Our Hidden Workforce

World of Work Business Advisory Councila project of Behavioral Health Services North in cooperation with MHANYS through an OMH

initiative

A partnership among businesses, our local mental health organization and consumers in order to reduce the

unemployment rate in NYS.

Who We Are

Why We Are

Mission: The goal of this initiative is to increase the rate of hire and retention of qualified workers living with a mental health diagnosis.

Do You Find It Hardto Find Qualified

Workers?In 2005, Site Selection magazine selected Plattsburgh as #4 in the top 100 US small cities for commercial industrial growth*

1. Statesville, NC

2. Traverse City, MI

3. Cullman, AL

4. Plattsburgh, NY and Hutchinson, KS

*new or expanded facilities

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

Take this quiz to see how you do! MYTH OR FACT?

1. People with mental illness are often violent.

MYTHPeople with a mental illness are much more likely

to be victims of violence than its cause.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

2. People with a mental illness can pull themselves out of it.

MYTHA mental illness is not a personal weakness - nor

can it be cured by personal strength. Proper treatment is needed.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

3. A mental illness may be a lifelong condition.

FACTFor some people, a mental illness may be a

lifelong condition, like diabetes. But, as with diabetes, proper treatment enables many people with mental illness to lead fulfilling lives.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

4. A person with bipolar disorder has periods of normal energy and feelings.

FACTA person with bipolar disorder has periods of

manic behavior (lots of energy, wild behavior, racing thoughts), normal energy and feelings, as well as depression. Each period may last days or months.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

5. Anxiety disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dementia (like

Alzheimer's Disease) and eating disorders are common mental illnesses.

FACTThese disorders as well as phobias, general

anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorders, personality disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders are all common mental illnesses.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

6. People with mental illnesses need to be hospitalized.

MYTHMost people with mental illnesses are treated as

outpatients. However, for some, hospitalization is an effective part of a treatment plan.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

7. A mental illness is a health condition, much like heart disease or diabetes.

FACTThere are many causes of mental illness

including birth trauma, chemical imbalances in the brain, early childhood trauma, and other biological, environmental, social and cultural factors.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS?

8. People with mental illnesses cannot be a productive part of society.

MYTHRight here in Clinton County, people diagnosed

with a mental illness are returning to the world of work through supported employment programs, feeling good about themselves, what they do and are contributing members of our economic growth. They are many of the valuable employees in our workforce.

So Where Can You Look?

Fact

20% of the population has a diagnosable mental disorder

in any given year (Surgeon General’s Report 2000).

Untapped Workforcein Clinton County

Pool of potential workers willing to work for you!

Why is this an untapped pool of job seekers?

• S T I G M A

• Consumers have not had the community support to enter the workforce

• Lack of knowledge regarding mental illness

Expand Your Knowledge! Mental Health Facts

• Up to 30% of the US population has a mental health disorder, substance abuse disorder or both

• Mental Illness is NOT a Full-Time Job

Source: National Mental Health Association

Mental health problems can occur at any age.

“Before I had bipolar disorder, I was an electrical engineer. Manic depression did not take that away from me - I still have that knowledge, those skills,

and that experience.”

Mental Illness is not a Full-Time Job

“Work is about daily meaning as well as daily bread.”

- Studs Terkel

Work gives people a sense of belonging and community...a network of friends and colleagues.

Goal: Employment & Retention

of Clinton County’s untapped work force

Linkages in our community:

Recruiting methods

Pool of Consumers Self-linked Your

Community Family Business

Resources Unlimited

Our objective is to strengthen the links

How will we do that?

Our Council will facilitate the identification of consumers wanting to work

Our Council will identify businesses with the potential to offer them jobs.

“Consumers” with training

Jobs identified by the Council

Business

Community

Barriers to Hiring

• Gaps in the resume• Fear of disclosure – by the employee• Disclosure – frightens the employer• Other STIGMA myths:

“This person is crazy” “They’re weak”“I can’t count on them”

FACT

You’re always taking a chance when you’re

hiring someone for a job

Benefits of Hiring through the Council

Through Supported Employment an applicant has already been pre-

screened and is job-ready

What is Supported Employment?

• 2 assessments: VESID and Resources Unlimited

• Your potential employee is prepared for the World of Work:

Career interests are identifiedMock interviewDress for Success

• Job coach available to the employer until employee AND the employer are comfortable with their relationship – and the coach will be available as necessary.

Benefits to Employers

• Job tryouts (VESID -Vocational & Educational Services to Individuals with Disabilities)

• On the Job Training• 90-day Internships (VESID)

• Continuous Support for the Employer

• Short-term skills training (computer courses, etc)

• Tax Credits

Advantages of earning NYS Tax Credits

• No limit to the number of hires• Employers decide whom to hire• Minimal paperwork to claim tax

credit• Employers assist job seekers most

in need of employment

So Who Might Be My Potential Employees?

These employees are recovering – just like those with any illness

They have a plan – and they work it!

180 Current Employersuse Supported EmploymentAnthony’s Evergreen Valley Nursing Home

Applebee’s Hospice PCSBattat Lindsey’s Price ChopperB H S N Lowe’s Primelink CCL Plastics Macro Sam’s ClubClinton County Nursing Home Sears Council on the Arts Meadowbrook Nursing HomeCVPH Medical Center PACTIV Sodexho Dollar Store P A R C Wal * Mart

W O W

World of Work Business Advisory

Council

The next time you’re looking for aQualified, Skilled Employee,

think of us!

Y O U can join our Council!!

Susan Aley John Linney Marguerite Adelman John MasellaBarbie Bezio Marilee MintzerBonnie Black Jaimie MarzulloGrace Fader Barbara

Copeland PerryRocky Harfield Kelly St. Clair Mary Krakowski Terri WinterbottomGinny Larabee Barb Zelinski

WOW Business Advisory Councila project of Behavioral Health Services North in cooperation with MHANYS through an OMH initiative