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I'm sorry that I haven't been able to participate today due to schedule conflicts.  I am director of FolkTime (www.folktime.org), a non-profit peer support program for people with chronic mental illness.  FolkTime has an office in NE Portland and one in Oregon City. Both sites offer people peer-directed programming four days a week and a nourishing meal on three days.

Peer directed services are backed by substantial research in their effectiveness at reducing hospitalization, reducing contact with law enforcement, and improving quality of life for both the member (client)and their caregivers.

There is no charge to attend, but a referral is required.  Unfortunately, despite the millions spent on expensive treatment, no local mental health systems provide payment for services at FolkTime, yet they do provide all of the referrals.  We have to raise every dollar.

FolkTime is not a crisis center.  It is a place many call home and we have members who have backgrounds that include jail time and criminal activity.  They all credit attendance at FolkTime with their current well-being.

In other areas, peer-directed support services are considered a low-cost, funded part of the mental health services continuum.  Why not here?

Tom Brady

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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