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Volume 6, Issue 2 May 2015
Employment Services 1202 Morena Blvd., Suite 201
San Diego, CA 92110
Main: 619-276-8071 Fax: 619-276-3542
Employment Services provides assistance and support to people with mental illness in securing meaningful and sustaining regular part-time and full-time jobs of their choice. The program focuses and builds on the client’s strengths and abilities. Another important element of the program is learning how to manage symptoms that may interfere with finding and keeping a job.
Employment Services is funded by the Department of Rehabilitation and County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency
Work WORKS! Employment Services Newsletter
Inside this issue:
ES Dedication Poem , MHS to the Rescue & WRAP for Em-ployment Success ........... 1 GCFLearnFree.org.. ........ 2 WRAP cont. & A Troubled Past, Current Success…..3 Employment Services in Action & Kicking Bad Habits……………………...4 ES Staff Bios……..…..5 & 6
Dedication Poem to Employment Services
“Thank you for all you
have done for me”
Mental Health Systems
What can I say? Continuously helping people
Day after day.
Such welcoming people Showing they care.
As you prepare to start working They are always there!
Lifting your spirits
And confidence too, A constant guide To a better you.
Mock interviews
And groups galore Healing what’s broke
So you can soar.
There is no judging You can be who you are, No matter your disability
You are still a star!
Show us a smile And dress to impress,
You do your part, And we’ll do the rest!
Written By: D.D. April 2015
Mental Health Systems Donators Come to the Rescue ! Donating to Mental Health Systems helps all MHS programs when an urgent need arises. Employment Services computers were in big trouble when Mi-crosoft no longer supported XP. Yikes! Our job seekers and staff were facing a serious concern of having our ES com-puters become infected with malware or viruses if computers were not updated with at least Windows 7. Another MHS agency, Courage to Call, came to the rescue by transferring some of their computers to ES. And with an immedi-ate response to our request, MHS Presi-dent, Kim Bond, CFO, Michael Hawkey and COO, Wendy Broughton approved the purchase of seven new computers! THANK YOU Mental Health Systems and to all the generous donators we have throughout our local community and State. You have once again helped us “Improve many Lives!”
______________________________
Taken from HHSA-BHS Research
Bulletin Spring 2015
“In the Spotlight Perspectives of Individuals with Mental Illness on the
Usefulness of WRAP Strategies for Employment Success”
Over the past year, Dr. Marjorie F. Olney and Debbie Flores, both from San Diego State University's MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, complet-ed a study with assistance from Kay Masaryk, Program Manager of Men-tal Health Systems – Employment Services. Continued on page 3
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Home Office: 9465 Farnham Street, San Diego, CA 92123
P (858) 573-2600 F (858) 573-2602
mhsinc.org
The Commission on Ac-creditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) an-nounced that Mental Health Systems (MHS), Employ-ment Services program has been accredited for a period of three years for its Com-munity Employment Ser-vices for “Job Development, and Job Supports.” The lat-est accreditation (November 2014) is the sixth consecu-tive three-year accreditation that the international accred-iting body has awarded to MHS, Employment Ser-vices. This decision represents the highest level of accredita-tion that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substan-tial conformance to the CARF standards.
GCFLearnFree.org
Have the Freedom to Learn What You Want, When You Want
Submitted by Ray Zambo, ES
Want one place to go to learn many of the skills needed to be successful on the job and in life? GCFLearnFree.org can help you learn the essential skills you need to live and work in the 21st century. From Microsoft Office and email to reading, math, and more. GCFLearnFree.org offers 125 tutorials, including more than 1,100 les-sons, videos, and interactives. Just go to www.gcflearnfree.org
Here’s a synopsis of some of the topics you could learn:
Computer Software: Basic Work Skills:
Work Related Skills:
Job Searching Techniques:
Microsoft Office Suite: (Word, Ex-cel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
Typing Windows: (8, 7, XP)
How to Fill out a Timesheet
Completing I-9 and W-4 Forms
Organizing Your Desk
How to Read a Timecard
Math Reading Counting Money Giving Change
Increase Your Job Success
Time Man-agement
Setting Goals
Business Eti-quette
Listening Skills
Avoiding Work Relat-ed Pitfalls
Workplace Communica-tion
Coping with Stress and Anger
Resolving Workplace Conflicts
Increasing Workplace Success
How to Fill out an Appli-cation
Resume Tips
Cover Letter Guidelines
Interviewing Skills
Networking
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A Troubled Past, A Current Success Submitted by Ray Zambo, ES & Markov Manalo, RSA
Recently, Employment Services was fortunate and honored to have a past client,
Markov Manalo, now working for Recovery Innovations, come and speak to current
clients on how to propel ones self in looking for work. Markov touched on what employ-
ers are looking for in their workforce; good critical thinking, good communication and good collaboration. At times, some
individuals with mental challenges who are looking for work often find they can't seem to move forward, they find their bar-
riers too overwhelming, almost like they're always walking in lead boots. This phenomenon, what Markov calls "being
stuck," prevents one from being successful, in work and in life. Markov was gracious enough to share his personal story…
"I love the work I do and the field I’m in. But there were years, if not decades, of un- and underemployment, and I can look
back on the many times and places where I felt stuck. Part of the reason I was stuck was because I viewed my past with
regret and speculation, in thinking what might have been, and what “should” have been. In talking about this tendency, a
Cormac McCarthy character says “You are at a cross in the road and here you think to choose. But there is no choosing.
There is only accepting. The choosing was done long ago.”
Acknowledging that some things were in and of the past gave me hope. So did realizing that what I could change and
choose was the way I viewed the past. My harsh and earlier self-criticisms did not move me forward. Instead, they ce-
mented me to a past that had no path to the ever moving present.
What I used to see as errors of judgment or, even worse, as flaws of character, could be reframed in a more gentle and
effective perspective. In some ways, my earlier choices and behaviors could be seen as coping mechanisms, ways I act-
ed in order to survive. When I did that, I could then decide if holding on to them fit with the path of my choosing.
By getting unstuck from my past, I found a present and a future that is and will be full of movement and momentum."
Thank you Markov for all you do for MHS Employment Services!
Continued from page 1
Perspectives of Individuals with Mental Illness on the Usefulness of WRAP Strategies for Employment Success….
Using systematic, qualitative methods, the researchers interviewed 10 former participants of Employment Ser-vices who were either gainfully employed, or had been employed for a minimum of 90 days. Participants were selected who had completed the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) course, an eight-week exploration of coping strategies for managing symptoms of mental illness offered in the San Diego area by Recovery Innova-tions, prior to employment. The efficacy of WRAP in daily living had previously been investigated, but WRAP's role in employment success had not. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of WRAP strategies in maintaining gainful employment for adults with mental illness. Four distinct themes emerged from the study: (1) Then and now: Participants consistently talked about the quality of their lives before and after taking the WRAP class, noting how the strategies they had learned had helped them in many aspects of life. (2) Strate-gies for wellness: Participants discussed how they had gained management of their psychiatric symptoms and new social supports through WRAP. (3) Toward employment success: 8 of 10 individuals were employed at the time of the study and several had maintained employment over a period of years. They all discussed the role of WRAP in their success. (4) Interface with professionals: Participants noted that psychiatrists and thera-pists had not directed them toward self-help techniques, nor had they referred them to classes like WRAP. Conclusion: WRAP and perhaps other self-management techniques had a positive impact on the ability of these individuals with mental illness to be successful in employment. WRAP also appeared to help widen their social circle and make them more self-reliant.
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At the 2015 NAMI Walk (L-R) Tanya Booth, Helen Ravanelli, Kay Masaryk, Liz Magana, April Longhurst &
Wendy Broughton, MHS COO
Kicking Bad Habits and Developing Healthy Ones... Submitted by Skyler Samaniego, ES
Adapted from an article by Daniele O’Connell on livestrong.com
Doctor Visits Get to your doctor for your annual physical just to make sure everything is as it should be. If you have insur-ance, usually these services are covered, so take full advantage of your benefits. That being said, know your own body so that you are aware when something seems awry. Do breast or testicular self-exams, and get sus-picious moles checked out. Get exams regularly even if you are healthy, so that if and when something is ab-normal, you know about it and can take action, in conjunction with your doctor. Getting Enough Sleep Sleep affects our physical and mental health tremendously, and many of us do not get enough. Lack of sleep adversely affects metabolism, mood, concentration, memory, motor skills, stress hormones and even the im-mune system and cardiovascular health. Sleep allows the body to heal, repair and rejuvenate itself in a way it simply cannot when a person is awake. Exercise Even if you just get out for a walk a few times a week, exercise is important for being fit and healthy. Cardio-vascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart and lungs, strength training helps to strengthen the muscles and stretching helps to reduce the risk of injury by increasing flexibility. Exercise also improves circulation and body awareness, and regular exercise can help combat depression. Eating Healthy Get as many fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet as possible and make them the main part of your overall diet. Include lean sources of protein such as poultry, fish, tofu and beans. Eat balanced meals and do not overeat. Stop eating before you become completely full and give yourself a chance to digest your food. Snack on whole foods such as fruit, vegetables and nuts. Avoid highly processed foods that contain artificial sweeteners or colors, hidden sugars or excessive fat.
More to come on being healthy in our next issue...
Employment Services and Partners in Action
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Elizabeth "Liz" Magana, Administrative Assistant Elizabeth started with Mental Health Systems in July 2010 with San Diego Employment So-lutions as an Administrative Assistant. She transferred to Employment Services in October 2011. Elizabeth is responsible for inputting all client information into a database, and as-sists clients and staff with clerical support. She greets staff and clients with a smile and cheerful voice. Elizabeth is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Skyler Samaniego, Employment Specialist, South Bay Skyler has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and his work experience includes being a mental health counselor in an acute and outpatient psychiatric facility, case manager for troubled adolescents and an alcohol and drug case manager. Skyler is bilingual in English and Spanish. He has been with Employment Services since 2004.
Meet Your Employment Services’ Team
April Longhurst, Office Manager April has been with MHS Employment Services since 2001. She started as the Administrative Assistant and is now Office Manager. She has served on the MHS, Cultural Competency Committee, ES Risk and Accessibility Committee and is currently the ES Safety Officer. April was awarded the “Administrative Support Staff Person of the Year 2013” from the San Diego Behavioral Health Recognition Committee.
Kay Masaryk, MS, CPRP , Program Manager Kay offers a variety of experience with operations and mental health counseling. As Program Manager, she is responsible for the general operation of Employment Services. Her responsibilities include staff training and management, budget review, program problem solving, development and agency representation with Department of Rehabilitation, San Diego County Behavioral Health and CARF accrediting surveyors. She was awarded the “Vocational Support Person of the Year” in 2014. She has worked for over 35 year in mental health services and been with Employment Services since 2002.
Kathy Young, SHRM Member, Regional Job Developer Kathy has a degree in business administration and has worked with individuals with multiple barriers to employment since 1998. Prior to going into social work, she was a business owner and an HR Manager. She has worked for the County of San Diego for Welfare-To-Work, CalWORKs, and as a Supervisor for ACS (formerly Lockheed Martin). As a Job Developer/Business Service Strategist her primary function is employer outreach and development. She was awarded the “Vocational Support Person of the Year” in 2012. Kathy has been with Employment Services since 2008.
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Meet Your Employment Services’ Team
Lourdes Arce, Employment Specialist, Central Region Lourdes is originally from Lima, Peru. Her work experience includes over 10 years in social services, providing case management support to adults. She has worked with clients on probation, helping them with case management and working with them to overcome barriers to employment. She also worked with Cal WORKs for 2 years. Lourdes is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has been with Employment Services since September 2010.
Luis A. Blanco Jr., Employment Specialist, East Region Luis is a former New York City Paramedic, and a State of California Employment Program Representative. As a vocational instructor for over 15 years, he has worked with various organizations in San Diego County and out of state. He coordinated with agencies to develop relationships in order to gain access to programs, employment opportunities, and other services. Specializing in job development services for clients with multiple barriers, long-term unemployed, monolingual, disabled, and ex-offenders, provides Luis a well rounded and unique approach to job development. He has been with ES since Sept 2011.
Tanya Booth, M.S., C.R.C., Employment Specialist, Central & North Inland Regions Tanya is a graduate of the Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Program at San Diego State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has an Advance Certificate specializing in mental health. She interned with the Department of Rehabilitation for over a year with a focus on individuals with a mental health diagnoses. She has several years experience working with individuals with various disabilities and the homeless populations. Tanya has been with ES since August 2011.
Helen Ravanelli, Employment Specialist, North Coastal Region Helen received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Biola University in 2012 and joined the Employment Services team in 2013. She has been providing employment and education related services since 1994 in a variety of settings such as colleges, universities, temporary staffing agencies, welfare to work programs, MHS’s Mariposa Clubhouse Helen was awarded one of RICA’s, “This Person Award” in 2013.
Raymond Zambo, MS, MFT, Employment Specialist, Central Region “There is no barrier that can hold back a motivated and enthusiastic candidate.” This philosophy has aided Ray to be successful when working with clients who have a disability. With a Masters in counseling and as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he works to create balance within a client's life so they may be victorious with whatever they set out to do. Ray has been with Employment Services since 2001.
