Adult Education Program Receives Grants

PRS is pleased to announce that three grants have been received in the past month to support PRS’ Adult Education Program.  We have been advised that PRS has been chosen to receive funding from the McLean Citizens Foundation, the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Coalition for Northern Virginians with Mental Disabilities.  These generous donations will provide a teacher from the Fairfax County Public Schools who specializes in Adult and Disability Education for both of our Day Program sites.  Teaching people with serious mental illness requires a specialized and individualized approach  and many PRS clients are unable to access traditional educational services.  Participation in PRS’ Adult Education classes helps our clients resume their interrupted education and can lead to attaining a GED.  It also allows for cognitive rehabilitation. 

PRS extends heartfelt thanks to these generous donors!

Direct Service Professionals Honored

On July 13, 2009, and on behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Chairman Sharon Bulova signed a proclamation designating September 2009 as Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Month. At a ceremony on September 9^th, Fairfax Supervisor Jeff McKay presented a plaque honoring PRS’ direct support professionals (DSPs) which include Community Support Specialists, Rehabilitation Services Coordinators and Employment Specialists. The ceremony was held at the Bath Street House, a residence for women in recovery from serious mental illness.  Bath Street House is a collaborative project, with Robert Pierre Johnson (RPJ) overseeing property management and PRS, Inc. providing mental health support services for residents. 

PRS Community Support Specialists help clients improve their independent-living and interpersonal skills, and provide support services to help residents effectively manage their mental illnesses. PRS Rehabilitation Services Coordinators work with clients in the early stages of recovery to help them identify personal goals, recognize individual strengths, needs and potential, and develop skills needed to improve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS Employment Specialists work with clients ready to seek employment to help them ‘choose, get and keep’ community-based jobs. All services provided by PRS’ direct support professionals are designed to promote recovery and to assist persons served in achieving successful community integration.

Supported Employment Research

Very interesting article in the August 2009 issue of Psychiatric Services entitled ”The Long-Term Impact of Employment on Mental Health Service Use and Costs for Persons With Severe Mental Illness.”  The conclusion notes that ”significant reductions in service use were associated with steady employment” and suggests that cost savings in mental health services would justify broader implementation of supported employment services.

See abstract at http://bit.ly/nJnRj

Ribbon-cutting Ceremony a Great Success

The ribbon is cut!

Over 150 people attended the Ribbon-cutting Ceremony for PRS Tysons on Thursday, August 6th on Old Meadow Road in McLean.  PRS (formerly Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services) is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization that has been providing skills training and rehabilitation services to Northern Virginia residents in recovery from serious mental illness since 1963.  PRS Tysons is the new site housing two prior Day Programs:  PRS Reston and PRS Falls Church.  Services offered at PRS Tysons include Psychosocial Rehabilitation Day Programming, Employment Services and individualized Mental Health Support Services provided in community locations.

Fairfax County Supervisors Linda Smyth (Providence District) and John Foust (Dranesville District), VA Delegate Ken Plum (36^th District) and PRS Chairman of the Board Richard Brewster helped PRS President and CEO Wendy Gradison cut the ribbon officially opening PRS Tysons.  PRS staff and clients were joined by friends and supporters who wanted to see, first hand, the terrific new programs that emanate from PRS Tysons.  Guests heard personal stories from two clients, one receiving services from the Day Program and the other from Employment and Mental Health Support Services.  Lunch and facility tours were provided by the Day Program clients, and slide shows and videos about PRS’ services and supports were running in various rooms for guests to watch.

PRS’ New Autism Project

PRS has been awarded a grant from the VA Department of Rehabilitative Services to provide Supported Employment Services to young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Loudoun County.   In his recent press release, Governor Kaine announced the distribution of $500,000 to 12 organizations (of which PRS was one) with projects designed to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities.

PRS staff will provide a highly specialized community-based work adjustment training program, followed by job development and place and train services for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  PRS’ “Choose-Get-Keep” method of supported employment has been provided to PRS clients with great success in past years.  Staff work with clients ready to enter the workforce, helping them choose, get and keep jobs, often providing support at the work site.

The Recovery Tree

As you walk into the Lounge at PRS Mt. Vernon, you can’t help but focus on the enormous Recovery Tree painted on the wall: it measures approximately 23 feet long and 10 feet high. But though the size will catch your eye, the details will mesmerize you. The tree contains apples, pears, and flowers. Every client has added into either a pear or apple his or her own definition of ‘recovery.’  The staff added their own recovery statements to the floers growing from the base of the tree. Here’s what recovery from mental illness means to just a few of our clients:

-Recovery is turning mountains into hills.

-Recovery is never giving up. 

-Recovery, where anything can happen.

-Recovery is life taking on new meaning.

-Recovery is improving myself in life and staying healthy. Y ou can shine no matter what you area made of.

-Recovery is the part of life that leads to better things.                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome

Hello Everyone!

Thank you all for stopping by the new PRS, Inc. blog on WordPress. At the moment we are just getting our feet wet in the sea of internet media and we are very pleased that you all have joined us. As we get this blog up and going please excuse our “mess.” Also, look out for us on other sites (listed under links) as you explore the web. We will be posting a variety of things on our blog including client stories, ways you can help, and exciting events you are welcome to attend. Thanks again for coming in to see us!

Best,
the folks at PRS, Inc.