Creating a recovery-oriented system of behavioral health care: Moving from concept to reality.

Abstract

This article describes challenges and successes seen in the first four years of efforts the state of Connecticut has made to reorient its behavioral health system to promoting recovery. Beginning in 2000, the Connecticut initiative was conceptualized as a multi-year, systemic process that involved the following interrelated steps: a) developing core values and principles based on the input of people in recovery; b) establishing a conceptual and policy framework based on this vision; c) building workforce competencies and skills; d) changing programs and service structures; e) aligning fiscal and administrative policies; and, finally, f) monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting these efforts. Following descriptions of the first four steps, the authors offer a few lessons that might benefit other states engaged in similar processes of transformation.

Fidelity and Recovery-Orientation in Assertive Community Treatment

“…Such strategies include an examination of how the emergent literature on recovery standards (e.g., Davidson et al 2007) might be incorporated as indicators of ACT fidelity. Additionally, and as others have suggested (Salyers and Tsemberis 2007), it would be beneficial to engage ACT teams in a service development process that includes measurement of recovery orientation, trainings in recovery principles, and ongoing supervision and monitoring of implementation.…”

The Transformation of Mental Health Services To a Recovery-Orientated System of Care: Canadian Decision Maker Perspectives

“…The most comprehensive U.S. state-wide reform effort occurred in Connecticut, producing a mission statement, programme and practice standards, centres of excellence, and research instruments measuring different dimensions of recovery (Davidson et al, 2007).…”

Using Qualitative Research to Inform Mental Health Policy

“…Building on this foundation, additional qualitative research has been conducted to explore and elaborate on the core characteristics of recovery-oriented services, supports, and systems of care, which take as their aim supporting the individual's own efforts in managing his or her condition while regaining a safe, dignified, and meaningful life in the communities of their choice. 25,26 Such studies [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] were based on the first-person experiences and narratives of people living with serious mental illnesses and generated valuable insights for the ways in which people can actively "take up the work of recovery" 29 Both of these landmark policy documents establish recovery as the overarching aim of mental health care, and argue persuasively for the need to fundamentally transform existing care to reorient services, supports, and systems to promote it. However, beyond putting forth a vision of a satisfying, hopeful, and meaningful life in the community-to which every individual with a serious mental illness is entitled-both reports are equally vague in relation to what precisely the process of recovery involves and what reorienting services, supports, and systems to promote it entails.…”