Program Description

Recovery thru Integration, Support & Empowerment (RISE) is one of five divisions within the University of Arizona's Department of Family and Community Medicine. RISE is directed by Beth C. Stoneking, Ph.D. bstoneki@u.arizona.edu and currently employs 23 full time employees.

Description of the program that will use the performance standards:

Personalized Employment Resources (PER) is one of several programs within RISE. PER is committed to assisting adults with a serious mental illness in securing competitive employment in the community in a position that reflects individual vocational strengths and personal choice.

Work has great therapeutic value and often provides:

• Increased personal income
• Expanded social roles to include that of "worker"
• Greater exposure to natural supports (at work and in the community)
• Structure and meaning in life
• Opportunity to gain health insurance and other benefits

Services are provided emphasizing the following principles:

• A person diagnosed with a mental illness is always a person first
• No one can do the work of recovery for another person
• Consumers are the experts in their own recovery process
• Professionals facilitate recovery, but recovery can occur without them
• Recovery is not a linear process
• Recovery can occur with symptoms still present
• People who recover have people who stand by them and believe in them
• People who recover are people who take responsibility for their own actions

While there are many supported employment programs, PER is a supportive employment program. We provide numerous vocational services including:

• Engagement: Establishing a positive relationship between staff and consumer that focuses on shared goals, support, empowerment and encouragement is of primary importance. Specific approaches to the engagement process are individually tailored to meet the varying needs of the consumers. PER staff have been trained to encourage mutuality and build trust with consumers. Engagement takes place in individual, team or group settings.

• Alternative Interventions: PER staff and consumers co-facilitate alternative classes or provide individual supports to enhance individuals' growth and progress, or to minimize or prevent setbacks in their lives. Wellness Recovery Action Planning classes (WRAP by Mary Ellen Copeland) are used as a vehicle to assist individuals with mental illness and dual diagnosis to develop a daily maintenance plan, identify triggers, early warning signs, what breaking down looks like & what to do, and to develop a crisis plan. The identification of supports is an important part of this process. Visualization, meditation, guided imagery and relaxation techniques are other alternative interventions available.

• Assessment: Staff members conduct an assessment focusing on the individual's strengths and personal choices. Interest inventories, functional assessment, informal testing and personal interviews all contribute to the overall assessment of strengths and limitations.

• Vocational Exploration: Staff members assist consumers in developing their vocational goals. On an individual or group basis, consumers are encouraged to investigate employment opportunities. Staff provide educational information, support, and guidance as each person works toward clarifying work-related values, prioritizing needs and resources, learning about the impact of employment on benefits/entitlements, and assessing personal skills and behaviors.

• Supported Education: Many consumers desire to complete a previously interrupted educational goal. For those consumers who do not qualify for scholarships and support through the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation program, PER can provide tuition assistance and on-going support throughout their educational journey.

• Work Adjustment: Assistance is offered towards re-entering the workforce by teaching and/or reviewing elements of basic work skills, good work performance, and appropriate work behaviors. Vocational skills discussed include personal hygiene, attendance, concentration, communication skills, conflict resolution skills and problem solving skills. Staff members work with individuals to develop self-confidence, self-control, work tolerances, and interpersonal skills.

• Job Development and Placement: The PER program utilizes the Individual Placement model, rather than the rapid and repeated placement approach. Staff members work with their clients to identify individual strengths, goals, and choices. Every effort is made to match and place a consumer in a fulfilling position that will provide the opportunity for increased self-esteem, greater independence and economic advancement. Our Employment Specialists meet individually with consumers to identify transferable/marketable skills, conduct job market analyses, complete labor market surveys and interface with prospective employers. In addition, an Employment Specialist co-facilitates our Job Seekers Club with a consumer to provide a supportive group setting for skill building and peer interaction.

• Supported Employment (Job Coaching): The PER team provides job coaching, on and off-site skills training, and supportive counseling, employer education regarding psychiatric disabilities, assistance in obtaining reasonable job accommodations, and other supports that assist a consumer in maintaining paid employment on an individualized basis. In a group setting, the job coach co-facilitates our Job Keepers Club with a consumer to provide a supportive, peer interactive setting for skill retention and encouragement. Job coaches are mobile, flexible and supportive. Given that only about 20% of our consumers choose to disclose their disability to their employers, the job coach will maintain confidentiality and work with consumers to meet their vocational needs without jeopardizing the expressed wish of the consumer.

• Extended Supported Employment: PER staff provides ongoing support as needed, long after a consumer has secured employment. Job coaches will continue to work with consumers to retain their employment as long as the consumer needs support.

Consumers referred to PER may receive assistance in any or all of the following areas:

• Identifying/Clarifying Vocational Goals
• Job Readiness
• Resume Writing
• Employment Application Completion
• Interviewing Skills
• Searching for/Developing Appropriate Jobs
• Job Placement
• Job Coaching: on and/or off the Job Training
• Benefits Counseling
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning
• Visualization, Guided Imagery, Relaxation, and guided Meditation

About the Program Staff:
The PER program is managed by Laurie Groombridge, M.S., C.R.C., C.B.C, who is supported by a full time administrative assistant.

PER staff consists of five Employment Specialists who work with individuals through engagement and by developing a relationship grounded in trust, needs assessment, skill development, and by assisting individuals in locating satisfying employment.