“The division recognizes that options in sustained employment are very closely intertwined with education, training and instruction,” said Lynn Kovich, Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “There is no question that getting, and keeping, a job can positively impact clients’ recovery efforts.”
DMHAS, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), provides supported employment services for individuals with mental illness or co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders in each county.
On average, between 950 and 1,000 individuals receive SE services at any given time, leading about 60% of them to find employment. Participants review their job preferences, receive individualized development training and support for their job searches, and develop a work plan that provides support on and off the job site.
The Division also provides supported education in 11 counties with the LEARN program, which assists consumers who may have discontinued high school or college because of their illness. Participants in LEARN can receive information and consultation, assistance with enrollment & financial aid, selection of courses, and support while enrolled. About 245 of the 1,000 LEARN participants were enrolled in college last year.
DMHAS is using federal Employment Development Initiative grants to provide wellness coaching for consumers who also have physical and medical issues including obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Through the grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) and the National Association of State Mental Health Directors, program staff learn how to encourage consumers to address physical and medical issues that may impede employment.
Other consumer employment preparation/preservation programs supported by the DMHAS include:
• Consumer Connections, a nationally recognized program that recruits, trains, and supports consumers of mental health services to become providers of mental health services.
• Community Support Services (CSS), which provide services and supports to assist the client in achieving mental health rehabilitative and recovery goals as identified in the client’s individualized rehabilitation plan; including housing, employment, education and independent living.
• Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) are designed to assist consumers in their recovery by helping them gain access to needed mental health, medical, social, educational, vocational, housing and other services and resources needed to successfully integrate into the community.
