Presented by Working Wonders in Coos County Cathy

Presented by Working Wonders in Coos County… Cathy Pennington and Janis Bejare May 6, 2015

“Shared Lived Experiences” “Stress is from the inside out. It can happen anywhere. Because of my mental illness, I forget things sometimes and imagine things that aren’t true. All my energy is drained, trying to do the work right. When you get support, it gives you a boost” “In my past, I have been able to find work on my own but could never hold down a job for more than a day or two, I always knew that working would help my self esteem but every time I tried it, I didn’t want to go back the next day. I would stay home with my depression. ” “Staying home is so hard on me. Like the walls closing in on me. I would have worked for free just to have a reason to get out. ” What do all these individuals have in common? All struggle with mental illness. All express a desire to work. All identify the need for support to find and maintain a job.

I am a new employee who offers peer support at the SHAMA House and with Working Wonders Participants. I work for the Mental Health Association of SW Oregon in North Bend, Oregon. I also work for OSECE to help with the Oregon Peer Collaborative. � � � Since I was hired in in February of 2015, my role has been Help SHAMA members plan meals, develop relationships, become more involved, consider work. We concentrate on daily management and key resources. Provide social and emotional support through empathetic listening and encouragement to help consumers cope with social and emotional barriers. Co-facilitate classes: Peer Support, Food Handler Certification, Driver’s Ed and Typing Assist with intake of consumers into Supported Employment services Interview peers to draw out success work stories Participate with the National IPS Peer Workgroup, a monthly conference call Co-facilitated a conference call to the Family Advocacy Group to discuss ways families can help in each of the eight principles of IPS Supported Employment Attend a team meeting with Voc Rehab to learn service integration strategies Participate in the Coos Health and Wellness Advisory Board Brainstormed with SE team members on a job description for a Peer Employment Specialist I am still learning about IPS Supported Employment and the Peer Movement and will be taking a class to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist and/or Peer Employment Specialist.

Introduction In 2013, a peer leader designated by the Mental Health Association of SW Oregon began working with the Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence to help integrate the growing peer movement with Supported Employment. Initial Focus Areas of the Collaborative � Presentations on IPS Supported Employment � Face to Face with peer leaders to strategize on integration � Encourage participation in statewide and nationwide collaborative � Invite peer leaders to the Annual SE Conference in September 2014

2013 – 2014 ACTION STEPS � We contacted peer run organizations (PROs) in Oregon � We developed a contact list of peer leaders � We conducted a survey requesting information about each PRO � We asked if they were knowledgeable about Supported Employment (SE) � We offered to provide technical assistance to integrate SE into their PRO � We determined seven sites in Oregon that were interested � We provided 13 peer scholarships to the Annual SE Conference for 2014 � We provided a peer delivered presentation at the 2014 SE Conference

2015 NEXT STEPS � Provide a monthly Statewide conference call with PROs in Oregon to continue education about SE and collaboration with peers. � Identify at least one more PRO in Oregon and provide TA � Invite peers to join a monthly Nationwide IPS Advocate Conference Call � Define ways that peers can participate in the fidelity process of SE programs � Support peer involvement in Annual IPS Statewide Convention being held in Bend on September 16 th and 17 th, 2015

The Johnson & Johnson – Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program, also known as the IPS Learning Collaborative, established the IPS Peer Advocate Project in May, 2013. Most states in the IPS Learning Collaborative nominated one advocate to attend the Johnson & Johnson – Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program Annual Meeting as a kickoff for the project. Group members met in person during that meeting and again during the 2014 Annual Meeting. Participants include peers who are members of their state IPS supported employment fidelity teams, peers providing supported employment services via peer run programs, peers receiving IPS supported employment services and state IPS team members interested in expanding the role of peers in IPS implementation efforts. Peggy Swarbrick, Director of the New Jersey Wellness Institute facilitates monthly conference calls to develop ways to bring peers into IPS Supported Employment. Conference call topics have included: � Sharing models, ideas and resources on how to expand the peer role in IPS Services � In March, we practiced sharing employment narratives as a marketing tool to show value to IPS Services � In April, we will explore the peer role during the IPS Fidelity Review Process

� ZERO EXCLUSION Peer Advocates can demonstrate to another consumer that they can be successful by being emotionally supportive during contemplation or engagement stage. Peer Advocates can help sort out mixed messages a peer may be receiving at home or from a care provider. Examples of mixed messages: “You are not earning your keep, you should get a job ~ You can’t work because you are mentally ill. ” “You need to get out of the house! ~ You need to stay home and help out. ” “You should earn your own money ~ We can’t afford taxes on the wage you would earn. ” “You can’t be trusted to do things by yourself, just like a baby ~ Why can’t you grow up? ” � COMPETITIVE JOBS ARE THE GOAL Peer Advocates can help a consumer not to feel invisible by focusing on strengths and skills. Peer Advocates can help think about places where these qualities are needed. Where there is skill to match the need, there is a financial value to the employer. � PERSONALIZED BENEFIT PLANNING IS PROVIDED Peer Advocates can reduce fear to the consumer by intercepting uneducated comments about benefits and working. Peer Advocates can encourage education through a benefit planner.

� IPS SERVICE IS INTEGRATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT TEAM Peer Advocates can observe the consumer on a regular basis and encourage them to talk with a peer or professional when dealing with anxiety, circumstances or a change in symptoms or behaviors. Peer Advocates can collaborate on individualized needs during job search or follow along planning. � JOB SEARCH STARTS SOON AFTER A PERSON EXPRESSES INTEREST IN WORKING Peer Advocates understand that every person has an inherent gift, something to contribute. More than encouragement, action steps are vital. Peer Advocates can help with transportation to SE services, support at home when feeling ambivalent, help with improving grooming, getting up on time, resting, eating healthy, returning phone calls. � EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS BASED UPON THEIR CLIENTS’ WORK PREFERENCES Peer Advocates can help supply references, work histories and preferences.

� INDIVIDUAL JOB SUPPORTS ARE TIME UNLIMITED Peer Advocates make a commitment of support to consumers on a long term basis even if there are failures. Advocates can focus on small successes as equally as big ones. Advocates can attend employment celebrations to spread the feeling of hope. � CLIENT PREFERENCES ARE HONORED Peer Advocates will keep an open mind. Advocates can help a consumer bring to light their preference in some of the following areas: Job types, social culture, location, time of day, physical demands, length of hours

Cathy Pennington Cathy has worked as the Director of the Mental Health Association of SW Oregon in Coos County for 12 years. She oversees the SHAMA House PRO and administers the Working Wonders SE Program. In collaboration with David Bertapelle, a co-founder of the non-profit, MHASWO has always believed that peer-delivered services and SE belong together. Although consumers can engage in one service without the other, the emphasis is always in getting consumers more involved in their own life and educating peers about work as a powerful recovery tool available to them with ongoing support. Janis Bejare Janis has taken medication for 20 years since diagnosed with clinical Depression and is a living example of the ability to work while dealing with mental illness. At an early age, she felt abandoned by her family as they were always away working. Before her senior year in high school, she took a job at a restaurant. She then served in the US Navy for many years working in cleaning and office. Eventually, Janis went to vocational school to learn medical transcription and ultimately went to work for 14 years in this field. In addition, she attended night school working towards an associate of art and general studies degree. Janis has private insurance and therefore was not eligible for Supported Employment through our county however she is learning that more consumers who qualify may take advantage of the SE opportunity through her peer leadership and shared experiences.