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The Center for Living and Learning Nashville is a private, non-profit residential and vocational program for persons who have experienced severe and persistent mental illness.  It's purpose is to create a restorative environment for these individuals in a community setting by responding to the total range of their needs.  Twenty-four hour supervision by trained staff is provided to assist residents.  A multi-faceted horticulture vocational training program is offered to residents and to non-residents of CLLN, and is affiliated with Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation.

                                                        History

The Center for Living and Learning was founded in 1987 by The Lackey Family in an effort to provide a recuperative environment for their brother Donald.  Suffering with chronic schizophrenia, Donald had been in several treatment programs across the country without any long-term success.  His family decided to start a program close to home to develop a setting for his recovery.  They decided to allow Donald to become a study patient for the then experimental drug Clozaril.  Donald began to show marked improvement.  While his condition and management needs were stabilizing, licensure and staff were pursued for CLLN to become a formal residential treatment facility.  In 1988, CLLN officially began to accept other residents into the program.  In 1992, CLLN added a multifaceted horticultural vocational program to provide job training.  Today Center for Living and Learning Nashville is an ideal environment for the recovery and reintegration of persons needing a holistic treatment approach for their illness.

Program

Our overall program encompasses the "biopsychosocial model" and is affiliated with the leading national and international specialists involved in ongoing research in the mental health field.   The primary thrust of the daily program is helping each resident develop a sense of responsibility with gradual movement toward the highest level of independent functioning possible. Emphasis is placed on improving basic living and social skills.  Residents are consistently encouraged to develop and pursue their individual talents and interests.


 Philosophy

Fundamental to the program's success is:

  • The belief in the potential productivity of the most severe psychiatric client

  • A belief that work, whatever form it may take, is a deeply generative and regenerative force and a key component for future independent living

  • The multi-disciplinary approach which addresses the biological, psychological and social needs of the residents

  • The unique design which envisions a community in which the staff and residents all work together, developing an appreciation for each person's unique contributions to the household.  A place where each member will feel that he/she is valued and needed, to fulfill certain responsibilities to make their environment run smoothly

Referral Sources

  • Hospitals

  • Mental Health Centers

  • Social Service Agencies

  • Private Clinicians/Physicians

  • Parent/Guardian

  • TN Vocational Rehabilitation

  • NAMI

  • Local School System (persons under 18 in Horticulture Program only)

Location

A serene 30-acre farm on Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin, Tennessee, approximately 45 minutes from downtown Nashville.

Licensed By

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for eight residents as a supportive living facility.

Agency Member: