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PERMANENT ART EXHIBIT OPENS AT
FOCUS ON FRIENDS
On Thursday, April 26, Focus on Friends held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a permanent art exhibit at their location. The artwork was produced during the “Art of Hope” workshop for participants touched by mental illness. Artwork was framed through a grant by Findlay Service League.
Focus on Friends is a drop-in center for individuals affected by mental illness and is a service funded in part by local levy funds from the Hancock Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services. The exhibit can be viewed during Focus on Friends open hours.
For more information about this exhibit or about other mental health services call Gary Bright at Century Health, 419-425-5050.
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Supported Employment
An Evidence-Based Practice
It Works !
Research shows that 60 to 70 percent of people with severe mental illness want to work. Traditionally, vocational rehabilitation services would be called upon to meet the needs of mental health consumers, but services only proved to be 21 percent effective. Supported Employment (SE) was developed to maximize successful job placements and the evidence speaks for itself. Fifty-eight (58) percent of people receiving SE services (nationally) are employed in competitive jobs.
Century Health embraced this evidenced-based practice in 2004, and although it remains small in size, SE is providing desired results. Fifty-two (52) consumers who receive case management services are actively engaged in supported employment and 25 are currently working in competitive jobs. There are certain core principles that make the SE model different from other vocational programs. These principles are:
1.Rapid job search – Consumer’s desire is taken seriously and in a timely fashion. There are no prerequisites to complete.
2.A competitive job is the goal – job categories vary from industry to industry. Consumers choose the work environment that best fits their interests.
3.Employment is integrated with mental health services – employment specialist meets weekly with treatment team.
4.Time unlimited support – jobs transitions are seen as learning experiences. Follow-along services vary from person to person. As long as the consumer expresses a need services are provided.
5.Personalized benefits planning – rumors/misinformation about negative impacts on benefits are dissolved and a thorough assessment is provided by a third-party agency who specializes in benefits planning.
6.Zero Exclusion Policy – symptoms or work history are not barriers to services. All consumers who want to work are eligible.
7.Consumer Preferences are Important – employment specialists help each consumer identify personal strengths, skills, interests and goals. Level of engagement is also set by the consumer.
Century Health employs a vocational specialist and a peer support specialist who attend regular treatment team meetings with other staff involved with the consumer to ensure shared decision making and continuity of care for the consumer.
For more information on Supported Employment, please contact Landon Dunn at 419-425-5050 or visit www.ohioseccoe.case.edu
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month !
Keep an eye/ ear out for more info on upcoming events including a fun event being planned at Coffee Amici in downtown Findlay!
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“Hope Radiates” by Pati Powell
With special thanks to local artists
Phil Sudgen and Ann Reddy-Damon
for presenting the “Art of Hope” workshop.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING ?
First and Third Tuesday of each month - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meeting 7 p.m. 509 Trenton Ave. (Focus on Friends)
Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month – DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance meeting 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (2330 S. Main St.)
Every Thursday – Parent’s Night Out 6 p.m. at the YMCA. FREE child care.
First and Third Thursday each month – Caregivers Support Group 6:30 – 8 p.m. St Andrew’s Church in the parlor room. For the care of the elderly.
Second Monday of each month – Living Through Loss 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Parlor
Fourth Thursday of each month – PALS – for those affected by a loved one’s suicide – 7 p.m. 2nd Floor Ruse Building at BVRHC.
OPEN AA meetings – Pioneer Club 221 E. Pine St. – Sunday 10:30 am. and noon; Monday noon, Tuesday 8:30 am.; Wednesday noon and 8 p.m.; Friday noon; Saturday noon and 9 p.m. Holy Family Catholic Church 115 E. Cherry St. – Tuesday 8:30 p.m.
NA meetings – Pioneer Club 221 E. Pine St. - Sunday 2 p.m.; Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Friday 7 p.m.
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