AMI, Inc. of Washington-Greene Counties is a non-profit agency that provides social and psychiatric rehabilitation to adults recovering from mental illness.            

During the past 20 years, de-institutionalization of people from state mental hospitals has created a need for support services to help them develop the skills and supports needed to live successful and satisfied lives in the community.

BENEFITS . . .

AMI, INC. benefits the community as well as the consumers. The cost to taxpayers for community support services for people recovering from mental illness is less than the cost of institutionalization or hospitalization. 

Consumers who use community support services such as AMI, Inc. lead more fulfilling lives and often make valuable contributions to their communities.

Volunteers have been critical to the success of AMI, Inc. Local groups generously provide holiday gifts, refreshments and special treats for AMI, Inc. consumers. Individuals share special skills, provide entertainment, teach crafts, assist staff with scheduled activities and serve as board members.

AMI, Inc. always welcomes volunteers who want to share their skills, talents and time. If you are interested, please contact the agency at either location.

If you have a family member or friend who could benefit from the service AMI, Inc. provides, please contact us.                                

Admissions, the provisions of services and referrals shall be made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age or sex. Program services shall be made accessible to eligible persons with disabilities through the most practical and economically feasible methods available.

  THE HISTORY OF AMI, INC. OF

WASHINGTON-GREENE COUNTIES 

Late in 1969, the local Mental Health Association organized a social group for people who were returning to the community from the state hospitals.  The group grew from an original five members who met on Friday evenings, to the present program, which averages 120 active members in Washington and Greene Counties.  In 1973, the Washington-Greene MH/MR Program recognized the need and effectiveness of AMI’s. services and agreed to fund the program on a fee-for-service basis.    In 1976, AMI incorporated as AMI, Inc. of Washington-Greene Counties and continued to grow in membership and activities.  AMI, Inc. moved to larger quarters in late 1984 in anticipation of beginning a new program for the young, non-institutionalized adults with severe and persistent mental illness.  The original overall goal of the AMI, Inc. program was to be a bridge for the persons discharged from the state hospitals to full independent living in the community.  As the program has developed, diversity in the membership has become apparent.  In the past several years, a new group of potential members has emerged as a result of mental health services in the community and the shortening or absence of state hospital treatment for people with chronic mental illness.  These younger consumers present a new set of challenges to the mental health system.

In response to those challenges, AMI began to make changes within its program as follows; In 1989 AMI offered more structured activities with included scheduled group times and calendar planning with an emphasis on hygiene and grooming. In 1994, AMI began speaking with consumers about the community support system and offering additional groups such as, basic math, reading, writing, exercise, coping skills, quarterly assessment and satisfaction surveys.  Then in 1999 a transformation in the Mental Health services began to happen with the introduction of Psychiatric rehabilitation and a move from a medical model of treatment to a person center, individualized, Recovery oriented model.  AMI began to prepare for a psychiatric rehabilitation program. In March 2002 Psych Rehab was implemented and Staff began to receive the training required to become certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners.  In October 2005, AMI received its first license from the Department of Public Welfare and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services to provide “Psych Rehab” services.