ABOUT ACL

ADVOCACY, COMMMITMENT, LEADERSHIP SINCE 1979

The Association for Community Living (ACL) is a statewide membership organization of not-for-profit agencies that provide housing and rehabilitation services to over 20,000 people diagnosed with serious and persistent psychiatric disabilities. The day-to-day rehabilitative activities performed in community residential and other settings are vital for people who face the daily challenges of living with a psychiatric disability, but who want to live independent, productive and satisfying lives as members of the community.

Every day, 24 hours a day, thousands of skilled and dedicated professionals provide essential rehabilitative services that assist New York State citizens with serious and persistent psychiatric disabilities in rehabilitating their lives. These direct care and supervisory staff, and the community-based programs for which they work, provide essential services including counseling, crisis intervention, symptom management, self-medication training, vocational training, as well as a variety of other skills trainings.

More than 125 member agencies provide a variety of residential and other rehabilitation services, including:

• community residences for adults in both congregate and apartment settings,
• supported housing,
• service-enriched single-room occupancy (SRO),
• community residences for children and youth,
• residential care centers for adults (RCCA),
• vocational training, and
• social programs.

Our member agencies provide services to people with the greatest needs. All of the people who live in community residences have met New York State’s criteria for serious and persistent psychiatric illness. A large percentage has a history of substance abuse problems as well. Community residences for children serve those who have been diagnosed with a serious emotional disability that requires treatment in a residential setting in the community.

ACL’s mission is to promote these effective community-based rehabilitation services for people with psychiatric disorders. Association members respect and embrace many of the principles driving the growing consumer empowerment movement within the mental health system. ACL encourages our member agencies to involve people with psychiatric disabilities as well as family members and significant others in the rehabilitation process and in planning and evaluating services.

• The Association is committed to the principles that:
• Life skills are best acquired in the environments where individuals live and work.
• People should be actively involved in all aspects of their rehabilitation.
• Housing options and support services should be determined by individual needs and preferences. An array of safe, affordable housing options and flexible support services must be available to meet those needs and preferences.
• Individuals, families, service providers and advocates must share the challenge of designing cost-effective programs that promote recovery.
• Service providers should educate the public to eliminate the stigma and discrimination that prevent individuals from realizing their full potential.

To accomplish these goals, ACL advocates and lobbies on behalf of our members on mental health issues with New York State and local government, and the public. ACL is committed, not only to advocating for community needs, but also to helping members understand the changing health care landscape. This involves conducting research, preparing management tools, providing training and technical assistance, and engaging national leaders in ACL conferences and training events.

ACL celebrated its 25th year in 2004.

For a membership package, please contact us at 518 688-1682 or e-mail info@aclnys.org.