Gandara provides services for clients of the Department of Mental Health and Department of Mental Retardation in a manner focused towards client self-determination. At the core of Gandara’s organizational value system is a philosophy of client determinism organized around innovative, linguistically and culturally sensitive supports. An empowering procedure encompasses all aspects of service delivery. A self-governing process reflecting the uniqueness of the consumer’s individuality, culture, religious beliefs and family is nurtured. Gandara is committed to providing a variety of services, resources, educational opportunities, and supports in facilitating each consumer’s self-actualization. Rehabilitation and recovery services are provided through encouraging responsibility and a sense of personal pride.

Mental Health /Mental Retardation Residential Program

The residential programs support Hispanic adults, with chronic mental illness or with delayed development. The programs are closed referrals funded by the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Mental Retardation.

Services are designed to facilitate client’s self-determination in a home-like environment. Services include an initial assessment of needs and preferences as well as daily living skills, medication self-administration, community involvement, social skills and family engagement. Clients’ are encouraged and supported to pursue there own interests. Depending on the clients’ needs, staff may provide supervision up to 24 hours per day.

Social Club Drop-in Center

This program is open to DMH-eligible clients.

Designed to be consumer-driven in governance, membership and activity creation, the program is staffed by paraprofessionals who assist consumers in developing daily living skills and incorporate these skills into healthier avenues for community integration. Education includes English as a Second Language. The program is open days, evenings and weekends.

In addition to the drop-in Social Club site, the program conducts weekly outings, such as trips to the Hispanic market in Hartford.

Community Supportive Services

The program provides community support services to 50 Department of Mental Health clients.

Gandara provides these clients with outreach and case management services. Gandara may help them find apartments, or supports in the community, which could include anything from information about social services, to transportation to medical appointments.

The program’s goal is to help clients remain in the community by providing enhancement of daily living skills, medication and money management, and monitoring, service coordination, as well as improved socialization through recreational and other group activities.