Employment

I Want To Be...

Washington State Employment Initiative Project video, "I Want To Be" (WMV 17 min) shows that people living with mental illness can successfully transition into the workforce, be productive and valued employees, and experience job satisfaction.

Supported employment

Our continuous effort to increase the rate of employment for consumers in Clark County is reflected in our involvement in advocating for and implementation of the Supported Employment in State Government. We have increased the number of participants from Clark County in the Consumer-To-Providers Training Program. We have advocated for the Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program, which helps people with disabilities to return to work without fear of losing Medicaid benefits. We are very pleased to learn that this policy is now implemented. These actions reflect our belief that every person deserves the opportunity to work and be productive and contribute to the fabric of our society.

Another significant effort in the move toward a recovery-oriented system is the re-design of the Children's System of Care to include the various elements of service that reflect the continuum of services. Provider agencies are to provide services and interventions that are strength-based and promote recovery principles and values. We implemented Individualized
and Tailored Care and wrap-around teams as state-of-the-art services.

We recognize consumers and families as equal partners in developing a quality system. Consumers and families are the driving force in moving the vision of recovery forward in our community. The RSN is supportive of their participation in decision-making processes at all levels. The RSN is supportive of the delivery of services by consumers and family members, such as the operation of the Drop-in-Center and Warm Line at Consumer Voices Are Born and the Community Empowerment Project.

The work toward recovery is shared by all our mental health providers, consumers, family members, advocates, Mental Health Advisory Board, Quality Review Team, RSN staff and other governmental agencies. We will continue our effort to provide high quality mental health services through collaboration with our partners in the community. We ask that the community work with us to raise community awareness that recovery is possible and to assist CCRSN in establishing a more comprehensive, efficient, and integrated system of mental health service delivery that enables consumers to improve work opportunities, achieve their hopes and dreams, and to more fully engage in community life.

Recovery Works

The Clark County Regional Support Network has embarked on a Performance Improvement Project to increase the rate of employment for individuals living with mental illness.  The project, entitled, "Recovery Works in Clark County," has a three-pronged approach that includes outreach and education for employers, mental health clinicians, and individuals.

As of July 2008, only 12% of people receiving mental heal services funded through the Clark County Regional Support Network were reported to be working full-time or part-time.  The national employment rate for people with mental illness is 22%.  Research suggests that unemployment is harmful to mental and physical well-being and even decreases life expectancy.  Employment is one of the best tools available to aide in mental health recovery; it provides an opportunity for people to utilize their skills and talents and contribute to their community in a meaningful way.

Quarterly Employment Awards

Do you know someone who contributes their skills and talents to our community through employment despite challenges with mental health? What about a local business that offers employment opportunities to individuals with mental illness?  Or a Vocational Specialist, Job Developer, or other professional supporting individuals with their employment goals?

Recognize them with an employee or employer award nomination!  One employee, one employer, and one employment professional will be recognized each quarter in 2009.  Award recipients will be honored at a Mental Health Advisory Board meeting and will be announced in various newsletters and meetings. 

Online nomination forms:
Employee nomination form 
Employer nomination form
Professional nomination form

Printable nomination forms:
Employee nomination form (PDF-46K)
Employer nomination form (PDF-46K)
Professional nomination form (PDF-45K)

Purpose
The Employment Awards recognize:

• People who are contributing their skills and talents to our community through employment despite facing challenges with their mental health
• Businesses and organizations that make substantial efforts to employ individuals with a history of mental illness
• Vocational Specialists, Job Developers and other professionals who support individuals with a history of mental illness with their employment goals

Eligibility
Nominations may be submitted for the following categories:

• A Clark County resident who self-identifies as a person living with a mental illness and is also employed
• A Clark County business which makes an effort to employ one or more individuals with a mental illness
• A professional working in Clark County to support the employment goals of individuals living with mental illness

Recognition
Recipients of the awards will be honored at a Mental Health Advisory Board meeting as well as announced in various newsletters and meetings.

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