Volume 9, Issue 1
Winter/Spring 2001

TFC Expansion
Outcomes Project Update

Latino Community

Alumni Programs
Desk of Alumni Coordinator

Staff Highlights
Outward Bound 2000

Congrats to the Staff
Did You Know
Circle of Friends
God Cares

Activities

Weekly
Monthly
Conferences
Splash Party
Double Trouble Meeting

Double Trouble Group Meetings

Zodiacs

Energy Assistance
Serenity Prayer
Today's Reminder
Holidays

The Friends Connection Expands In Philadelphia

Since the Friends Connection (TFC) was founded in 1989, our program participants have always had to be connected with Intensive Case Management (ICM) to receive our one-to-one peer support services. Those of you providing Resource Coordination (RC) services have been waiting for the chance to provide consumers with the additional community based support of the Friends Connection program. As the face of case management continues to change in Philadelphia, the Friends Connection recognizes that change and has opened referrals for all consumers receiving Targeted Case Management services. Individuals receiving either ICM or RC are now eligible for the Friends Connection's services. If anyone is interesting in making a referral to the FC, please call 215-599-4011.

The Friends Connection Opens New Program in Montgomery County

The Friends Connection has been working diligently with Montgomery County to expand services to its suburban neighbor. We are proud to announce the opening of our Montgomery County program beginning January 1, 2001. Montgomery County has been proactive in recognizing the need and the effectiveness of providing peer counseling and supports through the engagement of sober social and leisure activities for individuals with co-occurring disorders.

We have been working feverishly to begin a successful program and to create a large group participation in weekly community based activities and dances for Montgomery County individuals with co-occurring disorders.

We welcome aboard Program Manager Carol Holmes. Carol brings a wealth of management and training experience. Ted Dawson , our very own Philadelphia's Friends Connection DJ and Peer Support Counselor will join the Montgomery program to bring his experience and expertise as a Montgomery County Counselor and Resource Coordinator. Javiar Cintron will be transferring from our Philadelphia FC program to the Montgomery County program as a Counselor. We are also in the process of hiring a full compliment of staff to coordinate the Montgomery program.

The Friends Connection and Montgomery County program are in the process of finalizing the plans for a permanent location.

We will be Temporarily located at 38 Dekalb Street, Norristown, PA 19087. The telephone number is (610) 292-9922.

Update on the Friends Connection Outcomes Project

The Friends Connection (TFC), in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, and the Philadelphia Office of Mental Health is participating in a project to assess the effectiveness of the services provided by the Friends Connection. This project is a wonderful opportunity for consumers to express their views about the mental health system in Philadelphia and how the services they receive impact their lives. Eligible participants are those who have a co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorder and are currently receiving Targeted Case Management services. Potential participants must be interested in taking part in the Friends Connection program at some point in the future. Participants in this project have five interviews with researchers from the University of Pennsylvania over a sixteen-month period and are paid $20.00 for each interview. All information provided is completely confidential. Currently we have more than 30 individuals participating in the project. For more information or to make a referral, please contact Terrance Means at 215-599-4011, extension 4.