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Community Employment Services Program
The Community Employment Services, a program of the MHCCI-Springfield is provided to persons with disabilities to identify, obtain, maintain, and advance in employment. Offered at the West Lake Center, services include preparation of the person for employment, job development, placement in supported employment, job coaching, follow-up and post-employment services.
Objectives:
Job Development - Seek out employment opportunities within the community.
Pre-employment Preparation - Assess the appropriateness of the person for Job Placement services for either competitive or supported employment.
Job Placement - Assist the person in understanding job location, duties, rates of pay, personnel benefits, employment policies and practices, union membership policies when applicable, and the impact of employment on disability benefits prior to job acceptance.
Supported Employment - Provides on-going support, both on and off the job, to persons with disabilities who require support to choose, obtain, and maintain employment in the community.
Employment Follow-up - Provided assistance to persons not in Supported Employment to make sure the employer and employee are meeting each other’s expectations.
Post-Employment Services - Assistance is provided to the person as needed after one year of follow-up.
Sangamon and Menard county residents may contact West Lake Center at
(217) 529-9775 to discuss admission criteria.
The Employment Services Program's mission is to:
educate the client, the general public, and other organizations on mental illness and work,
assist the client in making decisions and provide options,
support the client’s decisions,
help the client improve his/her life style, self-esteem, self-confidence, and quality of life and
be creative and objective in working with the client on these items.
Who's eligible for the Employment Services Program?
Adults, male/female, and at least 18 years of age
Must live in Sangamon County
Must have a diagnosis of, and experience a serious and persistent mental illness
Must have demonstrated a desire to get and keep a job
Must be willing to cooperate with employers and providers
Must demonstrate the ability to:
- take care of your basic needs,
- provide your own transportation,
- take medication as prescribed,
- maintain good hygiene,
- use healthy coping skills and
- follow treatment recommendations.
Description of services
Where?
West Lake Center is located at 200 West Lake Drive, Springfield, Illinois
It is on a direct bus route to downtown Springfield.
Services are provided on the job, in the office, or in the community as needed.
Members are expected to provide their own transportation to and from work and meetings. When public transportation is not available, staff will assist clients in securing transportation, if necessary.
When?
Services are available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist with work related problems.
Schedule may change due to your work schedule.
Who?
Clients will be assigned an employment counselor to assist in the job hunt. This counselor will assist the client with training for the job, finding a job, and keeping a job; as well as help the client identify goals and monitor progress. The counselor will also consult with the client’s case manager, therapist or other MHCCI staff involved in his/her treatment. With the client’s consent, the counselor may also consult with other individuals in his/her support network outside of MHCCI.
Special needs?
If a client does not speak English, an interpreter will be provided, if possible.
West Lake Center is wheelchair accessible.
Accommodations will be made for the visually and hearing impaired.
Services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, ancestry or marital status.
Linkage will be made to assistive technology and related equipment to meet your needs and preferences within the context of reasonable accommodation.
What can a client expect to get out of this process?
A client can expect his/her employment counselor to work with him/her in developing options based upon preferences, strengths and needs. Clients will also be able to make decisions or changes at any point during the following stages.
Referral - At this point the client and a provider must submit a written referral to the program saying he/she is ready to go to work.
Orientation - This is the client’s first appointment scheduled with the team leader to explore: employment goals, eligibility, willingness, commitment, personal and employment history, preferences, strengths, needs, ability, and services within the program. This is also a time when all necessary paperwork is completed and the client’s DHS/DRS appointment is scheduled.
DHS/DRS Appointment - During this appointment, the client and his/her employment counselor will meet with a caseworker from DHS/DRS to discuss eligibility requirements, the orientation meeting, and employment history and goals. At this time, the client will complete all DHS/DRS paperwork necessary for them to open a case. A client’s case must be opened to DHS/DRS in order to be involved in the Employment Services Program.
Job Development/Prevocational Skills Training - Clients will participate in meetings with his/her employment counselor, which focus on interviewing skills, creating a resume, filling out applications, how work effects benefits, etc. During this stage, the client and his/her employment counselor will explore employment possibilities, as related to work history, abilities, strengths and preferences. The client and employment counselor are also working together in creating and distributing a resume to area employers. This stage is complete when the client is hired into the job of his/her choice and the client’s counselor has reviewed the responsibilities, rules, and policies of the position. We will provide support for three months to make sure the client has adjusted to the job. We will meet with the client, his/her employer and DHS/DRS, to make sure everyone is satisfied.
Job Retention - After a client has been successfully placed in the job of his/her choice, he/she will be provided with many opportunities to discuss any issue of concern, which may affect performance on the job. This support may be provided on the job site or off the job site. We will provide support and counseling for job related issues as needed for at least three months. We will provide assistance to a client’s employer as needed, and we will provide training to help a client get and keep the job of his/her choosing.
Follow-Up – After a client has successfully maintained a job for at least 90 days, and the client’s case has been closed to DHS/DRS, the counselor will periodically touch base to make sure all is well.
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