The Advocacy Alliance

Community Support Program

The Community Support Program (CSP) is a coalition of mental health consumers of services, family members, advocates and professionals who work together to ensure quality of life issues for persons who have a mental illness. CSP aims to accomplish this through advocacy, education and the elimination of stigma and discrimination. Members of the local CSP committees participate in activities, which are designed to heighten awareness about mental illness and improve the quality of life for individuals who have a mental illness. By promoting such activities, the CSP helps individuals gain confidence, self-esteem and independence in the community.

As Northeast Region Coordinator for CSP, the Advocacy Alliance's goal is to educate and to assist local communities in improving opportunities and services for persons who are involved with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. The CSP envisions a service delivery system which will provide a flexible array of appropriate and creative opportunities and services responsive to individual need.

The Northeast Region CSP meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 10:00 A.M.—1:00 P.M. at the Recovery Center, 825 Jefferson, Avenue Scranton, PA 18510.

CSP Principles

Consumer Centered/Consumer Empowered
Services are based on the needs of the person, allowing consumers the greatest possible control over their lives.

Strengths Based
Strengths build on assets and strengths of consumers to help maintain their identity, self-esteem and dignity.

Culturally Competent
Services are sensitive and responsible to racial, ethnic, religious and gender differences of consumers.

Accountable
Services are accountable to consumers and families in planning, developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating services.

Community Based/Natural Supports
Services encourage consumers to use natural supports in the community and integrate into all aspects of the community.

Flexible
Services are designed to allow people to move within and around the system as needed.

Designed To Meet Special Needs
Services are designed to meet the needs of persons with mental illness who are also affected by other factors.

Coordinated
Services and supports are planned in collaboration with consumers, families, advocates and professionals at every level of the system.

Northeast Region CSP Officers

    Carl Mosier
    Mark Beauchemin
    Irene Burke

Upcoming Meetings

If your CSP is unable to attend the Northeast Region CSP meetings, your information can be included in the meeting and the minutes by completing the attached form and sending it to Lynn Houseknecht via fax, mail or e-mail by the third Monday of each month. Click here for a printable form.

Resources for CSP

Local CSP Meetings in your Community
Minutes of Last Meeting
Agenda for Next Meeting
Directions to Next Meeting
Scholarship Application
State of the Region Update
Local County Community Support Program Update
Seed Grant Application
Northeast Region Leadership In Recovery Retreat Application