EARNING A LIVING: WORK, MENTAL ILLNESS AND RECOVERY
Johnson & Johnson-Dartmouth Family Advocacy Project for IPS
Supported EmploymentNAMI NATIONAL
September 5, 2014Presenter
Michael J. Cohen, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center
Family Advocacy Team Project
IPS Learning Collaborative: Resources from J& J Corporate Contributions supports Dartmouth (PRC) bringing together key stakeholders: DMH, VR, NAMI Affiliates and Consumer Organizations
Each Family Team works within the NAMI Affiliate and with DMH and VR to: expand and improve family understanding of IPS; promote collaboration with local CMHCs and educate communities
Family Teams advocate for policies and financing which improve access to and implementation of high quality IPS throughout the State Mental Health and VR Service Systems.
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Participating NAMI Affiliates
» Colorado Connecticut» Washington DC Alameda County
» Oregon Missouri» Maryland North Carolina» Kansas South Carolina
» Minnesota Illinois» Vermont Wisconsin
» Kentucky Ohio
What Families Say…..
• “I feel that employment is critical to help my son cope better in society. Next to a cure for his illness, work has as much impact as anything.”
• “My son has been working for about four years. I see improvement in mixing with people and I see some independence. Best of all, he is earning money to spend as he pleases”
Dartmouth PRC 25
Recovery & IPS-
Supported Employmen
t
Holistic
Peer Support Non-
Linear
Strength-Based
Responsibility
Empowerment
Person Centered
Self-Direction
Hope
Respect
Work fulfills a human need along with health, relationships, housing and spirituality
Work fosters hope and motivation for a better future
People actively participate in goal setting, job finding and maintaining work
Treatment and services are based on each individual’s goals
People make decisions about job type and setting
People have the right to choose their supports and participate in work decisions
Job and school transitions are supported as part of career development
Services align with strengths, talents, skills and preferences
Peers share personal stories about work, school and recovery to benefit others
Competitive employment builds confidence and self-respect
Is Work Too Stressful?
As compared to what?
“If you think work is stressful, try
unemployment”*
*Marone & Golowka, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 1999
Highlights of IPS Advocacy Team Progress
• Since 2008 16 family teams coordinated by NAMI affiliates work with state MH/VR teams as part of the J&J Learning Collaborative; Level of current activity is variable
• Since 2008- 6000+ people have participated in an educational program or heard a family testimonial on the goals and benefits of IPS.
• Advocacy by teams in IL, OR, MN, WI, KY, Alameda County have had success expanding funding for and the number of IPS programs
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Progress at NAMI National
• NAMI National promotes need for employment resources for active military and veterans and a stronger VA-NAMI partnership
• With help and encouragement from families in the collaborative, NAMI National Policy Team issues report: Road to Recovery: Employment and Mental Illness, 2014
Family Employment Team ActivitiesPresentations at local mental health
agencies to break down communication barriers and improve trust; serve on IPS Steering Committees
Collaborate with DMH/VR staff to improve quality of IPS Supported Employment; Fidelity Reviewers
Educate families to increase involvement in employment activities to improve care coordination and help loved ones attain employment goals
Educate community about the family interest in work and its benefits to recovery (confront stigma)
Advocate policy makers to improve access to high fidelity IPS
BENEFITS TO NAMI AFFILIATES• Part of a National Learning Community
facilitated by Dartmouth PRC has given an “ascribed status” to the organizations
• New, knowledgeable NAMI members joined affiliates based on a common advocacy issue
• Potential new leadership pool is created• New roles for family members in the CMHC
and VR systems• Another opportunity for the family voice in
your community • New friends in the legislature working on
common interests and agenda
Checklist for Getting Started
• Leadership-champion within NAMI Affiliate
• Programmatic capacity of the NAMI organization to take on the project
• Clear and understandable action plan • Team membership, roles and functioning • Working relationship between the with
NAMI state affiliate (family team), state mental health authority and VR leadership
• Collaborative relationship with IPS State Team and Dartmouth PRC; materials and consultation
Summary• Employment is a vehicle for recovery.• Families have a role helping to promote
recovery by advocating for access to high fidelity IPS supported employment.
• Family Advocacy Teams are equal partners in the Dartmouth-J&J Collaborative to educate and advocate for IPS
• A focus on a specific advocacy issue-IPS-has increased the number of volunteers into the NAMI family and grown the advocacy capacity of the NAMI Affiliates
• Affiliates are strengthen by their connection with the Dartmouth-J&J Project Collaborative
Contact Information
Michael J. Cohen, MA,CAGS (603) 496-1657
http://www.dartmouthips.org