SB 5644

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5644

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Human Services & Corrections, February 16, 2007

Brief Description: Establishing standards for clubhouse rehabilitation services.

Sponsors: Senators Regala, Brandland, Hargrove, Keiser, Pridemore and Delvin.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5644 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell and McAuliffe.

Background: The Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation is a consumer-run program for treatment of people with severe and persistent mental illness. The Clubhouse Model seeks to demonstrate that people with mental illness can successfully live productive lives and work in the community, regardless of the nature or severity of their mental illness. Currently, there are over 300 clubhouses in 24 countries around the world which are certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD).

In March of 1994, the ICCD was created to serve and represent the rapidly growing clubhouse community. Through the ICCD, a set of International Standards for Clubhouse Programs were developed and agreed upon by the worldwide clubhouse community, giving the first working definition of the Clubhouse Model of Rehabilitation. Every two years, the worldwide clubhouse community reviews the standards and amends them, as deemed necessary.

Summary of Bill: This bill defines "clubhouse" in the Washington Community Mental Health Services Act. A rehabilitation program identifying itself as a clubhouse must be certified by the ICCD.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Human Services & Corrections): The substitute bill eliminates the requirement that all clubhouses be ICCD clubhouses; defines clubhouse as a community-based facility that is certified by DSHS to provide rehabilitation services; expands the duties of DSHS to include the certification of clubhouses; and sets minimum standards for the purpose of certification of clubhouses.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Clubhouse Model has allowed individuals with mental health to recover and find employment. Standards hold entities that use the name clubhouse to an internationally recognized model. Clubhouses help individuals with mental illness have a place where they are provided with an opportunity to work together with other mental health consumers who have overcome their illness. The goal is to make consistent standards for all entities that use the clubhouse model. This bill tries to define clubhouse as an entity that provides supported employment services. This definition would permit the association of clubhouses in order to seek state funding of support of these services.

CON: ICCD Clubhouses only encourage individuals to seek employment. Recovery is a process and cannot be fully met when focus is only on employment-based recovery models. If one attaches a definition to clubhouses, mentally ill individuals will be limited in what the type of services that the Mental Health Division can fund. The state should support all of the models as different approaches work for different people. Currently, clubhouses are not licensed or certified by the Mental Health Division, this definition would limit the model that can be funded by the division under the federal waiver granted to this state by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

OTHER: There are a number of different models of clubhouses. Non ICCD clubhouses also follow standards and should not be excluded from using the term clubhouse. The ICCD certification is an expensive and document intensive process. It is concerning that clubhouses may be unable to open or may be driven out of business because of the cost of the certification process.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Lenora Warden, Ginny Russel, William Hagadorn, Rose House Clubhouses; Seth Dawson, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Washington, Washington State Coalition of Clubhouses.

CON: Jill San Jule, Diana Jaden-Catori, citizens; Ruben Brazzile, Washington Health Empowerment Network; Richard Kellogg, Mental Health Division, Department of Social and Health Services; John Fisher, Tacoma Area of Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities.

OTHER: Jean Wessman, Association of Counties.