SILVER TRANSPARENCY CANDID
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Programs & Services
Residential Treatment
The goal of our four Supported Independent Living Homes is to provide a structured, supportive environment that allows each resident to reach his or her full potential.
Case Management Services
Elpida Residential Programs provides in-home case management to all residents of our program. This is tailored to the needs of the individual. Services may include assistance with
After-Care
When residents graduate from one of Elpida’s Supported Independent Living Homes, they are offered the option to maintain case management services, psychotherapy and attendance of groups.
Life-Skills
A primary focus of Elpida Residential Programs is in the development of strong independent living skills. Staff members work daily with residents in the homes, which allows
a thorough assessment of clients’ executive functioning. We look at the areas of time management, organization, hygiene, ability to follow through on projects, ability to use public transportation, cooking, budgeting, shopping, and overall self-care. We strongly believe that everyone can learn these skills, and have witnessed the blossoming of greater self-confidence once these skills have been developed. Elpida also offers a weekly Independent Living Skills group on a variety of topics to reinforce this focus.
Employment Focus
Each Elpida resident in the program is expected to do something meaningful in the community for at least two days per week. Research repeatedly finds that persons
who feel they are contributing something to society have higher levels of self-worth and well-being. This is especially true for persons with mental illness, who contend with the burden of feeling stigma. The stigma leaves them feeling unaccepted by society. The added value of earning a paycheck is a highly rewarding experience for someone with an illness that interferes with vocational success.
Many of our residents begin their vocational journey with volunteer work or job coaching, so that current skills can be assessed and areas needing development can be identified. Some work with their Case Manager to return to college or another form of vocational preparation. In all cases, the residents’ interests and aptitude are taken into account with staff providing genuine feedback and guidance to optimize the opportunities for success.
Treatment Focus
A primary focus of Elpida Residential Programs is to assist clients in developing the skills necessary to live a more meaningful, satisfying life. We believe strongly that
mental illness can achieve this if an investment is made in understanding the reasons for past problems and by then developing a road map for greater success in the future. Research consistently shows that this is most likely achieved through a combination of specific types of psychotherapy and medication. The staff members of Elpida Residential Programs continually strive to integrate current research on the treatment of mental illness into the various therapeutic aspects of its programs.
All of our residents come together four days per week for group therapy led by our professional staff. In addition to the therapeutic benefits gained by this, the residents also enjoy socialization and a sense of community by getting to know residents in other homes. Our current groups include Group Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Independent Living Skills. Additionally, residents participate in Stress Management/Meditation Groups in their homes.
Our holistic approach encourages all residents to be physically active, as mental health is clearly linked to physical well-being. To support physical activity, staff members lead a morning exercise group during the week.
HEALING COMMUNITY HOPE
Elpida Residential Programs is a private, non-profit organization that has provided caring, residential treatment for adults facing mental health problems since 1993. Our team of dedicated mental health professionals is committed to providing high quality care in a nurturing home environment. Residents in our programs receive case management and medication monitoring, group therapy, exercise, stress management/meditation classes, recreational outings and socialization activities, and independent living skills training that is tailored to the needs of each individual.
Our four homes are located in peaceful residential neighborhoods in Marin County, CA, just 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. All of the homes are conveniently located within walking distance of amenities such as shopping, restaurants, and public transportation, yet, they are also surrounded by the natural beauty for which Marin County is known.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the services provided by Elpida Residential Programs. If you wish to speak with someone about the program, please contact admissions :
Admissions Contact Information:
Austin McElhaney
Program Director
Austin@elpidahouse.org
628-222-5055
Who is a good fit?
Elpida is a therapeutic community of four Supported Independent Living Homes in San Rafael and Novato, serving adults ages 18 and over with serious mental illness. We do not offer services for adolescents or children.
Elpida is a long-term residential program. Residents stay a minimum of 6 months. Many people have chosen to make our community their long-term home. Some residents have lived in their homes for over 20 years.
Elpida’s expertise is chronic mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. We do not provide substance dependency, eating disorder treatment, dementia/memory care, or skilled nursing. Although our treatment is not specialized for substance dependency, we do work with individuals with co-occuring mental health and substance dependency issues (dual diagnosis) on a case by case basis.
Individuals with dementia, developmental disability, or medical illness in need of skilled care are better served in a setting that can meet their unique needs.
Our residents are not at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, and do not have active challenges with risky impulse control or self-harming behavior. Many residents come to us from inpatient or partial hospitalization programs after a period of stabilization.
Elpida believes medications can support people to achieve their treatment goals. We ask that residents be committed to taking their medications as prescribed. Daily medications can be observed, but residents must be able to hold and take their medications independently. We happily work with families to connect with appropriate doctors or seek second opinions.
Elpida has a non-substance use policy. We do not allow use of alcohol, medical or recreational marijuana, or illicit substances in our program. We support residents to make use of recovery models and groups, as needed. Many of our residents use caffeine, nicotine, and food for self-soothing. We use harm reduction strategies in support of wellness goals.
All of our homes are non-smoking. Marin County ordinances related to smoking must be followed by Elpida residents. Smoking is never allowed in the homes or non-designated areas.
Our primary goal is a safe environment for personal growth. Physical, verbal, emotional abuse or behaviors that jeopardize the safety of other residents and the entire Elpida community cannot be tolerated and may result in immediate eviction. Elpida has a zero tolerance policy for any forms of violence, this applies to verbal and emotional abuse and bullying.
If the treatment team assesses that the resident is not safe or thriving at Elpida, we will provide the individual and caregivers with recommendations for a more appropriate treatment setting.
Elpida uses best practices in evidence-based interventions for supporting wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Adjunct interventions such as spiritual counseling, body work, nutritional counseling, specific issue-therapy groups, gym memberships are frequently sought out by individual residents, but not included in our program.
What is the program like day-to-day?
Each resident works with staff to make and implement an individualized treatment plan. Staff work with a team of people – family, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, doctors, AA sponsors, conservators/payees – to contribute to and support that plan. After a few months, residents have a treatment conference with the team to re-calibrate the plan to best meet the resident’s needs.
Weekly attendance at all groups and activities is an essential part of our treatment program. Elpida residents attend group therapy, independent living skills, expressive arts, stress management/meditation and exercise groups. We all participate in monthly community outings, such as a day at the Marine Mammal Center, Stinson Beach, or museums in Golden Gate Park.
Elpida is a Supported Independent Living program with staff available daily. Staff do not hold medications or money. We recommend that residents with impulse control issues receive money in small weekly amounts or work with a payee. Residents are free to come and go during non-program times. Residents have one day a week and weekends free to pursue volunteering, school, employment, or outside activities.
All of our residents are expected to participate in meal planning and preparation, house meetings, completing a weekly household chore, and being a mindful member of a shared household. Case managers are at the homes to provide practical and emotional support, case management, and assist with coordination of appointments and activities.
Our homes are mixed-gender, and all residents have a private room.
How do I Pay?
Elpida is a private-pay program. Private insurance, MediCare, and MediCal do not reimburse or pay for our residential and supportive services.
Elpida provides two levels of care based on an individual’s needs. All new residents enter the program at the higher level of care. A resident may be eligible to move to the lower level of care depending on an assessment made by the program. All residents receive daily support from staff; however, there are no staff present overnight. Fees include a furnished room; access to groceries to prepare their own meals and other essential household goods; individual psychotherapy; skills groups, activities & outings; and case management. Call for current rates and required program deposit.
Elpida asks residents to sign a lease for a minimum 6-month stay. This is essential for residents to get settled and for case managers to help residents develop and pursue a treatment plan. If residents choose to leave before that time, their room will be available for them for the remainder of their 6-month lease term.
Elpida does accept vouchers from those enrolled through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8, administered by Marin Housing Authority. Details on qualifying and applying for that program are available here: https://www.marinhousing.org/housing-choice-voucher
Many of our residents apply for and receive benefits through Social Security. Switching benefits from out-of-county to Marin provides access to county services, such as Marin Community Clinics (http://www.marinclinic.org/).
Board of Directors
Shawn Granberry
Brandon Smith
Mr. Smith is a certified public accountant working as a tax preparation and accounting professional for the past decade. He started his accounting career at Ernst and Young US LLP where he worked with clients in the high-net worth individual, non-profit, sports entertainment, and technology sectors. Mr. Smith was an accounting manager at CalOSHA and Dept of Workers Compensation for the past nine years. He supervised the accounts receivable, accounts payable and Federal grant units. Mr. Smith graduated from Columbia university in 2004. Upon graduation, he worked at the King Papers Project in Stanford university. Initiated in 1985 by The King Center in Atlanta, King Center’s founder and president Coretta Scott King invited Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson to become the Project’s director. Mr. Smith was part of the editorial team that published the MLK Encyclopedia (2008) and King Papers Volume VI: Advocate of the Social Gospel (2007). Mr. Smith is active with his church and for six years he managed the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program annually preparing hundreds of tax returns for the local community while promoting saving and financial literacy.
Steve Sanchez
Next Steps?
Please review this document to see if Elpida is a fit with your resources and needs.
You are welcome to call Admissions with additional questions and to inquire about availability.
Admissions Contact Information:
- Austin McElhaney
- 628-222-5055
- admissions@elpidahouse.org
If after completing our admissions process, all parties agree the program is appropriate and there is a current opening, we can plan a date for move-in.
If you are having a mental health crisis, please seek immediate care or call 911.
Contact Info: contact@elpidahouse.org
Testimonials
"Our daughter was a resident of Elpida Residential Programs for 15 months during a most important time in her life. After many periods of hospitalization, her severe mental illness had been somewhat stabilized through the use of medications, but she was not in a position to return to an independent living environment. The personal assistance, structure, and kindness she received at Elpida helped her to ultimately return to college, receive a degree, live independently, work, and enjoy many of life's rewards."
Parents of former Elpida Residential Programs resident "Our son has been at Elpida Residential Programs for the last year and a half. They have proven to be highly committed to assisting the mentally ill. Their flexibility, creative approach to solving problems and willingness to work with family under the most trying circumstances has been invaluable. We highly recommend Elpida Residential Programs."
Current resident, Elpida Residential Programs "Our daughter was a resident of Elpida Residential Programs for 15 months during a most important time in her life. After many periods of hospitalization, her severe mental illness had been somewhat stabilized through the use of medications, but she was not in a position to return to an independent living environment. The personal assistance, structure, and kindness she received at Elpida helped her to ultimately return to college, receive a degree, live independently, work, and enjoy many of life's rewards."
Parents of former Elpida Residential Programs resident
"Our son has been at Elpida Residential Programs for the last year and a half. They have proven to be highly committed to assisting the mentally ill. Their flexibility, creative approach to solving problems and willingness to work with family under the most trying circumstances has been invaluable. We highly recommend Elpida Residential Programs."
Current resident, Elpida Residential Programs