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June 22, 2007June 22, 2007

Susan Parker, MSW, MSPSusan Parker, MSW, MSP

Director of Policy and ResearchDirector of Policy and Research

Office of Disability Employment Office of Disability Employment PolicyPolicy

United States Department of Labor United States Department of Labor

202.693.7880202.693.7880

www.dol.gov/odepwww.dol.gov/odep

Mental Health and Employment:

ODEP as Coordinator and Innovator

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Mental Health and Mental Health and Employment: The Employment: The Changing LandscapeChanging Landscape

Traditional employment Traditional employment model = job training model = job training followed by job placementfollowed by job placement

Modern employment model Modern employment model = job placement followed by = job placement followed by on-the-job skills trainingon-the-job skills training

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Specific recommendations on the critical role employment plays in the recovery and community participation of people with psychiatric disabilities and mental health needs.

New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003 Report

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Employment StatisticsEmployment Statistics

In 2005, the employment rate of working-age In 2005, the employment rate of working-age (21-64) people was:(21-64) people was:

No Disability = 78.3%No Disability = 78.3%

Any Disability = 38.1%Any Disability = 38.1%

Mental Disability = 29%Mental Disability = 29%

From the 2005 Status Report on Employment for the United From the 2005 Status Report on Employment for the United States (using data from 2005 American Community Survey)States (using data from 2005 American Community Survey)

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Aging working population +

Creation of new jobs =

Increased demand for qualified employees

Reasons for Positive Reasons for Positive OutlookOutlook

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““No level or branch of government, No level or branch of government, no element of the private sector, no element of the private sector, can accomplish needed change on can accomplish needed change on its own. To transform mental its own. To transform mental health care as health care as proposed, proposed, collaboration between the collaboration between the private private and public sectors and among and public sectors and among levels of government is crucial.”levels of government is crucial.”

President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

Mental Health Transformation needs Collaboration and Coordination

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ODEP as Coordinator

Federal Partners in Mental Health Transformation – Employment Work Group

&

Department of Labor Mental

Health Work Group

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Employment Work Employment Work GroupGroup Formed in 2006 under SAMHSAFormed in 2006 under SAMHSA Role: to carry out activities Role: to carry out activities

related to related to employment as an employment as an integral part of individual integral part of individual recovery from mental illnessrecovery from mental illness and and as part of the transformation of as part of the transformation of mental health systems. mental health systems.

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Employment Work Employment Work GroupGroup

Six Federal Partner Departments

(DOL, ED, VA, HHS, SSA, DOJ) Meets monthly Chaired by ODEP Policy &

Research Director 2 Subcommittees

Employment Retention Returning Service Members with Post-

traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

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Employment Work Employment Work GroupGroup

2007 Action Plan2007 Action Plan Identify specific barriers; Identify specific barriers; Develop new resources, and publicize and Develop new resources, and publicize and

disseminate existing resources and effective disseminate existing resources and effective practices;practices;

Cross-agency “speakers bureau”;Cross-agency “speakers bureau”; Federal hiring authorities;Federal hiring authorities; ““Business case” for hiring and retaining Business case” for hiring and retaining

individuals with mental illness; and individuals with mental illness; and Hiring by private employers.Hiring by private employers.

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DOL Mental Health Work Group

Six DOL agencies (ODEP, VETS, ETA, CRC, OASP, CFCI), 15 offices

Meets monthly

Chaired by ODEP Policy & Research Director

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Activities:Activities: Identification and filling of mental health practice Identification and filling of mental health practice

knowledge gaps in DOL agenciesknowledge gaps in DOL agencies Integrate mental health into program areas that involve Integrate mental health into program areas that involve

more than one agency (e.g., homelessness)more than one agency (e.g., homelessness) Update members on mental-health related activitiesUpdate members on mental-health related activities Share ideas for incorporating mental health into Share ideas for incorporating mental health into

workshops and trainingsworkshops and trainings Bring in experts on mental health and employment Bring in experts on mental health and employment Strategize on publications, policies and programs that Strategize on publications, policies and programs that

benefit both individuals with mental health needs and benefit both individuals with mental health needs and the business communitythe business community

DOL Mental Health Work Group

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ODEP as Innovator

Returning Service Members with Post-Returning Service Members with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (through Traumatic Brain Injury (through Employment Supports Team)Employment Supports Team)

PTSD/TBI = large % of OEF/OIF VetsPTSD/TBI = large % of OEF/OIF Vets employment especially helpful in employment especially helpful in

recoveryrecovery customized employment is keycustomized employment is key Balboa Training Curriculum and Balboa Training Curriculum and

REALifelinesREALifelines

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Employment Retention (through Employment Supports Team)

Exploring opportunities in the workforce systemto help individuals obtain and retain jobs

ODEP/DOJ Retention Study for ex-offenders, focusing on those with MH concerns (much of which will be applicable to those with MH

concerns generally)

ODEP as Innovator

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Employer Team

Using Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to address mental health needs of younger workers

Mental health benefits and parity in Federal health benefits plans

Mental health friendly workplaces

Mental Health Month – May 2007

ODEP as Innovator

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Mental Health Month – May 2007

ODEP & Office of WorkLife and Benefits Programs

Congress’s 54 th annual proclamation of May as Mental Health Month

DOL events = every Wednesday in May

“Mind your health”

Live Presentations and Fairs

ODEP as Innovator

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Adult Team

Customized employment strategies (including self-employment and microenterprise development)

Development of guidance on self-Development of guidance on self-employment for front-line staff in One-employment for front-line staff in One-Stop Career CentersStop Career Centers

ODEP as Innovator

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ODEP as InnovatorYouth TeamYouth Team ““Entering the World of Work: What Youth with Entering the World of Work: What Youth with

Mental Health Needs should Know about Mental Health Needs should Know about Accommodations” Accommodations”

““Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers Development Practitioners and Policymakers serving Youth with Mental Health Needs”serving Youth with Mental Health Needs”

Research Documenting Promising Practices for Research Documenting Promising Practices for Youth with Mental Health Needs Youth with Mental Health Needs

Youth Leadership and Development SummitYouth Leadership and Development Summit