The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion is engaged in research and knowledge development activities that are translated into practical and informative products to support full and meaningful community participation of individuals with serious mental illnesses. The Collaborative develops community inclusion resources that are aimed to assist the facilitation of community inclusion and participation of people with serious mental illnesses. These are some of our most widely requested resources, all of which are available to download for free.
Well Together: A Blueprint for Community Inclusion
The Temple University Collaborative’s Director, Mark Salzer, and Knowledge Translation Director, Richard Baron, have prepared a 120 page overview of: a) the definitions of community inclusion and documented justifications for making community inclusion a priority service development focus; b) the theoretical justifications for promoting community inclusion for individuals with disabilities; c) eleven core principles of community inclusion policies, programs, and practices and their research origins; and d) and a multi-sided view of community inclusion from consumer and family, clinical and rehabilitation, and community perspectives.
Jump-Starting Community Living and Participation
This toolkit contains sixty-six practical first steps that community mental health providers can take to more effectively support their service recipients’ participation in everyday community life. This compendium of simple strategies – drawn from fifteen years of research and training activities at the NIDILRR- funded Temple University RRTC on Community Living and Participation – focuses on policy changes, programming shifts, and practice innovations that can quickly give new life and relevance to your agency’s operations. The Toolkit offers a set of do-able strategies, along with links to over 100 publications and products to support your work.
A Practical Guide for People with Mental Health Conditions Who Want to Work
Although a staggering number of individuals with mental health conditions do not work, competitive employment remains a essential goal for most, and the truth is that most people with mental health conditions are able to work successfully if they receive the supports they need. In fifteen brief chapters, the guide offers vital information on the importance of work, the availability of rehabilitation programs, the ins and outs of the Social Security Administration’s work incentives, the challenges of starting a new job and grappling with disclosure, strategies for long-term success at work, encouragement, and more.
Supporting Physical Activity: A Guide for Peer Support Specialists
This guide, developed by Whitney Strange as her master’s project in the Master of Science in Recreation Therapy program in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, under the direction of Dr. Gretchen Snethen at Temple University, was created as a means to enhance peer support specialists’ ability to encourage consumers with mental illnesses to increase physical activity levels. The lessons within this guide provide an overview of physical activity as well as the risks associated with inactivity, and also focus on the understanding of consumers’ needs.
Using Social Media to Enhance Community Participation
Looking for ways to be more active in your community? This manual examines ways in which individuals with mental illnesses can use social media networks to enhance community participation. Social media features and functions are examined as well as specific networks such as: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeetUp, and Yelp. Also reviewed are considerations and risks when using social media.
A Practical Guide for People with Disabilities Who Want to go to College
This document provides a practical guide to help people with disabilities who want to pursue their education goals at a community college, career institute, four-year college, university, or graduate school. The guide provides an overview of the challenges and supports needed to help achieve this goal. These include: finding the right school, locating supports, managing your disability and your education, and using your new educational qualifications in the search for a better job.
The Peer Facilitated Community Inclusion Toolkit
This toolkit is an excellent resource to help peers explore goals for increasing community participation with the consumers they work with. This toolkit includes various exercises and worksheets that peers can use to help individuals reflect on desired levels of community participation, explore existing supports and resources, and develop community participation goals.
Mental Health and Wellness Through Civic Participation: Why Your Opinion Matters
This 20 page document outlines the steps to getting involved in government. The document outlines how to identify your views, choose a political party, identify reputable news sources, choose a level of engagement and connect with your government directly. There is also a detailed section on voting, it includes voter eligibility requirements, how to register, where to vote, how to choose a candidate and what to do when you get the polls. This document is meant to remind persons with mental illness that their thoughts express them and be heard.