Biopsychosocial and Lived Experience Integration

Advocates to ensure individuals can access quality mental health services and supports, enabling them to live independently and participate fully in the community.

Provides trauma-informed, person-centered engagement through active listening, validation, and follow-through, utilizing peer support specialists with lived experience to serve as educators, advocates, and connectors to resources. Services support individuals in achieving personal health and social goals and are grounded in peer-led models developed since the 1980s.

Deploys mobile teams of peer support specialists with lived experience to assist law enforcement with behavioral health crisis calls, collaborate with courts to provide care-based alternatives to incarceration, and support individuals in community settings. Includes operation of the LEAD street outreach program, which offers a racially equitable alternative to arrest and incarceration for individuals with unmet behavioral health needs.

Developed and supported the replication of peer-led crisis response services and systems-level improvements, including the establishment of 39 peer-operated crisis respites across 15 U.S. states, Europe, and the Netherlands, and supported the development of peer-run mobile crisis teams and transitional care programs in multiple states and clinical settings.

Operates therapeutic and creative groups including gardening, crochet, art therapy, and community connection activities in Kingston and Poughkeepsie, NY, focused on peace, healing, and emotional wellness.

Operates 24/7 crisis stabilization centers and short-term, home-like crisis respite facilities (Rose Houses) as alternatives to psychiatric emergency rooms and inpatient units, offering immediate access to peer specialists and behavioral health professionals for people of all ages, with stays up to seven days. These services are available 24/7/365 and include sliding-scale or no-cost case management.

Delivers community-based recovery services and care coordination to adult Medicaid beneficiaries with mental and/or substance use disorders, connecting them to health care and community resources in their homes or communities to improve overall health and support wellness goals.

Offers supportive housing with rent subsidies and individualized services to help individuals live independently and achieve self-defined goals. Also provides employment and benefits counseling to help individuals maximize benefits, increase employability, secure jobs, and maintain employment.

Operates a daily psalm-recitation program with thousands of participants who pray for individuals struggling with eating disorders; the group collectively completes the Book of Psalms three times per year as a spiritual support initiative.

Provides comprehensive emotional, psychological, and practical support to individuals with eating disorders and their families, including crisis intervention, counseling, guidance on treatment adherence, and tools for recovery from conditions such as anorexia and bulimia. Emphasizes sustained, integrated care and acceptance throughout the recovery process.

Provides referral services and advocates for individuals within medical and hospital settings to ensure access to appropriate care and coordinated treatment.

Offers one-on-one mentoring to support individuals through recovery and educates their families and social networks on effective communication and support strategies.

Offers education, guidance, and emotional support to individuals and families impacted by eating disorders.

Produces and publishes multiple periodicals including Mishpacha Magazine, Hamechanech, Wellspring magazine, and AMI Magazine to disseminate educational and community-focused content.

Conducts research and development as part of its programming to support its mission in eating disorder treatment and prevention.

Trains teachers and school staff in emotional wellbeing, eating disorder prevention, early detection, and supportive roles in student recovery to promote early intervention in educational settings.

Hosts remote support groups via teleconference to provide accessible emotional and communal support during critical stages of eating disorder recovery.

Leads National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and other year-round campaigns to improve public understanding, reduce stigma, and promote prevention. In 2020, these efforts generated 83.3 million media impressions. Also organizes National Eating Disorders Screening Week and back-to-school outreach initiatives.