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Welcome to our web site!
What is CSP?
The Community Support Program (CSP) of Pennsylvania is a coalition of mental health consumers, family members and professionals
working to help adults with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders live successfully in the community. The statewide
coalition links CSP nationally with regional and local CSP's throughout the State.
A Brief History of CSP
In 1984, the State Office of Mental Health (OMH) was awarded one of National Institute of Mental Health Technical Assistance
Grants to help adopt the CSP model within state planning processes. At this time, Pennsylvania's State CSP Advisory Committee
was formed. A group of consumers, family advocates and professionals/providers was invited to serve on this statewide committee.
Their purpose was to meet on a monthly basis to advise the Commonwealth's Office of Mental Health on issues and strategies
for the development of Community Support Systems. The committee structure also provided the means for these three constituent
groups to find common ground and form an alliance to advise the State Office of Mental Health on recommended priorities. The
State CSP Advisory Committee eventually evolved into a working group of 22 members equally representing consumers, family
members and professionals from the four regions of the state. Despite changes in state leadership, staff and membership, this
committee has served its constituents faithfully over the past 16 years.
CSP Principles
Consumer-Centered/Consumer-Empowered
Services are based upon the needs of the individual and incorporate self-help and other approaches that allow consumers
to retain the greatest possible control over their own lives.
Culturally Competent
Services are sensitive and responsive to racial, ethnic, religious and gender differences of consumers and families.
Designed to Meet Special Needs
Services are designed to meet the needs of persons with mental illness who are also affected by such factors as old age,
substance abuse, physical illness or disability, mental retardation, homelessness or involvement with the criminal justice
system.
Community-Based/Natural Supports
Services are provided in the least coercive manner and in the most natural settings possible. Consumers are encouraged
to use the natural supports in the community and to integrate into the living, working, learning and leisure activities of
the community.
Flexible
Services are designed to allow people to move in and out of the system and within the system as needed.
Coordinated
Treatment services and supports are coordinated on both the local system level and on an individual consumer basis in
order to reduce fragmentation and to improve efficiency and effectiveness with service delivery. Coordination includes linkages
with consumers, families, advocates and professionals at every level of the system of care.
Accountable
Service providers are accountable to the users of services and include consumers and families in planning, development,
implementation, and monitoring and evaluating services.
Strengths Based
Services build upon the assets and strengths of consumers and help people maintain a sense of identity, self-esteem and
dignity.
A Recovery Model For People with Mental Illness and Co-Occurring Disorders
Persons with serious mental illness will be given priority in the provision of treatment, services and supports.
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