Raising our sites: Dissemination of supported education

In order to promote replication of supported education, an exemplary rehabi litation model for adults with psychiatric disabilities, funds were accesse d through a Community Action Grant from the Center for Mental Health Servic es of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Three communities in Michigan participated in a multistage process designed to ma ximize community ownership by encouraging local adaptations involving all s takeholder groups and providing technical assistance. The stages in the pro cess were organizing the community for supported education development, acq uiring knowledge about supported education basics, collecting information ( needs assessment and barrier identification), and developing the plan. All three sites have begun implementation, providing sen,ices to adults with ps ychiatric disabilities who wish to pursue post-secondary education. The app roach employed has applicability for other local communities.