The Works: archive of past columns

The Works is a regular news feature apearing in the Coalition Briefs.

December 20, 2002

Work and Recovery Project Begins. The New York Work Exchange will launch the Work and Recovery Project this month, an initiative aimed at improving employment opportunities and outcomes for mental health consumers attending Continuing Day Treatment Programs (CDTPs) in New York City. Participating agencies include F.E.G.S., Fordham-Tremont Community Mental Health Center, New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Upper Manhattan Mental Health Center.

The four CDTPs will receive expert consultation and technical assistance focusing on employment and recovery-based concepts and activities. The project will be implemented in four phases over a two-year period. The phases include: site assessment, curriculum delivery, consultation to service provision and treatment planning, and follow-up support and networking. Leadership from the participating CDTPs will meet to discuss the experience, what was learned, and plan for next steps.

CR and SE Services study. Participants in the Cognitive Remediation and Supported Employment Services study will be receiving two full days of training in December by Dr. Susan McGurk from Mt. Sinai Medical School, principal investigator for the research project.

The New York Work Exchange has undertaken this study to evaluate the effects of cognitive remediation and supported employment services for consumers with mental illness. There is increasing evidence to support the view that individuals with psychiatric disabilities experience difficulties in the work setting due to cognitive impairments.

Participating New York City mental health supported employment programs will explore the feasibility and effect of offering cognitive remediation interventions in supported employment services. Participants will be using neuropsychological evaluations and computer-based interventions designed to address cognitive skills such as memory, speed in handling tasks, and problem solving.

November 21, 2002

Cognitive Remediation and Supported Employment Project Grantees. The NY Work Exchange is pleased to announce the following recipients of the Cognitive Remediation and Supported Employment Project grants: Goodwill Industries in the Bronx and Brooklyn, the Mental Health Association, and the Institute for Community Living. These exciting projects will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of combining cognitive remediation and supported employment services for mental health consumers.

This program is designed to help consumers quickly attain work and to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive remediation in helping clients in supported employment reach their work goals. To achieve these goals, a Cognitive Remediation Intervention (CRI) has been developed. The CRI consists of neuropsychological assessment, computer-based cognit ive exercises, integration of cognitive rehabilitation and supported employment services, and development of compensatory strategies for areas of cognitive weakness.

We look forward to sharing with the community the results of this innovative program. For more information about this dynamic project, contact Alysia Pascaris at 212-742-1122.

NYWE Community Presence. The New York Work Exchange was pleased to make presentations on its mission and goals to the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene's Queens Mental Health Council and Brooklyn Mental Health Council. The two November presentations were well attended and the questions were insightful as well as revealing.

Director Alysia Pascaris and Deputy Director Alan Menikoff explained the WorkExchange's mission to promote work and career opportunities for consumers of mental health services by offering expert trainings, focused technical assistance, information updates, research and evaluation and special projectsto the NYC provider community through.

The Work Exchange's innovative Program of Study, which helps inform and educate professionals and consumers with practical, skilloriented training, was described along with the curriculum. The curriculum is designed to address the knowledge and critical skills necessary to help people with mental illness acquire and sustain work.

The Work Exchange's community presence was also felt at the HireDisability Career Expo at the New Yorker Hotel on November 5. The Work Exchange staffed an exhibit booth while informing and interacting with the heavy stream of participants and job seekers. The team provided information about training programs and resources available to consumers and service providers alike. The NYWE's WORKbook, a guide to NYC's Mental Health Employment Programs, was in heavy demand.

The Career Expo was also attended by companies like Microsoft, Pitney-Bowes, and agencies like VESID, and the Social Security Administration. Also, the New York Times had a reporter present writing about this event. The event was reported in the November 10, 2002, Job Market section of the New York Times in an article by Maggie Jackson.

October 28, 2002

New VESID Manager visits New York Work Exchange. On Wednesday, October 23, the new VESID manager for NYC, William ("Bill") Ursillo, Ph.D, visited the NYWE offices to meet with a group of stakeholders from the mental health provider community. For many this was a 'get to know you meeting', at which Dr. Ursillo covered a range of important issues. His primary interest was in data-driven issues related to unmet needs. There was also some discussion about redistribution and redirection of existing funding, and other subjects associated with the recent VESID Request for Applications. Dr. Ursillo also alerted the group to a large anticipated turnover among VESID counselors: as much as 50% turnover over five years, mostly due to retirements. Despite the disruptions associated with such turnover, Dr. Ursillo also felt it was an opportunity for practice innovations within the VESID offices. Mr. Ursillo comes to his new position having worked for several years with VESID in Westchester County. In his new position he is replacing Bill Janowitz who recently retired.

Employment Support Services and Clinical Services: How do they fit together? On Thursday November 21, 2002 Susan Musante, LPCC, CPRP will once again present a workshop on integrating employment and clinical services. This program is designed for clinical and other staff committed to exploring the value of integrating employment supports and services into clinical practice for individuals with mental illness. This training will offer practitioners tools that promote consumer recovery through the support of meaningful work experiences. Among other things, participants will learn about policies, trends and the role of treatment, rehabilitation and recovery in assisting consumers in their employment goals. In addition, the workshop will focus on the range and effectiveness of employment supports and services, and benefits of integrating employment and clinical approaches. It is hoped that participants will examine individual and systemic barriers to work and strategies to help consumers overcome these barriers as well as explore ways to create a culture that supports employment and promotes integration in your organization. To register please call Deborah Short at 212.742.1122 x235 or email her at dshort@nyworkexchange.org.!