Recovery Empowerment Network Supported Employment Services for Serious Mental Illness Catches Eye of Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care
Phoenix, Ariz. (PRWEB) July 27, 2016 -- Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care recently chose Recovery Empowerment Network to help dramatically expand supported employment services for members with serious mental illness who want to work. Supported employment offers personalized coaching to help members thrive in a competitive labor market.
“Meaningful employment is an important part of the recovery process for people with serious mental illness,” said REN CEO Gaye Tolman. “Our experience mirrors research that shows people with SMI want to work and with proper support can find and keep meaningful jobs.”
The supported employment program practices zero exclusion. Any Mercy Maricopa member with a SMI designation who wants to work is qualified for employment support and on-going job coaching.
In just two months, REN’s supported employment program has moved three members into the job market, and 10 people with SMI designations are in the pipeline for competitive employment.
REN is one of seven providers under contract with Mercy Maricopa, the regional behavioral health authority for Maricopa County, to expand supported employment services to hundreds of additional adult SMI members. But REN, which offers a unique peer-delivered program, is the only supported employment services provider that is a community service agency. That difference could play a significant role in delivering the right type of service to members when and where it’s needed.
While other supported employment service programs typically are co-located within a provider network organization clinic, REN’s approach is more community based. Employment services are delivered where the member needs them. That could be in the home or at a coffee shop, in the evenings or on the weekend. This allows greater capacity, more flexibility and a broader scope of outreach.
REN’s supported employment program builds upon the complement of job-skill components developed in its well-known recovery support training and supported volunteering programs. The program offers a variety of employment supports, including exploration of job opportunities, time management, on-site training for job tasks, and identifying barriers to competitive work, such as transportation and childcare.
REN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community service agency. Recovery specialists guide members through the state healthcare systems and provide training and resources for individuals to integrate into their communities. This model of individualized supportive environment sets REN apart from traditional treatment programs, leading to self-directed recovery, greater personal independence and overall wellness.
Supported employment orientation is held from 1p.m to 2 p.m. every Thursday at REN, 212 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix, 85012. More information about REN and supported employment is available at http://www.renaz.org.
Karl Gentles, [email protected], +1 (602) 920-1808, [email protected]
Share this article