RECOVERY MODEL

Sims Consulting & Clinical Services Inc. endorses the Recovery Model as part of its active treatment with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. During the recovery process, this model indicates that in order for consumers to function optimally they are dependent upon clinicians, family/significant others, and community supports to provide support and/or services that are consistent with the best practices identified. Additionally, consumers take personal responsibility for managing their recovery by following the best practices as defined. Failure of any of these entities to behave consistently with best practices could result in consumers: not functioning optimally, taking longer than necessary to reach their optimal level of functioning, or having unnecessary relapses.

PERSON CENTERED PLANNING

Sims Consulting & Clinical Services Inc. adopts a person-centered planning approach to treatment. This process-oriented approach empowers consumers by focusing on the consumer and putting him or her in charge of defining their direction of their lives, not on the systems that may or may not be available to serve them. Person Centered Planning can produce results that will further the inclusion of people into activities and environments in their schools and communities. Planning in these ways assist the person who is the focus of the planning, and others that are invited to think and plan creatively about the resources and supports that might be necessary to implement an Action Plan.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY

A culturally sensitive approach to working within a multicultural context requires that agency personnel be aware of their own cultural values and beliefs. It is the policy of SCCS Inc. that staff approaches its consumers with sensitivity to and respect for the social context of the client's problems and their social and personal history. It is important to understand the personal meaning of the illness and suffering for consumer, their family, and their community. The cultural and racial diversity of SCCS Inc. is part of the agency's core identity and an invaluable resource to the community. Each consumer has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) free of conscience and religion (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression (c) freedom of peaceful assembly and (d) freedom of association. Every consumer is equal and under the law has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and in particular, without discrimination based upon race, national, or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.

Sims Consulting & Clinical Services Inc. (SCCS Inc.) encourages employees and independent contractors to demonstrate their ability to serve diverse populations before they serve individuals from diverse cultures. SCCS Inc. is committed to meeting the needs of it consumers and has dedicated itself to providing services, programs and policies that are appropriate and accessible to our consumers, who encompass a broad range of human differences such as ability and disability, age, educational level, ethnicity, gender, geographic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and values. As an agency, we will:

Recognize and honor diversity in all forms; Listen to the individuals we serve and employ; Offer continuous, comprehensive culturally competent education and training for employees and community stake holders; Recruit and retain culturally and linguistically competent staff; Eliminate when possible barriers that limit access to services; Develop, implement, and monitor adherence to culturally responsible policies, procedures, and practices; and Reach out to others in a culturally sensitive manner to the community we serve.