Guidelines for Club Nova Admission/Continuation/Discharge

Club Nova is a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) that are over the age of 18 and residents of Orange County.  As a clubhouse community, Club Nova guarantees members a place to come, a place to return, meaningful work, and meaningful relationships.  Membership is completely voluntary and without time limits.  Each member decides his or her level of involvement and participation.  Club Nova highly values work as part of the rehabilitation process, providing meaningful work during the day, as well as opportunities for employment in the community though the Transitional Employment (TE) Program (see links to the left for more information about employment).  Club Nova also provides a social program and community support services, as well as some case management and crisis intervention.

First steps:

Prior to making a referral we prefer that the client and the referring clinician schedule a tour with the program unit.  This will give the client a first hand look at Club Nova and allow them to understand what we do and make an informed decision about becoming a member.  Please call (919)968-6682 to schedule a tour with the program unit. 

Referral:

We accept referrals on an ongoing basis between orientations.  The deadline for submitting new referrals is two weeks prior to the next scheduled orientation.  Clinicians must thoroughly complete the 2 page Club Nova referral form.  Referrals will not be reviewed unless all paperwork is presented.  An updated Person-Centered Plan (PCP), which includes Club Nova, must be completed, with a copy sent to Club Nova prior to orientation.  Please see the section entitled "Including Club Nova in Person-Centered Planning."

Orientation:

Orientations occur approximately every 2 months and last for 2 half-days.  After a member has been offered admission, the referring clinician and the client will be notified of the next upcoming orientation.

Admission Criteria:

1. The individual currently has a diagnosis of SPMI. Club Nova focuses its services on adults with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

2. The individual does not have a principle and/or primary diagnosis of a developmental disability, dementia, a substance abuse disorder, or personality disorder.

3. While the individual may need encouragement to become involved, it is essential that the individual wants and chooses to come to Club Nova. 

4. The individual must not be a threat to the general safety of the Clubhouse community.

5. Is an individual has a current substance abuse problem, the individual needs to exhibit evidence of addressing the substance abuse problem before membership can be considered.  Membership for such a referral will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Club Nova reserves the right to accept or defer membership for dually diagnosed individuals according to the staff's best judgment.

6. The individual needs or desires a welcoming community with a sense of belonging, reduction of isolation, increased community support, and opportunities for education, work, socializing, recreation, and making friends.

Continuation Criteria:

Once an individual becomes a member of Club Nova, membership is a lifelong right, unless membership poses a significant threat to the Clubhouse community.  Continuation in Club Nova is based upon need and/or the member's desire to continue utilizing the support and opportunities that the Clubhouse offers.  The wish or desire may be as simple as having a place to go during the day or to maintain relationships.  Additionally, given the recurrent and often chronic nature of mental illness, a supportive community is often a lifelong need.

Discharge Criteria:

If a member moves away, stops attending, or otherwise absents his or herself from the Clubhouse, their record may be closed.  However, records will be retained and the member may return whenever he or she chooses.  Members have a right to immediate re-entry into the Clubhouse unless their return poses a threat to the community.

Including Club Nova in Person-Centered Planning

    We at Club Nova hope to work with you on our members' person-centered plans in order to accurately reflect goals they have developed with Club Nova and the supports we provide them in working towards these goals.  Whenever possible, the staff at Club Nova would like to be directly involved in the person-centered planning process, either in person or on the phone, for each of our members with whom you work.  Each member of Club Nova has a designated staff person at Club Nova with whom you can ask to speak.  We have also developed this list of guidelines to help you better understand the services provided at Club Nova.  When the plan is completed, and subsequently updated, please send a copy to Club Nova. 

General:

• The services provided by Club Nova is called PSR (psychosocial rehabilitation).  On your plan, it is best to refer to Club Nova as "PSR" and to staff and members as "PSR staff and participants."  We include the phrase "PSR staff and participants" under "Who will Provide Support/Service?" for each goal to reflect the fact that a member works with a variety of staff and other members while at Club Nova.

• Under the "Needs" and "Supports" section of the plan, a few of the member's needs and supports should related to Club Nova and the services they receive here.  Example include: Improve daily living skills, develop a routine, engage in meaningful daytime activities, improve social relationships, build structure, improve work skills, develop coping skills, gain employment, increase stamina.

Goals:

Every Club Nova member has at least two (and preferably three) goals that are addressed at Club Nova, falling into these categories: Daily living, social, and vocational.

• The daily living goal addresses the member developing a routine at Club Nova and engaging in meaningful activities throughout the clubhouse's work-ordered day.  Examples of typical daily living goals include:

            1. Build self-esteem/confidence by assisting others in the ___________ unit, with tasks such as ____________.  (A staff member at Club Nova can help you determine which units a member works in and what tasks they may be doing).

            2. Build stamina and employment skills to prepare for employment by participating in the ___________ unit.

            3. Develop and maintain a consistent daily routine which will promote opportunities for learning new skills and building positive relationships.

• The social/interpersonal goal addresses the member's developing social skills, participating in social activities, and building relationships at Club Nova.  Examples of typical social goals include:

            1. Develop better social skills and reduce isolation by attending PSR on a regular basis, participating in meetings and activities, and interacting with others during leisure time. 

            2. Participate in social and recreational activities with support and encouragement from staff.

            3. Increase the quality of interactions with others by improving communication skills and reducing negative behaviors.

• The vocational goal is one which we have for almost every member, regardless of whether they are currently working or not, because all members have the opportunity to participate in Club Nova's transitional employment program.  Examples of typical vocational goals include:

            1. Obtain a transitional employment placement.

            2. Obtain independent employment.

            3. Develop work habits, skills, and attitudes.

Other goals:

In addition to the three main goals mentioned above, many members work on other goals while at Club Nova, including educational goals, residential goals, personal care skills, illness management skills, benefits management goals, and finance and budgeting skills.  The staff person who works with the member can tell you which of these other goals have been part of our service plans here at Club Nova.

Frequency of services:

Club Nova is open at least 56 hours a week, and some of our members come close to being there almost the entire time.  When you are specifying the frequency of service, we would ask you to phrase it this way: "PSR at least ____ hours a week, up to 56 hours a week, for skill development, training, activities, and support."

Signature:

Please ensure that the PCP is signed by all parties involved in the writing of the plan (you, your client, friends/family, a Club Nova staff person and the appropriate clinician- a licensed physician, physician's assistant, or licensed family nurse practitioner).

Date:

For new members, please ensure that the date of the PCP is prior to the member's Club Nova admission date.  For current members, please ensure that the new plan is completed and dated prior to the expiration of the previous plan.

John Santucci, our Coordinator of Community Support Services, can discuss formatting of the PCP with you.  Suzanne Smith can also help with becoming a member.  You can reach them both at (919)968-6682.

*This form needs to be completed and turned into Club Nova.  If you have any questions, please contact a staff member at Club Nova by calling (919)968-6682.    Form page 1, form page 2