Alliance Note: Members and supporters of Mental health Clubhouses in New York City are excited to see the added investment into expanding Clubhouse membership in the city, but the recently released Request for Proposals (RFP) has caused concerns about possible closures of existing Clubhouses. A group has put together a petition calling for the City to amend the RFP and work with existing Clubhouses to increase membership while not risking the closure of any programs and the disruption of many trusted relationships built at existing Clubhouses. See the full petition below as well as a link to sign at the bottom.
Save Essential Mental Health Clubhouses in NYC from Closure
Petition to the Administration, Commissioner, and City Council:
Postpone and amend the existing NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH’s) RFP that would close most existing NYC Clubhouses.
We are members and supporters of existing community-based Clubhouses in NYC. Our Clubhouses provide a community and pathway towards recovery for adults with mental illness.
We support the NY City Council and the DOHMH’s expressed goal to expand Clubhouse membership.
However, the RFP must be amended so small appropriately sized Clubhouses and supportive communities would not be shut down.
The existing RFP requires 300+ members and an average daily attendance of at least 120. There are only 3 Clubhouses in the world (out of 350) that meet these thresholds, according to Clubhouse International’s UMass Chan’s Program for Clubhouse Research.
This RFP will have devastating impact on the mental health of thousands of members who make up existing Clubhouses that will be forced to close, and will eliminate most existing Clubhouses in NYC.
We request the opportunity for DOHMH to work with Clubhouses to create a new implementation plan for the benefit of existing Clubhouse members and to ensure future members have access to the vibrant Clubhouse communities that already exist in NYC
Sign the Petition: Petition · Stop Closure of Essential Mental Health Clubhouses in NYC · Change.org