Overview of the National Presentation
Topic: WORK AS A PRIORITY
Moderator: Gary Shaheen, Advocates for Human Potential
Presenters: Jim Winarski, Advocates for Human Potential
Miriam Kravitz, Esq. EMPATH Consulting, Inc.
Thomas Finch, Ph.D. Rehabilitation Services Administration (Invited)
John Rio, Corporation for Supportive Housing
Gene Oulvey, Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services
David Feehan, International Downtown Association
Melinda Bussino, Brattleboro Area Drop-in Center
Linda Steinman, Project Hospitality, Staten Island, NY
Date: May 21, 2002 (Tuesday) 2:00-4:00 P.M, Eastern Daylight Time
Abstract: This national presentation will provide concepts, practical strategies, and approaches to providing employment options for people who are homeless and have mental illnesses, or co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use issues.
Concepts to be presented include:
�� A Recovery-Based Foundation for Employment
�� The Impact of Co-Occurring Disabilities on Work
�� The Housing/Jobs Connection-What Works
�� A Range of Employment Program Approaches and Best Practices
�� Working with Your State Vocational Rehabilitation Authority
�� Partnerships and Collaborations
Work as a Priority, A Resource for Employing People Who Have a Serious Mental Illness Who Are Homeless (Work as a Priority) will referenced throughout the call and is now available in draft form for download at http://www.nrchmi.com/pdfs/WorkAsPriorityNoPics.pdf
Featured Presenters:
Gary Shaheen is the Director for Employment Program Development at AHP. He has conducted employment training and program development technical assistance nationally and internationally, and is the senior editor of Work as a Priority.
Jim Winarski is Director for Homeless Programs at AHP. He provides training and program development consultation. He also works with state and federal government substance abuse and mental health agencies to guide policy and program development for people with co-occurring disabilities, including those who are homeless.
Miriam Kravitz is the founder and former Director of InCube, an internationally-known consumer operated agency helping people with mental illnesses establish their own businesses. As Director of EMPATH Consulting, Inc., she works with consumer groups, mental health providers and government agencies on ways to facilitate recovery and economic self-sufficiency.
Thomas Finch, Ph.D. is Director of the Office of Special Projects and Demonstrations for the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Dr. Finch’s office is responsible for establishing new programs that address unemployment among people with disabilities and/or disadvantages through creative partnerships with businesses and industry.
John Rio is the Director for National Employment Initiatives for the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Inc. He conducts training and provides technical assistance for supportive housing providers on employment initiatives.
Gene Oulvey, PhD. is Psychiatric and Mental Health Coordinator for the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services. He has overseen the implementation of numerous partnerships joining vocational rehabilitation, mental health programs and employment services. He also is the primary author of the chapter on “Working with Your State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency” in the Work as a Priority resource guide.
David Feehan is the Executive Director of the International Downtown Association (IDA). The IDA provides support and technical assistance to business improvement districts and other downtown agencies throughout the country and internationally. Mr. Feehan will address how homeless and mental health services providers can establish mutually beneficial relationships with downtown organizations to enhance services for people who are homeless, including help with creating new job opportunities.
Melinda Bussino is the Director of the Brattleboro, Vermont Area Drop-In Center. The Center is a PATH funded provider in their second year of a demonstration project with the Vermont Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to engage, place and support people with mental illnesses who are homeless, in jobs.
Linda Steinman is Director of Rehabilitation and Recovery Services at Project Hospitality in Staten Island, NY. Project Hospitality is a PATH funded provider that provides help with housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and, more recently, employment services for people with mental illnesses who are homeless.