… succeeding in helping people strive for independence

MHA has been honored for our services, outcomes studies, education programs, advocacy action and, with MHAs across the nation, cost-effectiveness as a charity. Here are some of the ways our work has been acknowledged.

MHA Village

Recognition by two presidential administrations leads the list of national acclaim for the MHA Village, our model of care that provides comprehensive, coordinated service and support.

In 2002, President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health selected us as a model to study as it researched and recommended programs that work toward the President’s goal of enabling people with mental illness to participate more fully in their communities. In 2000, we were one of only 24 programs chosen by President Clinton’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for “exemplifying best employment practices for people with psychiatric disabilities.”

The MHA Village received the national Mental Health America’s Innovation in Programming Award, given in 2002 for our “success in representing state-of-the-art thinking (and) having ‘client empowerment’ as a central component.” In 2001, we received a best practices award from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Consumer Case Manager of the Year Award from the National Case Management Association.

We earned the American Psychiatric Association’s Gold Achievement Award, its highest distinction for community programs. In 2000, we were chosen from national competition for this prestigious recognition, given for making “an outstanding contribution to the mental health field (and being) a model for other programs.” The Village’s director received the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her many contributions that “led to lasting and far reaching advances” in mental health rehabilitation services. Our founding psychiatrist received the Eli Lilly Welcome Back Awards first place award in psychiatry for his “exceptional approach” to serving individuals.

In 1997, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration designated the MHA Village as an “exemplary practice.” This paved the way for agencies across the nation to receive federal funds to replicate our model.

Antelope Valley Services

The recognition we’ve received reflects our commitment to serve the valley’s many communities and the leadership of our director. United Way of Los Angeles - Antelope Valley Region named us “Charity of the Year” for 1997 and 2001 and honored our Antelope Valley Services director as 2001 “Volunteer of the Year.”

Our director is the 2003 Antelope Valley’s Athena Award recipient, given for professional excellence, community service and mentoring. In 2001, she received special recognition for lifetime achievement from Eli Lilly’s Welcome Back Awards, which celebrate the achievements of individuals on behalf of people with depression. She received the Clifford Beers Award; as the national Mental Health America’s highest honor, it is given to the person whose life’s work best exemplifies the example set by the association’s founder.

Project Return Peer Support Network

One of California’s first mental health self-help programs, Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN) has earned attention for its “consumer-run” services – by and for people with mental illness.

PRPSN is a model for Partners in CARE (Community Access to Recovery and Empowerment), a national Mental Health America initiative to spread effective services for people with mental illness.

Homeless Assistance and Housing Services

Our work to help homeless people from streets to stability has received local, state and national attention. The California Department of Mental Health recognized MHA’s combination of outreach, services and housing as a best practice in “California’s Programs to Address Homelessness,” a 2002 report prepared for the governor. United Way of Greater Los Angeles – Antelope Valley Region named the Homeless Solutions Access Center – the collaborative we started to help homeless individuals and families – as “Charity of the Year” for 2002. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development honored My Front Door – one of our housing programs – as a regional best practice.

Outcomes and Research

The work we’ve done to document the effectiveness of the “integrated services” recovery model has gained recognition. Our chief executive officer was named 2004 Researcher of the Year by the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. His outcomes study of the AB 34 programs – which served people with mental illness who cycle between streets and jail – was recognized by the California Mental Health Directors Association.

Education

We have received honors for our effectiveness in helping people find mental health care. In 2002, a member of our Information and Assistance team was named California’s nonprofit older worker of the year. The Governor’s office praised her ability to “understand the county’s complex mental health system and stay current with new trends in community mental health, helping each (caller) find the best resources for his or her specific need.” The National Alliance on Mental Illness – Los Angeles County honored her work in 2000.

Advocacy Action and Leadership

Our president emeritus has been recognized for his work to improve conditions and care for people with mental illness. Among his honors, he received the Pioneer Award at the Advocacy Conference organized by the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department’s Office of Consumer Affairs in 2008. The National Association of Social Workers – California Chapter and United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association both recognized his advocacy accomplishments in 2006. He received the California Network of Mental Health Clients’ 2002 Public Servant Award for his “partnership with the mental health client community for systems change.”

In its 2000 annual report, the California Community Foundation honored him as one of the Los Angeles nonprofit community’s “unsung heroes.”

Cost-Effective Charity

We are proud to be an affiliate of Mental Health America, a national organization that is praised for cost-effectiveness. For five years in a row, it earned top ratings from philanthropic, news and financial publications for managing funds efficiently and for using a high percentage of its income for programs and services.