Posted by Melanie Lewis on January 22, 2001 at 14:53:31:
An excerpt from the:
Planning Council Discussion List
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Here at NAMHPAC central we are wondering about work incentives and the ticket to work program.
It would be helpful for us to have a sense of the questions that planning councils have about these two fairly new initiatives.
We would also like to know what your state is doing to support competitive employment for persons with psychiatric disabilities and what role the planning council is playing in these efforts, if any.
Please feel free to share any other thoughts about successful employment.
Charles Ingoglia
Executive Director
National Association of Mental Health
Planning and Advisory Councils
703.684.5968 - fax
www.namhpac.org
RESPONSES
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Alabama
The Alabama Mental Illness Planning Council set aside some of the increased block grant amount specifically for statewide training on these new initiatives once they have been finalized. Any information/advice on who would be considered an expert, and who is up-to-date on these initiatives would be greatly appreciated.
While there appear to be some changes in the trial work period amount and related regulations on the existing programs, we were under the impression that the new ticket to work program would introduce significant changes in the way consumers can access training and/or work experiences without jeopardizing important benefits (e.g. Medicaid/Medicare). Our planning council is very interested in NEW ways to pursue employment opportunities since the traditional methods have not been very successful nor desirable. Greg Carlson
Idaho
We received a work incentive grant here in Idaho. Staff have been hired. The program is just getting under way. Roy Sargeant has more details than I. Linda Hatzenbuehler.
Iowa
We have an employment program going and a group called CEO has an Advisory Council and consumers involved with the planning. CEO has not made a formal presentation to our Planning Council but I am certain they would if asked. I think all of us are very aware of their activities. Margaret Stout
New Mexico
In New Mexico the Council has had a subcommittee for supported employment for over 2 years. It is composed of agencies, consumers and advocates from all around the state and they meet every other month. Also, a position with the Dept. of Health has been in place with a focus on employment. During the last two years the Council has had many reports from these two to keep up informed of the changes. Because we are such a poor state with high unemployment - this has been an important topic. A portion of our Block Grant increase last year was used as a supported employment initiative. Carol Luna Anderson
Tennessee
We have an employment subcommittee that has recently been initiated as distinct from the adult services committee. They have not yet addressed the full council, but will in the near future. Sita Diehl
Virginia
Early this year I shared some e-mails about the TWWIIA. Then I took materials to the Adult Services subcommittee in July. In August the matter was to be reported to the Council but the Committee was not given opportunity to report on it. In September the Council acting on the report that not much was doing requested staff to report. In November there was a report that something was happening. In January the Department of Rehabilitation Services asked the President of the Council to have the Council co-sponsor a meeting in February about TWWIIA. The Exec. Committee was surveyed and two members said to go ahead. The Exec. Committee. invited the staff to address the Council about it at its January meeting on the 9th. The presentation was informative and revealed that a working group that did not include anyone from MH had been convened for several months. No advocacy organization, local provider, or state agency has applied for the funds to provide information and assistance in re TWWIIA.
The Council has added to its members Ray Bridge who was the force behind the Laurie Mitchell Employment Center, which is a consumer run program with real cultural diversity. To its credit, it has been able to work with the system, while meeting needs the system does not seem to be able to comprehend nor satisfy. Bill Yolton
Wyoming
In Wyoming, we have had recent presentations to the Council about these initiatives, and are planning more for the Spring meeting. In addition, presentations were made at our Consumer Conference last fall.
Many of our Mental Health Centers are working very hard to provide competitive employment opportunities according to a "Place and Train" model developed and supported by a broad stakeholder group. This effort is supported by recent state agency efforts to resolve litigation against our mental health system. Planning Council members were involved in the stakeholder group.
We would be happy to poll the Council at the Spring Meeting for their questions and thoughts as to their role in these efforts. Marilyn Patton