CASRA | History | Mission | Staff | Contact Us

Started in 1969, CASRA has consistently been on the forefront of providing and developing innovative responses to the needs of adults with psychiatric disabilities. CASRA member agencies serve over 75,000 Californians annually and were among the first in the nation to develop a system of community-based residential treatment alternatives to institutional care. CASRA played a significant role in developing licensing regulations and was instrumental in setting standards for the California Department of Mental Health certification of residential treatment programs.

• In 1978, CASRA sponsored the Community Residential Treatment System Act that created over 200 residential treatment, vocational and socialization programs throughout California. This seminal piece of legislation was the first in California to encourage the hiring of persons with mental disabilities as staff.
  

• In 1984, CASRA sponsored legislation extending mental health insurance reimbursement to residential treatment programs.
  

• In 1985, CASRA helped draft the Community Support System for Homeless Mentally Disabled Persons and the Community Vocational Rehabilitation System Acts.
  

• In 1990-92, CASRA helped author the California Master Mental Health Plan, the rehabilitation option amendment to the federal Medicaid plan and the legislation which realigned the manner in which local mental health services are administered and funded.
  

• In 1992-96, CASRA contributed to the development of the first national registry for social rehabilitation practitioners.
  

• In 1999, CASRA completed an extensive review of the literature regarding the need for changes to statutes governing involuntary commitment. Based upon the literature review, an examination of what is allowable under current California statues, and in recognition of the lack of voluntary services, CASRA voted to oppose expansion of involuntary treatment laws.
  

• In 2002, CASRA produced a Curriculum for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner. The Curriculum is used for in-service training, for certificate and associate degrees programs at the community college level and is being adapted for use in bachelor and masters degree social work programs.

• In 2004, CASRA joins mental health consumers, family members and other progressive providers to promote passage of Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, thus codifying into State law the ideals and values which CASRA programs have worked to bring to the mainstream of mental health policy and practice.

• In 2005, CASRA introduces the Social Rehabilitation Review (and comment), a semi-annual newsletter featuring organizational highlights, federal and state public policy issues, innovative program development and best practices in workforce training and development.

• In 2006, CASRA develops the Train the Trainer course and Consumers and Family Members as Providers…Realizing the Possibilities: A Guide for Readiness Assessment and Planning. 

• In 2007, CASRA develops and adopts the Principles of a Culture-Centered Approach to Recovery recognizing that discussions of recovery must be grounded in the principles of cultural competence and the importance of recognizing various worldviews. The Human Resource Committee of the CA Mental Health Planning Council contracts with CASRA to develop Standards for Recovery-Oriented Trainings to ensure that training and education is based upon best practices and reinforces core values in the field.

• Also in 2007, CASRA produces "Developing Systems & Services that Support People in Wellness & Recovery: A Primer for Holding Informed Discussions." The Primer is about transforming the public mental health system from treating symptoms to enhancing the quality of life of persons living with serious mental health issues.

• In 2008, CASRA launches the CASRA On-Line Institute, Classroom and Learning Community in partnership with Essential Learning. Eventually, 60-hours of on-line learning will be offered in psychosocial rehabilitation, a culture-centered approach to mental health recovery practice.