HOPE

In June , 2009, MHA-NE’s HOPE Program was awarded a three-year accreditation by CARF International.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards.  An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

 

Tips for Workers

Living WITH or WITHOUT Mental illness, Time Management is an area everyone can use help!

• Whether you are just starting your job search, or have been employed for years,Time Management techniques can greatly improve your mood, attention and success!

Time management and organization skills boil down to:

Commitment, Awareness, and Organization

• You first need to commit to keeping and developing your schedule. This means not wandering off when something more momentarily interesting occurs. Make a commitment to get things done and achieve your goals!
• You need to become aware of and record everything you're doing so that important things get done on time and nothing has a chance to sneak up on you....this will help you become organized!
• If you are just beginning your job search You must make a conscious effort to get organized! This will involve getting a planner, notebook and writing a plan to commit to following! If you are an adult with a mental health/substance abuse diagnosis and need help getting organized for your job search let us help!

Ref: Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. and Jolyn Wells-Moran, Ph.D from 2/18/2010

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=9770&cn=353

 

Sincerely

Andrea M Patterson

Employment Specialist

Attention State and Federal Benefit Recipients!

If you are a Consumer of Mental Health/Substance-Abuse Services in the Region V Provider Network and you are receiving State and/or Federal Benefits, YOU CAN go back to work!

The Hope Program and the Mental Health Association is dedicated to Empowering Consumers to Work, & Eliminating Discrimination & Stigma in the workplace against people with mental illnesses.

To learn about our Supported Employment program H.O.P.E click here

Don't Let Your Benefits be a Barrier to Your Success! 

We will work on an individualized plan to help you understand your benefits and how they will be affected once you start work!

click HERE for our list of resources for Benefits

 

 

 

Resources for Benefits Recipents

2010 Red Book For Social Security Work Incentives

Patient Assistance Programs

Ticket to work Program

Nebraska Work Incentives Network

Medicare Extra Help Part D

If you are a Mental Health Consumer in Lancaster County and would like Assistance in finding work let us help you

Sincerely,

The Hope Staff

 

Energy and Success:Time Management at Work

What Makes You Feel Exhausted or Energized?

It may seem like the same old conventional wisdom, but it's amazing how easy it is to loose sight of the importance of self-care throughout our work day!

Read this Helpful Article and Learn some Great Tips on Managing your Time and sustaining your energy!  

Best!  

A. Patterson, Employment Specialist MHA-NE

 

 

Consumer Satisfaction Survey!

Let us know how we are doing!!!

Were you, or are you a participant in the HOPE Program?

If so.....please access and complete the following survey to let  us know how we are doing!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/hopeprogramsurvey

The Hope Program, and MHA-NE is a consumer run organization, Your Honest and Open feedback is encouraged and greatly appreciated.

*** this survey is intended for past and present participants of the Hope Program, Lincoln NE for the purpose of program evaluation and improvement.

The survey will take approx 5-10 minutes to complete and you will be asked to verify your NE residency, Name, City and Zipcode.

Nebraska Workforce Development Job Link

Let Workforce Work For You!

visit http://nejoblink.nebraska.gov/ and register yourself to view the latest job openings in Lancaster County and Surrounding Areas.

Road to Recovery

 Experts increasingly acknowledge that work is the key factor in supporting mental wellness and warding off mental illness.

Employment provides 5 factors that promote mental well-being:

1. Time Structure
2. Social Contact and Affiliation
3. Collective Effort and Purpose
4. Social and Personal Identity
5. Regular Activity

For those who have suffered from such illnesses, meaningful employment is an essential part of the recovery process. Happily, new research tells us that people with behavioral health disorders can and do recover and can be a valuable contribution to the workplace!

What is Supported Employment?

Supported employment programs help people find competitive jobs, (that is, jobs that pay at least minimum wage that any person can apply for) that are based on the person’s preferences and abilities.

Supported employment is based on six principles.

1. Eligibility is based on consumer choice. No one is excluded who wants to participate.
2. Supported employment is integrated with treatment. Employment specialists coordinate plans with the treatment team: case manager, therapist, psychiatrist, etc.
3. Competitive employment is the goal. The focus is community jobs anyone can apply for that pay at least minimum wage, including part-time and full-time jobs.
4. Job search starts soon after a consumer expresses interest in working. There are no requirements for completing extensive pre-employment assessment and training, or intermediate work experiences (like prevocational work units, transitional employment, or sheltered workshops).
5. Follow-along supports are continuous. Individualized supports to maintain employment continue as long as consumers want the assistance.
6. Consumer preferences are important. Choices and decisions about work and support are individualized based on the person’s preferences, strengths, and experiences.

Qualifications:

1. Person must have a diagnosis of a behavioral health disorder.
2. Person must have a desire to work!

Consumers, family members, and advocates are well aware that people with behavioral health disorders have many talents and abilities that are often overlooked. These include the ability and motivation to work. Work is an important part of the recovery process for many consumers.

Research has shown that:

• 70% of adults with a severe mental illness desire work.
• 60% or more of adults with severe mental illness can be successful at working when using supported employment.

For many consumers the opportunity to have a regular job is an important part of their recovery process.

Supported Employment

Supported Employment is a well-defined approach to helping people with behavioral health disorders find and keep competitive employment within their communities. Supported employment programs are staffed by employment specialists who have frequent meetings with treatment providers to integrate supported employment with behavioral health services.

Referring to the HOPE Program

The Mental Health Association’s HOPE Program is currently receiving referrals through Region 5 Network Providers. All referrals will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. If you have any questions please call the HOPE Program at

402-441-4372 or 1-888-902-2822

Or by e-mail:

Kasey Moyer, Program Coordinator, Kmoyer@mha-ne.org
Kara Magdanz, Employment Specialist, Kmagdanz@mha-ne.org
Andrea Patterson, Employment Specialist, Apatterson@mha-ne.org