouraged to challenge themselves while developing new skills. The mentor will advocate for supportive services as needed. Mentors assist in many different ways including supporting youth in the school system, providing positive outlets for youth to spend free time, encouraging participation in peer group activities to build social skills, and providing training and guidance in building independent living and career skills. It is a mentor’s role to listen openly and without judgment to youth facing daily struggles. A mentor assists the youth to develop to his or her fullest potential.
Psychosocial Day Program
HCS Psychosocial Day Program aims to provide quality psychosocial and day-to-day living programs that enhance quality of life, independence and assist participants in meeting self determined goals.
In order to participate in the Day Program, individuals must be at least 18 years old and meet the same criteria as outlined in the Mental Health Supports section.
Programming: Programming will vary from day to day and shall be driven by the needs and choices of the program participants. Structured program activities will be offered and may include but not be limited to:
- Psycho Educational groups such as nutrition, medication management and information, budgeting, coping skills, time management and anger management.
- Arts and crafts
- Recreational activities and skills, including leisure and fitness activities
- Assistance and/or instruction on accessing community resources
- Community and social outings
In addition, three specific skill enhancement units will be available. Participants will be encouraged to choose and regularly participate in activities provided by these units.
1. Kitchen and Food Preparation Unit: This unit will be responsible for food preparation and menu planning. While working in this unit, individuals will have the opportunity to plan healthy meals, budget and shop for items needed to prepare meals; learn to safely use kitchen equipment and safe food handling and storage guidelines.
2. Building and Grounds Unit: This unit will be responsible for assisting with cleaning the building and doing minor yard work. While working in this unit, individuals will have the opportunity to learn how to safely and effectively use cleaning supplies and utilities and be taught the importance of a clean and sanitary environment. Individuals working on this unit may also choose to assist in outside activities where they will be given the opportunity to learn to use rakes, clippers, shovels, hoes and other gardening tools. This unit may also participate in growing a vegetable garden as well as planting and maintaining a flowerbed.
3. Clerical Unit: This unit will be responsible for the preparing the monthly program calendar, menus and other correspondence relating to the operations of the program. While working on this unit, individuals will have the opportunity to improve their reading and writing skills, learn typing and basic computer skills, and generally work towards improving their overall communication skills and abilities.
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