Partners in CARE
Community Access to Recovery and Empowerment

Vinfen is a private, non-profit human service organization that provides housing and other services for people with psychiatric and other disabilities. Since its inception in 1977, Vinfen has offered these services to help consumers (adults and children) and their families attain the highest possible level of independence and quality of life. Vinfen has sites throughout eastern Massachusetts in both rural and urban settings.

MISSION
Vinfen transforms lives by building the capacity of individuals, families, organizations and communities to learn, thrive, and achieve their goals. As a human service leader, Vinfen strives to be the provider, employer, and partner of choice.

POPULATION SERVED
Vinfen housing services are available to persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and other disabilities.

CORE VALUES
Housing is basic: Housing is basic not just as shelter, but also as a source of learning about relationships, everyday activities and neighbors.
Zero reject policy: Vinfen is committed to meeting the needs of every individual referred regardless of the cultural or linguistic background, medical needs or the severity of the disability. This policy has resulted in the creation of innovative housing programs including: the first bilingual, bicultural supported housing program in Massachusetts serving Hispanic persons; specialized housing for persons with co-occurring disorders; and services for persons involved in the forensic system.
Consumer Leadership: Vinfen provides an environment in which the persons they serve are encouraged to take charge of their lives. For example, Vinfen developed and manages a statewide program designed to develop a cadre of individuals with serious mental illness to serve as peer educators. In addition, Vinfen employs dozens of individuals with mental illnesses in both direct care, and administrative roles. Vinfen also has its own internal human rights committee.
Commitment to staff training and professional development: All direct-care staff receives a minimum of 80 hours of training during their first month of employment. Training takes place at a state-of-the-art facility, called “Vinfen U.” Vinfen also encourages staff to take advantage of on-going training opportunities. In addition, Vinfen provides training and consultative services on a national and international basis.

PROGRAM SERVICES
Housing: Vinfen provides housing choices to nearly 1300 individuals. Housing services include:

• Supported Housing: Supported Housing is permanent, affordable housing where people live in their own apartment. Mental health services are offered separately from housing, and the services that are offered are individualized, flexible and readily accessible. Whenever possible, Vinfen ensures that consumers have supported housing, which comprises 40-45% of all Vinfen housing.
• Specialized Treatment Facilities: Vinfen provides residential services for individuals who request assistance for specific needs such as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, homelessness etc.
• Congregate Living Services: Vinfen offers opportunities for individuals, including those who have high need for staff support, to live in a group setting.

Community Support
Vinfen offers an array of community supports for individuals to access at any time during a person’s recovery, including:

• Day and Employment Services
• Clubhouse Services
• Outpatient and Emergency Services
• Crisis Respite Services
• Hospital Diversion Services
• Peer Support Services
• Community Outreach and Support Services

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Consumer Satisfaction: A 2003 consumer satisfaction survey revealed that 94 percent of consumers are satisfied with the services they receive; 91 percent of consumers reported that they are satisfied with the housing of their choice; 94 percent are satisfied with the choice of services available to them and 91 percent reported their satisfaction satisfied with the employment opportunities and supports they receive.
Cultural Competence: Vinfen is proud of its cultural competence. The cultural composition of Vinfen staff reflects that of Vinfen consumers. For example, Spanish-speaking persons in Vinfen housing work with Spanish-speaking staff, and Vietnamese clients work with staff that speak their language.
Expansive Development of Funding Sources: Despite the highly expensive housing market in Boston, Vinfen has been able to provide affordable housing by raising money from federal grants, bond issues, and private development opportunities.
Program Outcomes: In its most recent survey the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) described Vinfen as “a leader in developing outcomes that provide both policy and program direction… and is commended for the many provisions it has developed to monitor quality. The program reviews verify whether the client was actively involved in planning and in making informed choices regarding their services, while the reports confirm successes, plot trends and deduce situations that merit closer study.”
Program Evaluation and Research: Vinfen is a participant in the federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) study on Supported Housing, and has participated in studies in conjunction with Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Anthony Zipple, Sc.D., MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Vinfen Corporation
950 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
PH: 617-441-7170
Email: zipplet@vinfen.org
WEB: www.vinfen.org