Samaritan Center Clubhouse Receives Accreditation From Clubhouse International

The Accreditation Committee of Clubhouse International has awarded accreditation to Good Samaritan’s Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse based on their recent visit to the Clubhouse.

David Engstrom, Coordinator at the Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse was advised of this international recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. The Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse is one of 300 Clubhouse accredited facilities worldwide.

“Clubhouse International’s Accreditation will provide support to our program to ensure we meet the mission and goals for Clubhouse programs,” said Engstrom. “We are excited for the growth we have already seen in just our first year. We know that with this accreditation we will be able to expand our services and help more members.”

The Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse provides people living with mental illness opportunities for meaningful friendships, employment, housing, education and access to medical and psychiatric services in a single caring and safe environment. This social and economic inclusion reverses hospitalization and incarceration rates associated with mental illness.

Dr. Pamela Vaught, Samaritan Center’s Executive Director, stated that this accreditation illustrates the amazing work happening every day at the Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse. “I am so proud of the Clubhouse staff and members for achieving this recognition,” she said. “Samaritan Center will continue to support the Clubhouse program and aid in its growth.”

The Clubhouse International Accreditation is a symbol of quality – a clear demonstration of a Clubhouse’s commitment to excellence. A multi-level review is involved in the accreditation process includes a self-study, site-visit from Clubhouse International faculty, written report outlining the Clubhouse’s weaknesses and strengths to ensure it is fully complying with the Clubhouse International’s 37 Standards, receiving official accreditation and ongoing consultation and technical support.

In May 2020, Samaritan Center received a $4 million Federal grant to increase access to and improve the quality of community mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. In the first year of the grant, more than $725,000 was allocated to the hiring of additional direct service delivery staff, including case managers, therapists, a primary care nurse practitioner, and peer recovery specialists. Four areas of major focus for this grant include the Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse along with the Mobile Integrated Wellness Unit, Family Preservation Services and Adult Chemical Dependency Services.

The Samaritan Center is the regional Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) that provides a comprehensive array of services needed to create access all levels of behavioral health concerns in addition to necessary treatment for those with the most serious and complex mental health and substance use disorders. Samaritan Center is headquartered in Vincennes; however, the center provides these same services in outlying offices in Loogootee, Petersburg and Washington.

To learn more about the programs available through the Wabash Valley Friendship Clubhouse please call 812-885-8530. For information regarding additional programs provided by Samaritan Center, please call 812-886-6800.