NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE (NFI) New Freedom Initiative: State Coalitions to Promote Community-Based Care (NFI) This initiative supports implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. Under contract to the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), AHP and its partners created a National Coalition and statewide coalitions to help States examine the characteristics and service needs of adults with serious mental illnesses and children with severe emotional disturbances who are hospitalized or at risk of psychiatric hospitalization; to identify the barriers to serving these individuals in communities; and to explore strategies that would ensure their successful transition to community living. AHP staff and consultants also provided a broad range of training and TA related to community integration. Topics included supportive housing for people with disabilities, consumer involvement in community integration planning, cultural competence, Assertive Community Treatment, supported employment, coalition-building, transition planning for youth with serious emotional disturbances, and systems change strategies. In addition to providing both on-site and off-site TA to grantees, AHP produced an annual Training Institute for State mental health Olmstead Coordinators and other stakeholders, frequent presentations regarding NFI, and TA publications and products, including annual reports describing States’ activities and emerging or promising practices, white papers, training curricula, and a documentary film. The video was entitled Community Integration Now! Consumer Involvement in State Community Integration Planning, and was accompanied by a training curriculum that included a trainer’s guide, participants’ manual, and PowerPoint slides. This curriculum was delivered in more than 20 Statesby a consumer member of AHP’s TA team. It also was translated into Spanish. AHP managed annual stipends totaling $1 million to the States and Territories to support coalition building. To facilitate awards, AHP designed and maintained a Web-based system for States to apply annually for the grant funds, reviewed applications and made recommendations for action by CMHS, and completed fiscal reports and expenditure projections. The interactive Web site also served to both disseminate and receive information about the project. Designed as a “one-stop shop” that eased demands on users’ time, the Web site helped AHP collect, synthesize, and disseminate information to state coordinators responsible for developing coalitions and community integration plans. AHP also developed a Consultative Group with representatives of key stakeholder groups, including consumers, families, and providers, to provide consultation and guidance regarding training and TA delivered under this contract.
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