IOTI - Provider education

Project Details

Project Context:
The Provider Education Program was developed to address the learning needs of line staff within public agencies who work directly with individuals with severe and persistent disabilities/brain disorders. The program assists providers with recognizing the hardships that families and consumers face on a day to day basis, appreciating the courage and persistence it takes to live with and recover from mental illness and gaining practical medical knowledge about these disabilities.

Program Goals:
The training reflects a new knowledge base - the 'lived experiences' of people coping with a mental illness or caring for someone who lives with mental illness. Including this deeply personal perspective creates an appreciable difference in the program's content The curriculum inclues an overview of mental illnesses, research into the biological bases of mental illness, medication review, inside mental illness (what it is it like to live with a mental illness), responding effectively to families, learning about the whole family experience, and advocacy. The teaching team consists of 5 people: 2 family members of individuals with serious mental illness; 2 consumers who are knowledgeable about their own mental illness, have a supportive relationship with their families, and are dedicated to the project of recovery; and 1 member who is a mental health professional as well as a family member or consumer. This professional functions as the team coordinator.

Program Services; The NAMI Provider Education Program is a 5 week course with 2 1/2 hour classes once a week. Trainees will consist of case managers, psychiatric technicians, receptionists, social workers, clinical supervisors, and other line staff.