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PROJECTS
THE PENNSYLVANIA PSYCHIATRIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL:
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS

THE PENNSYLVANIA PSYCHIATRIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (PPLC)
The Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council is a statewide group of stakeholders created in
response to the need for recruitment and retention of highly qualified public community psychiatrists
across the state of Pennsylvania.

CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE (COE) PROJECT
As part of this effort, the state Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
funded the creation of three psychiatric Centers of Excellence to work on the recruitment and
training of psychiatrists into community psychiatry. These centers are located in Erie (Millcreek
Community Hospital in collaboration with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine & Presque
Isle Psychiatric Associates), Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania), and Pittsburgh
(Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic & the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine).

FAMILY COMMITTEE OF THE PPLC
Family Inclusion is one component of the PPLC’s efforts. The members of the PPLC Family
Committee have been involved in developing two position papers:
(click on the title to see each document)

1. FAMILY CARE TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC FELLOWS:
A POSITION PAPER
The Family Care Training For Community Psychiatry Fellows provides recommendations to psychiatry
fellows, who are involved with the Centers of Excellence, regarding the needed attitudes, knowledge,
skills and supportive research about involving families in the treatment process of the loved one in
need.
It encourages the training of psychiatric fellows to become familiar in working with families
as early in the treatment process as possible. This position paper has been approved by the
Family Committee of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council.

2. FAMILY INCLUSION COMPETENCIES FOR COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRISTS:
A POSITION PAPER
The Family Inclusion Competencies provides guidance and recommendations for competencies needed
by psychiatrists already working with consumers and their families in the community. It recommends
how community psychiatrists should work with families. The Competencies is currently in draft
revision, and upon final approval the draft will be reviewed by OMHSAS as a Pennsylvania Bulletin with
the goal that psychiatrists practicing in state hospitals, community health agencies, behavioral managed
care organizations, primary care & psychiatry collaborations will all become knowledgeable and skilled
in family inclusive efforts.

The Centers of Excellence fellows have begun to discuss with consumers the benefits of including families,
suggested to providers that families be scheduled into a clinic visits, have family members participate in
educational seminars, become familiar with local support group resources, made referrals to appropriate
family supports.