NAMI CWEP Presentation

The Community Work Experience Program:Collaborating for Successful Employment

Presenters: Anna Soderman, Peckham Employment SpecialistMike Mahaffey, Peckham Employment SpecialistAntonio Kelley, CEI CMH Peer Support Specialist

Goals of This PresentationWhat is CWEP?Which agencies are involved? What can CWEP do for me? How can I get involved?

CWEP History• Started in 1985 as a partnership

between MRS, CMH, and Peckham.

• In 1991, CWEP received the JM Foundation Award for Community Based Vocational Treatment.

• CWEP served 61 total clients in 2011-2012.

Research Says…Supported Employment should be an

evidenced based practice (Bond, et al., 2001)A 1997 review of six programs showed that

Supported Employment (SE) was better at helping people with mental illness find and keep jobs than traditional vocational services.

Other research shows that SE can expect about 57% of active clientele to find employment (Becker, Drake, & Bond, 2011)

Who is Involved in CWEP?

◦ Employment Specialists provide job placement services: interview preparation, job development, resume development, disability disclosure, etc.

◦ Also provide 90 days of follow up after employment to help clients keep their jobs.

Who is Involved in CWEP (cont.)?

Michigan Rehabilitation Services State Agency who works with individuals

and employers to help people with disabilities find employment.

Funds and oversees the Community Work Experience Program.

Who is involved in CWEP (cont.)?

CEI Community Mental Health• Case Managers refer interested clients to CMH

Vocational Specialist.

• Vocational Specialist introduces client to CWEP team, who works to meet client employment goals.

Employment!

The First 90 Days• Peckham Employment Specialists work to make

sure the transition to employment goes smoothly.

• CWEP team (Peckham, CMH, MRS) maintains contact to ensure client needs are met.

• MRS can provide some support for needed items before client’s first paycheck.

After 90 Days of Employment◦ MRS closes the client’s case, but CMH and

Peckham keep the case open for further support.

◦ Peckham provides one year of maintenance support to help client maintain the job.

◦ Clients can come back to CWEP if there is a job loss due to disability.

Challenges to EmploymentRecurring symptoms of mental illness

Long gaps in employment history

Substance abuse

Criminal Records

Antonio Kelley: Employment Success

Taking InitiativeMotivation to WorkThe CWEP ProcessChallengesBenefits of Working with CWEP

How Do I Get Involved?

Are you a CMH client interested in employment? CWEP can help! Contact your Case Manager and ask about

CWEP.

Once Referred You will meet with the entire CWEP team. Start working with an Employment Specialist Start meeting your employment goals!

What If I Am Not a CMH Client?Michigan Rehabilitation Services can

help!

Go to www.michigan.gov/mrs to find a MRS office near you.

For Further Information

Contact Peckham Employment Specialists:

Anna Soderman(517) 492-5569asoderman@peckham.org

Mike Mahaffey(517) 492-5568mmahaffey@peckham.org

Questions?