The CSP Principles were developed in 1977 by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) workgroup that investigated model programs around the country to identify best practices for fostering recovery among individuals with serious mental illness.

Out of these model programs, the workgroup took the common and innovative practices they found that supported recovery and individual dignity and crafted them into the 8 CSP Principles. These principles are used as the foundation of how to look at the planning and development of services to encourage a recovery based practices in services and supports.

The Principles are:

Person-Centered / Person-Empowered
Services are based upon the needs of the individual in order to make informed decisions to live happy
and healthy lives.

Culturally Competent
Services are sensitive, respectful, and responsive to racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identities of
individuals and families.

Designed to Meet Individual Needs
Services are designed to meet individual needs of persons affected by factors such as age, substance
use, physical or intellectual disabilities, homelessness or houselessness, or criminal justice system
involvement.

Community-Based / Natural Supports
Services are provided in the most supportive and inclusive manner. Individuals are encouraged to use
natural supports and integrate into the living, working, learning, and leisure activities of the
community.

Flexible
Services are designed to allow people to move in and out of the system and within the system as
needed.

Coordinated
Treatment services and supports are coordinated on both the local system level and on an individual
basis in order to reduce fragmentation and to improve efficiency and effectiveness with service
delivery. Coordination is driven by the needs of the individual and includes collaboration with
families, advocates, and professionals at every level of the system of care.

Accountable
Service providers are accountable to the users of services and include individuals and families in
planning, development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluating services.

Strengths Based
Services build upon an individual’s strengths and values to empower their recovery and encourage
each person to maintain a sense of identity, self-esteem, and dignity.

Please see our other pages on the Community Support System and the CSP History for more information on where the CSP principles came from and how they are used.