About

History of PRS, Inc.

 

The Beginning

Originally known as The Social Center, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services grew from very simple and humble beginnings. PRS' history is, at its core, a story almost half a century long permeated throughout with the often illusive and immeasurable quality called "hope."

During the 1950s and 60's, dramatic changes took place in how society perceived and the medical establishment treated serious mental illness. The discovery of new and effective psychotropic medications during this period led to a deinstitutionalization movement and thousands of former mental patients were released from hospitals, often to homelessness. Concerned community organizations realized the vital need for community-based mental health services to help close the gap between hospital and community life.

In 1963, one of these organizations, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Association, instituted a social program to assist recently discharged patients from Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA. They envisioned a social activity that could help provide "a bridge back into the community." A young woman, Vera Mellen, took on the responsibility of developing the program, which grew quickly with government assistance and transitional funding from the Service League of Northern Virginia (now the Junior League of Northern Virginia). During program social activities, described as "cards, crafts, and conversation," members also discussed individual goals and identified their needs for housing, entitlements, friends, jobs, and transportation-the same types of services needed by today's clients.

From the beginning, the program was defined as a "clubhouse" where members could be more than just patients in a clinic. Participating in and helping with clubhouse activities developed their self-confidence and taught them skills, and, more importantly, instilled a sense of belonging, a sense of being needed and wanted. Goal setting was encouraged, and members' willingness to risk setting goals for themselves and to ask for help in reaching those goals became the essence of their psychiatric rehabilitation.

Expansion

On June 11, 1970, the program was incorporated in Virginia as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and was officially named The Social Center. One of the first actions of the new 12-member Board of Directors was to open its first satellite program in Mt. Vernon. In 1974, a third center opened in the Springfield area, and the two satellite programs later combined in 1982 in a Fairfax South County facility. The program Vera Mellen had originally designed to serve fewer than a dozen individuals, with one staff member and a handful of volunteers, had, by late 1974, grown to an agency serving over 300 individuals throughout the region, with a professional staff of 18.

In March, 1983, as the program had evolved and become more comprehensive and professional, the Board of Directors decided to change the name from The Social Center to The Social Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, known more informally as The Social Rehab Center. By 1989, the agency was providing a range of rehabilitative services including vocational, educational, case management, recreational and other services to over 400 individuals. Over the 25 years since the inception of the agency, the community came to realize that psychosocial rehabilitation did help members live more productive and satisfying lives. In addition, community leaders recognized that expenses for repeated hospitalization, emergency room care, unemployment and homelessness had fallen dramatically as a result. In 1992, with the support of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB), the agency opened another center, the Reston-Faraday Clubhouse, based on the famous New York City "Fountain House Model."

"Securing the Future"

In 1994, as a result of shrinking county budget support, and increased demands for program service, the Board endorsed an ambitious effort to broaden the agency's base of support. This agency-wide effort, known as "Securing the Future," encompassed the adoption of new Mission, Vision and Values statements developed with participation from Board, staff, family, community and client representatives. Pursuits initiated at that time are still major efforts today, including a planned giving program, a direct mail "Friendship Campaign" appeal, affiliation with the United Way of the National Capital Area, the highly successful annual Kentucky Derby Party, the volunteer Friends Committee, and a continuous examination and improvement of the agency's strategic plan.

In conjunction with this overhaul, once again the Board changed the agency's name, this time to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. This name more accurately reflects the ever-changing scope and nature of program activities that revolve around providing community-based support and skills training in housing, jobs, education, professional growth, community support, transportation, recreation, advocacy and other needs common to people recovering from mental illness.

In 1998, founder Vera Mellen retired after 35 years, and Wendy Gradison was hired to replace her. Having come to understand the dire need for PRS' services during her tenure as Director of PRS' Reston Center, Wendy continues to focus program efforts toward clients' successful integration into the community as PRS' President and CEO.  In 2006, PRS served close to 700 individuals, and 95% of those served were not re-hospitalized.

Today and the Future

Today, the fastest-growing components of PRS services include the residential and employment components. Over a hundred people take advantage of PRS' residential services every year, and in 2002 PRS Willow Lane opened. PRS Willow Lane is a seven-person, permanent residence, providing an around-the-clock staffed environment for clients who need intensive support to reintegrate into the community. In employment services, PRS helps almost 200 individuals find and keep jobs every year. With the help of their employment specialists at PRS, a remarkable 60% of those who are employed retain employment for 12 months.

Unfortunately, PRS still has work to do. An estimated 44,000 Fairfax County residents have a serious mental illness, the majority of whom are not receiving treatment. Our goal is to continue to reach out to the underserved and extend the PRS recipe for success.