Clubhouse Advocacy

Module Seven: Clubhouse Advocacy

Overview

Clubhouse programs engage in several forms of advocacy. On one level, the Clubhouse advocates for the individual rights, freedoms, and legislated entitlements of people with mental illness. On another level, the Clubhouse community is often a strong voice for positive change and an active advocate at the state, local, and federal levels of government. This form of advocacy pursues legislative and policy changes that impact the interests and priorities of people with mental illness. Clubhouse programs typically engage their advocacy role in conjunction with local mental health providers and regional Clubhouse coalitions but often align themselves with other mental health advocates such as NAMI, local coalitions of service providers, and through an international association of Clubhouse programs organized through Clubhouse International.

Examples of Advocacy by Coalitions:

The Clubhouse Coalition Ohio recently advocated for funds from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. The advocacy effort resulted in funding awards to start seven new Clubhouses in Ohio. These new Clubhouses used the funding to participate in the New Clubhouse Development (NCD) Training that will help many more people living with mental illness in Ohio find a successful approach to recovery. The Clubhouse Coalition Ohio was instrumental in securing the awards and will continue to help these startup groups build upon their NCD Training.

The Clubhouse Michigan coalition advocated having all Michigan Clubhouses adhere to the quality assurance process of Accreditation as a requirement of funding. As a result, Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has seen dramatic improvements in member outcomes at those Clubhouses that have achieved Clubhouse International Accreditation which grew from 15 Accredited Clubhouses to 39 within a four-year period.

The Clubhouse Indiana coalition successfully advocated getting Accredited Clubhouses eligible for Medicaid funding. Advocacy efforts across multiple social services, mental health, and Medicaid administrations included: letters to the press, letters to the legislature, meetings with the Department of Mental Health, meetings with Medicaid, visits to the Statehouse, hiring professional advocates, and letters to the Governor.

Clubhouse Norway launched its Project 20 Clubhouses in 2013 to create twenty new Clubhouses. Ten years later they are one Clubhouse from achieving that goal.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the different forms of advocacy that the Clubhouse engages in.
Explore Clubhouse Board and Advisory Board roles as part of their fiduciary duties.
Understand the role of Clubhouse Coalitions and their international advocacy efforts around the world to improve mental health services and the quality of life for people with mental illness

Study Questions:

How does advocacy impact the Clubhouse and the benefit to Clubhouse membership?
Who should lead advocacy efforts within a Clubhouse?
Who should participate in advocacy efforts within a Clubhouse?
How do the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of the Clubhouse Board relate to policy and legislative advocacy?
What role does the Clubhouse have in advocacy efforts?
What is a Clubhouse Coalition and does every Clubhouse belong to one?

Essential Readings:

Creating Collaborations and Partnerships with Clubhouses: Guidance for Mental Health Practitioners
Who We Are (Video): This video describes global advocacy efforts by Clubhouses throughout the world.
Advocating for Medicaid Funding (Video): An example from the state of Indiana on how to get Medicaid funding and an example from the state of Maine about how to keep the integrity of the Clubhouse while meeting Medicaid reimbursement requirements.