Reunifying single-parent families with special needs.

Abstract

This article describes how single-parent families separat ed by homelessness, parental mental disability, and, often, substance abuse are reunited by the Emerson-Davis Family Center (Center), a demonstration project of the Institute of Community Living, Inc., in New York City. Experience with this project suggests that a well-designed congregate care apartment program can be used to create a nurturing home fo r recovering adults and their young children. In addition to residential services, the Center directly provides or case manages a comprehensive array of family clinical, educational, and preventive services. The project's methods are promising in both human and fiscal terms.

A Survey of Programs for Parents with Mental Illness and their Families: Identifying Common Elements to Build the Evidence Base

“…17 These included: (1) specialized, acute inpatient services for women that focus on both stabilization of mental health symptoms, and the interface of psychiatry and reproductive health; 18 (2) intensive, comprehensive, community-based programs that address a wide range of mental health, rehabilitation, and parenting needs; 17,19,20 and (3) less comprehensive support and education services for parents and children. 21,22 Several programs across subtypes reported positive outcomes for adherence to complex and demanding treatment plans, 23 improved parenting knowledge and skills, child custody, and increased independence, 22 as well as for child development outcomes. 17 However, most studies lacked a control group and relied on provider report.…”

“…17 However, most studies lacked a control group and relied on provider report. 20,22,23 One study, employing a quasiexperimental design and standardized measures, raised as many questions as it answered. Specifically, Cohler and colleagues 17 compared mothers and young children (0-5 years of age) receiving a comprehensive clinical and psychoeducational program, to mothers and young children receiving weekly home visits.…”

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23]27,28 In addition, interventions described in the literature reflect the central values of preserving family integrity, and preventing family separation, disruption, and custody loss. 23,27 Differences across existing programs may highlight the range of characteristics and variability in needs among parents with mental illness and their children at different ages, and provide definition to the continuum of potentially effective intervention strategies.…”

Supporting clubhouse members in their role as parents: Necessary conditions for policy and practice initiatives.

“…Research also indicates that parents with psychiatric disabilities value and prioritize parenting in much the same way as all parents (Mowbray, et al, 2000; Nicholson Sweeney, & Geller, 1998), feel good about themselves in their role as parents (Oyserman, Bybee, Mowbray, & Kahng, 2004), and respond positively to parenting supports and targeted interventions (Hinden, Biebel, Nicholson, Henry, & Katz-Leavy, 2006). Parenting may provide important motivation for recovery, and has been associated with increased adherence to treatment (Lieberman, Campanelli, Tomas Cruz, Nagel, & Palmer, 1999). By contrast, lack of attention to the parenting role has been associated with decreased participation and compliance with treatment recommendations (Oyserman, Mowbray & Zemencuk, 1994).…”