History of PAPRS

The Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PAPRS) has been intricately involved in the development of the field of psychiatric rehabilitation nationally and within Pennsylvania. Our organization was established in 1988 as the Pennsylvania Association of PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Services (PAPSRS), a chapter of the International Association of PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS).  Many leaders in PA helped to establish IAPSRS in the mid-1970s.  Read more at PRA History. The national organization is now called the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, or PRA. These organizations emphasized improving and promoting the practice and outcomes of psychiatric rehabilitation.

 During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the deinstitutionalization movement focused on supporting people with serious psychiatric conditions to live in the community instead of in hospitals and psychiatric institutions. Psychiatric rehabilitation services in the community emphasized helping people with psychiatric conditions to develop skills and supports to live, learn, work, and socialize in the community. In 1979, the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University was funded by a federal grant as the first Rehabilitation Research and Training Center in Mental Health directed by Dr. William Anthony. Over the past 40 years, the Center has developed the psychiatric rehabilitation approach also known as the Choose-Get-Keep approach or the BU Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. This approach is one of the models of psychiatric rehabilitation services written into PA Chapter 5230 state regulations approved in 2013. Included in Chapter 5230 regulations are requirements for psychiatric rehabilitation staff to have the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential promoted by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. In 2021, Pennsylvania is recognized as the state with the largest number of CPRPs.

 The mission of PAPRS today is to advance the practice of psychiatric rehabilitation to assist people with behavioral health experiences in achieving success and satisfaction in meaningful life roles.  Our vision is that PAPRS, as a national leader in psychiatric rehabilitation, inspires, develops, and promotes the ability of all individuals to achieve their life goals. We are the premier resource for recovery and resiliency-based learning through education, advocacy, and networking.  For more information on our conference history, please see the conference menu tab for a list of recent PAPRS conferences and Keynotes, and a list of past PAPRS Distinguished Service Award winners. 

PAPRS Board Officers - Historical List