Supported Employment

Supported Employment assists those who are in need to find and/or maintain employment, while helping the person make informed choices about work. Supported Employment is a well-researched approach that helps people who have a disability, mental illness, and/or substance abuse, as well as ex-felons, to explore and succeed at competitive work. Evidence shows that people who use Supported Employment are more likely to find jobs sooner and keep jobs longer. We assist people....

• Help create resumes

• Interview skill building

• Assistance with applications

• Research of jobs and ideas for careers

• On-site and off-site job coaching

• Locate employers who are hiring

• Staying connected to available and up-and-coming community resources

The Employment Specialist will spend time getting to know the person, their work history, and their strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, and work goals. 

The Employment Specialist will work at the person's pace because there is no requirement to be ready to work only a desire to work someday. 

To be considered for employment support, a person must meet 1 of each section and must have active Medicaid Insurance. 

1. Enrolled in the state Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) or Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) program 

OR Substance use diagnosis 

OR Mental health diagnosis 

OR Needs assistance with 3 or more activities of daily living determined by a Comprehensive Assessment and Resource Evaluation (CARE) assessment

2. At risk for deterioration of mental health or substance use due to 1 or more persistent/chronic risk factors such as, but not limited to, poverty, homelessness, or lack of social supports. 

OR Dysfunction in role performance, such as but not limited to struggling in work or school, difficulty with daily living, self care, or self direction. 

OR Substance use treatment 

OR Inability to maintain employment from age, physical disability. Must be determined by a (CARE) assessment

OR Unable to be gainfully employed for more than 90 days due to mental health physical impairment (must be result of HEN/ABD program evaluation)