Transforming Lives - The Newsletter of The Harris Center Issue 1 - Summer 2016

A ribbon cutting marked the inauguration of the new PHCRU on Friday, May 13, 2016 Transforming Lives Summer 2016 The New Post-Hospitalization Crisis Residential Unit A residential facility for persons discharged from psychiatric hospitals The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD recently hosted an Open House and inauguration for its new PostHospitalization Crisis Residential Unit (PHCRU). Funded by the Texas 1115 Healthcare Transformation Waiver, this one-of-a-kind, cost-effective program will focus on furthering each individual’s work toward stabilization and reducing costly emergency room visits, incarceration and rapid hospital readmissions in the future. The goal of the PHCRU is to treat individuals in a less restrictive voluntary setting during the critical time immediately following discharge from psychiatric hospitals. Program participants will be served in a protected environment where intense psychosocial skills are taught, practiced and modeled. Participants will further stabilize and socialize while learning skills that are specifically designed to enhance their ability to successfully return to the community. Average daily costs at a psychiatric hospital range from $500 to over $1000. Daily costs at the PHCRU are below $350. Intensive efforts at the PHCRU will help link clients with essential community services such as ongoing healthcare, food stamps, assistance from state agencies, legal services, homeless courts, access to clothing, mail services, residential chemical dependency treatment and housing. Residents will join clinical groups that will support their recovery plan, and participate in chore assignments. Skills taught at the PHCRU will help enable individuals to avoid the everpresent risk of rapid re-hospitalization and to better manage or prevent crises in the future. During the inaugural event, guests toured the 24-resident facility, and they had the opportunity to hear from PHCRU staff members on their plans for the facility. Open house attendees included representatives from the offices of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Harris County Commissioner Gene Locke, Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack, State Representative Jessica Farrar, State Representative Gilbert Peña, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s representative presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to The Harris Center PHCRU in honor of its opening. MYSTRENGTH A “health club for your mind” MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE A special documentary INTERPRETATION SERVICES Sharing understanding, spreading hope TEXANS RECOVERING TOGETHER Helping flood survivors THE COFFEEHOUSE Brewing a fresh new you Transforming Lives | Summer 2016 The Harris Center Public Affairs [email protected] 24-Hour HelpLine 713-970-7000