Advancing recovery orientation in the public mental health system through a learning community

Via Hope, a consumer family youth training and technical assistance center, was created to further transformation of Texas' mental health system into one that promotes recovery, is person centered, and consumer-driven. Over a one-year period, a recovery focused learning community (RFLC) was employed to advance these goals in community mental health centers (n=10) and state psychiatric hospitals (n=5). The RFLC purpose was: 1) to develop a deeper understanding of recovery orientation and recovery-oriented practices, and 2) to increase in the number of peer specialist positions in the public mental health system. Organizational change teams attended two RFLC conferences, used a change tool to set recovery goals and track progress, administered Recovery Self-Assessment (RSA) surveys to staff members and clients at pre- and post-project, and participated in monthly all team conference and individual site consulting phone calls to share and disseminate achievements and discuss solutions to barriers. RFLC results were: 1) significant changes in one to three subscales of the RSA by clients and staff at 12 of the 15 participating agencies; 2) increased number of peer specialists working as staff or volunteers at the sites from 22 to 45; and 3) all of the participating agencies expanded peer support services offered by their agencies. The learning community model appears to be a good method to support organizational learning and facilitate change in recovery orientation and practices. Findings from the data collected, lessons learned, and recommendations for future recovery focused learning communities will be presented.