PRS Inc. Launches the DC Recovery Academy

McLean’s PRS Inc. will open its doors for the first time in the District of Columbia on April 8 to launch the DC Recovery Academy.

The DC Recovery Academy, funded by the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health, is an integrated rehabilitation day service providing skill teaching and structured classes to District of Columbia residents aged 18 – 35 years who are living with serious and persistent mental illness, who also may have co-occurring substance use disorders.  Resembling the structure of “community college," a familiar setting for most young adults, the academy will provide a targeted psycho-educational curriculum in twelve-week blocks.

The program will serve as a normalizing environment so that each client can focus on his/her recovery goals and identify as a student in recovery. Most importantly, the academy will promote transition from PRS’ facility-based programming into meaningful community-based alternatives of school and work.

The academy will offer an array of curriculum-based classes, Monday through Friday (except major holidays). Clients will choose from three educational tracks: Employment, Education, or Recovery from Co-occurring Disorders. Each track has specific course recommendations for clients to consider when registering for classes.

For example, the Employment Track includes such classes as Planning Ahead, Advanced Computer Skills, Customer Service Skills, Turning Point and Next Step. Depending on a client’s needs, other classes also may be recommended for a client with an employment goal, such as:  Managing Symptoms while Working, Anxiety Management, Money Management or Work, Benefits and Entitlements. Visits to community-based job sites or educational facilities will be important for all clients and may be conducted on an individual or group basis as needed.

Unlike traditional day programs, the academy is not designed for unlimited stay in the program.  Transition from the academy to community-based competitive employment or educational programs is the aim for each client.

Clients entering the program will be assessed and have a unique Individual Recovery Plan (IRP) to determine their recovery goals and to identify strengths and barriers to reaching those goals. The IRP will also outline objectives within each goal and strategies to reach those objectives.  Case Service Workers, PRS staff and clients will work together to identify Recovery Academy courses that will best facilitate the client’s movement toward identified goals. At any point that the client feels s/he is ready to begin employment or classes in the community, staff will commence the process of helping the client choose, get and keep a job or enroll in and attend classes.

Onsite employment specialists, supported education specialists and transition specialists who are subject matter experts not only in teaching targeted curriculum-based classes but also in successfully transitioning clients to work and school in the community, are integral to the program design. Successful outcomes will occur due to the seamless transition for clients who develop trusting relationships with staff who will support them in the facility and in the community. Although clients who successfully transition to employment or school may no longer need RA classes, they will continue to receive community-based services from the Academy staff. Long-term supports are critical in clients’ successful recovery efforts.

“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our reach and serve District residents with the same expertise and excellence our team is known for in Northern Virginia,” said PRS President and CEO Wendy Gradison in a news release. "Since our founding in 1963, we have transformed thousands of lives and our work in D.C. will only enable us to serve more people in our community who are in need of the intensive skills training and supports PRS provides. We partner with our clients to increase independence, manage disability, and work toward volunteerism, educational opportunities, employment or other valued roles of their choosing."

Headquartered in McLean, VA, PRS, Inc. has been providing skills training and support to individuals living with mental illness, substance use disorders, mild intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or any combination of these since 1963.