GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT WORK: “I HAVE A JOB, NOW WHAT?” Debbie Walker-Lass with Barry K, Alexis P, April C, Chris S
Strategies for individuals with MI to face and overcome economic and attitudinal barriers and increase hours and pay without F-E-A-R .
What is Supported Employment? Supported Employment (SE) is an evidence- based practice that promotes rehabilitation and return to mainstream employment for people with mental health disabilities. Evidenced-based practices for supported employment are based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model.
Summary Report: IPS Model of SE In 11 of 11 studies, SE had significantly better competitive employment outcomes than controls (other vocational interventions). Mean % across studies of consumers working competitively at some time: – 61% for Supported Employment – 23% for controls ---Bond, 2008
What is Supported Employment? Essential features include: Consumer choice & preferences are honored Access to competitive jobs Benefits counseling Timely & continuous supports ---SAMHSA 2007
F Fear of Failure April C.
Overcoming fear of Failure I am better off today because of what supported employment did for me 15 months ago…. 38 years old with at least 38 jobs and at least that number in terms of variety
Overcoming fear of Failure Self-identified pattern of mistakes leading away from success and towards failure Getting a new job, giving 200%, burnout, decompensate, quit in 90-120 days
Overcoming fear of Failure Short-term failure: Quitting work and losing income, meaning, and purpose Long-term failure: With each job, I added to the “Quit list” making it more and more difficult to become employable
Overcoming fear of Failure I excelled in school both undergraduate and graduate, but never learned life skills to get and keep a job
Overcoming fear of Failure Fear of failure feels like it can be overcome by starting over (and over!) however, beginnings are hard, take a toll, and pile on the stress, as do attempts to “prove” you are worthy over and over to employers.
Overcoming fear of Failure New jobs were like a “rush” or “temporary high” and were unsustainable.
Overcoming fear of Failure Some BHC staff made me feel as though I couldn’t go forward. I needed to get beyond the label of “consumer”
Addition of Supported Employment: I did not really know how to keep a job until connected to SE: I learned to slow down, look at my options, focus on what I wanted and needed to do to sustain employment
Addition of Supported Employment: Assessment process and assignment of a Job Coach was a human and humane experience I believed them when they told me it was possible to work more than a few months with support, even though I didn’t know how I would do it at the time.
Addition of Supported Employment: Job coach assisted with identifying a good job match, applications, interviewing, scheduling, and transportation options Support at the office, on the phone, at home, at work-ongoing support available and accessible Sometimes I leave messages just to share feelings and experiences
Overcoming fear of Failure CPS training, GAO training Length of time at current job: 16 months Future is open, new opportunities- own car, own apartment What’s Next? SUCCESS
E Fear of Economic Calamity Alexis P.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity K now yourself, who you are, and who you want to be.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity A dmit that you have a problem.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity L isten to your inner thoughts and act on them .
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity L isten to your core group of relatives and friends.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity A llow “strangers” to help/assist you.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity D evelop a plan for your future well-being and health.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity I mplement “ your ” plan and follow it every day.
Overcoming fear of Economic Calamity P at yourself on the back as you recover and… R e-take control of your life.
A Fear of Attitudes (Yours and Others) Barry K.
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Started in MH residential program Lived independently in own apartment. Worked 50 to 55 hours week as a truck driver. …then I loss my job
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Couldn’t pay rent, church helped pay rent Worked 6 months and quit. Fear of not working
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Residential Supervisor for MH asked me to agree to not work for 6 months and go to MICA program at Day Treatment. Moved to Residential Housing Applied for Social Security Disability
Overcoming fear of Attitudes I had to work through my fears of not working, not being able to pay rent, not supporting myself
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Going back to work Part-time Keeping my benefits Moving into my own apartment Getting a new job with the support of the Residential Supervisor
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Going back to work Full-time Supervisor said I would not make it. Then, I received a promotion
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Following the rules and getting off Social Security
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Starting a new career at WORKTEC
Overcoming fear of Attitudes Success and Longevity on the job God works in mysterious ways.
R Fear of Repercussions Chris S.
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Fear of making too much money is a real repercussion that many people with a disability struggle with.
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Wanting to be independent, yet needing the security and stability of Social Security
Overcoming fear of Repercussions How it began… Getting my diagnosis Taking my meds How it affected my work In and out of the hospital Trying to maintain a job
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Case worker, Debbie convinced me to work, and I started receiving disability
Overcoming fear of Repercussions The benefits of receiving I did not receive a lot of money but I was able to stabilize my life.
Overcoming fear of Repercussions New Opportunities I was appointed to the Community Service Board I was elected to Vice Chairman of the Board.
Overcoming fear of Repercussions I had a setback… Took too much lithium Hospitalized for the last time in 1999
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Starting anew… New work Opportunity Moved to Atlanta Started at WORKTEC with the help of Debbie. Jobs with purpose and responsibility
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Dealing with Social Security Going over the dollar limit They threatened to cut off my check
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Receiving support from my Supported Employment family at WORKTEC Working with my schedule and my hours to not go over and not have conflicts with Disability.
Overcoming fear of Repercussions Success Completing my 10 th year at WORKTEC
Overcoming fear of Repercussions I consider myself a “Walking Miracle” “I’m living a happy and stable life In my own residence.”
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