Asset Development Programs for People in Mental Health Recovery

Judith A. Cook, PhD

Professor & Director

University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry

Presented at the 5th Annual Mayor’s Leadership Academy

Building Inclusive Communities of Practice

November 3, 2010

Chicago, IL

A Word of Thanks to our Funders

• U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services

People in mental health recovery need to be on the road to economic security

Documented Challenges for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

High rates of…• Poverty• High unemployment• High mortality & morbidity• Homelessness• Incarceration• Criminal victimization• Trauma• Social isolation (Cook & Jonikas, 2005)

Asset Accumulation has Documented Psychological

Benefits

• enhanced personal efficacy

• greater personal control

• feelings of empowerment

• future orientation

Assets as Important as Income to Enhancing Quality of Life

• Panel Study of Income Dynamics (Yadama and Sherraden, 1996) used simultaneous equation modeling

• Found that assets had a positive effect on • expectations and confidence about the future• making specific plans with regard to work and family• more prudent and protective personal behaviors• more social connectedness with relatives, neighbors

and organizations• Effects of assets in this analysis were found to be

equal to those of income in their association with positive outcomes

IDA Programs – Savers with Psychiatric Disabilities

http://www.cmhsrp.uic.edu/download/NRTC4.IDA%20Project%20Report.10.25.10.pdf

New Hampshire• Two programs: Dollars & Sense Credit Union

Demonstration Project; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance & Financial Education Study

• State universities coordinated the programs as part of research studies: U of NH; Southern NH University

• 4 savers with psychiatric disabilities in each program

• 3:1 match (Dollars & Sense), 4:1 match (VITA)• New Hampshire Community Loan Fund

provided the match• Banks: Northeast Credit Union (Dollars &

Sense), Citizens Bank (VITA)• 1 saver matched (Dollars & Sense) for a micro-

enterprise, 2 matched (VITA) for post-secondary education & a micro-enterprise

New Jersey • Collaborative Support Programs of New

Jersey• Based at a peer-run self-help center• 41 savers in MH recovery• 4:1 match for advanced education & micro-

enterprise development; 2½:1 for home ownership

• Local match from state MH authority & Wachovia Bank

• Commerce Bank held IDA accounts• Outcomes: 19 savers matched, 3 homes, 9

degrees, & 7 micro-enterprises

Louisiana

• Mental Health America of LA IDA Program• Based at a national mental health advocacy

organization’s state affiliate• 10 savers• 2:1 match• Local match from State Office of Mental Health• Chase Bank• 9 savers matched, 1 micro-enterprise, 9 home

repair purchases

Alaska

• Cook Tribal Inlet Council IDAProgram

• Based at a social service agency for Alaska natives (in their Employment & Training Services Department)

• 246 participants (savers with MH/SA disabilities & their family members)

• 5:1 match• Local match from the Alaska Mental Health Trust

Authority• Wells Fargo Bank• 107 savers matched, 53 home purchases, 44 post-

secondary education, 10 micro-enterprises

Illinois

• UIC/Thresholds IDA Program• Run by a state university research center

& based at a community mental health center’s supported employment program• 5 savers• 2:1 match• Local match from the Rebecca Susan Buffett

Foundation• Charter One Bank of Chicago• 3 savers matched, 1 micro-enterprise, 2 post-

secondary education

California

• CA Individual Self-Sufficiency Planning Project

• Not IDAs but Independence Accounts through the SSA waiver program – people could save up to $8,000/year without penalty

• 8 savers with psychiatric disabilities who were SSI beneficiaries

• No match• Local banks held accounts• Matching not possible, savers purchased post-

secondary education, moving expenses, transportation, vacations

Summary of Lessons Learned by Programs

• Savers in MH recovery can save & match successfully

• Many savers need ongoing social & emotional support, with peer support essential

• Need for employment services to deal with job loss & work issues

• Lack of affordable housing stock was a barrier

• Multiple life issues impacted savers’ ability to match

• SSA disability benefits issues remained problematic

• Multiple collaborative relationships require administrative time & funding

Outreaching the Mental Health Recovery Community: Collaborating Partners

• Community Mental Health Centers,* especially those with Supported Employment Program

• Workforce Investment Act Employment Centers (One-Stop Centers)

• Local Advocacy Organizations – Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness

• Mental Health Peer-Run Programs and Support Groups

• State VR Agencies *http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator

Array of Services to Support Successful Saving

• Employment Support

• Ongoing Social & Emotional Support

• Clinical Services

• Financial Education

• Asset-Specific Education

• Benefits Planning & Assistance

Thank You!

UIC National Research & Training Center on Psychiatric Disability

http://www.cmhsrp.uic.edu/nrtc/default.asp