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October 06, 2009
SECOND CHANCE
Michele Robinson helps young woman with co-occurring disorders re-enter community after prison by providing supported employment
—by Paul M. Kubek and Matthew K. Weiland
Mentor, OH—Michele Robinson is an employment specialist embedded in an Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) team, which serves people diagnosed with co-occurring severe mental and substance use disorders. The organization for which she works, Neighboring, in Mentor, is utilizing the evidence-based Supported Employment model to help people in the community find regular (non-workshop) jobs of their choice.
Some organizations understand how evidence-based practices like IDDT and SE complement each other to maximize consumer quality of life. They pay attention to the research and put it into practice. Neighboring does this, making them among Ohio's leaders in implementing these service innovations. The agency has seen its commitment to EBPs come to fruition through the sustained recovery of many community members (see "Related" stories section below).
Michele Robinson shares a story about a woman in her twenties who started her teen years and adult life with the odds stacked against her. She experienced the following:
- Began using drugs at the age of 14 (i.e., marijuana, alcohol, and eventually acid & crystal meth)
- Began experiencing symptoms of bi-polar disorder at 17
- Hooked up with a crystal-meth crowd
- Got arrested
- Spent time in prison
Employment: The Great Barrier Buster
This is a story which demonstrates that the prospects of getting an enjoyable job can help people overcome some of the most challenging barriers to recovery, health, and well-being, including the following:
- Severe mental illness
- Multiple substance use disorders
- Limited work history
- Criminal history
THE CONVERSATION
Robinson participated in the Center for EBP's Annual Ohio Supported Employment Conference 2009, held in March in Columbus. She answered our open invitation to attendees to share their lessons-learned stories and consumer-recovery stories.
Robinson's story is one that illustrates a smart use of Supported Employment's core principles and components (see sidebars). For starters, note that this story is built primarily upon two principles:
- Employment is Integrated with Mental Health Services
- Zero Exclusion
1.) Part 1 | Rapid Job-Search (1m 46s)
This woman was released from prison, living in transitional housing, and referred to Neighboring's IDDT services. She expressed an interest in getting a job, so the team did what the research recommends. They utilized the "rapid job-search" principle and referred her to Robinson, the employment specialist, who began to work with her immediately.
2.) Part 2 | Consumer Preferences are Important (56s)
Robinson started with some simple questions: What would your dream job be? Where would you like to be [in your life]? The woman wanted to get her general education degree (GED) and to go to college, so these became her recovery goals. The consumer got her GED, and after taking some college courses, she decided she was not ready for it. She began a job search.
 | listen & learn more |
3.) Part 3 | Jobs as Transitions (1m 18s)
This consumer wanted to start working only for a few hours on weekends at a restaurant, mainly because she liked being around people. She got the job, and it facilitated some significant changes (transitions) in her life. She bought a bike she could ride to and from work. She saved money and paid off traffic tickets, so she could get her driver's license again.
| listen & learn more |
4.) Part 4 | Consumer Preferences: Disclosure (1m 51s)
The consumer started looking for full-time work on her own and chose to disclose her entire life story—felony, recovery, help from Neighboring—to a potential employer, who was impressed with her honesty and offered her a full-time job with an accommodation. She is now a sponsor in 12-step programs and provides peer support.
5.) Part 5 | Celebrate Successes (51s)
Initially quiet and unsure of herself, this young woman has discovered her own sense of identity through work and the self-esteem that accompanies it. She is sociable and willingly talks to other people with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders who might be hesitant about work and recovery.
| listen & learn more |
THE NATIONAL SCENE
Supported Employment, the evidence-based practice, was created by researchers Deborah R. Becker, MEd, CRC, and Robert E. Drake, MD, PhD, and their colleagues at the New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center at Dartmouth Medical School.
They have provided leadership for national implementation of SE via the Johnson & Johnson-Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program. The State of Ohio—and the Center for EBPs at Case—is participating in this national initiative.
| learn more |
RELATED STORIES, THIS SITE
SPRING TRAINING
 Supported Employment conference 2009 draws nearly 200 people from around the country
| get full story |
DRAKE TIME
IDDT pioneer Bob Drake reflects upon the ongoing evolution of integrated treatment and the importance of supported employment
| get full story |
Some stories about the people who work at Neighboring of Mentor, Ohio . . .
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
 Neighboring puts premium on IDDT fidelity, innovative outreach to homeless
| get full story & audio |
BOARD'S-EYE VIEW
An executive’s perspective about EBP implementation, featuring Ken Gill
| get full story & audio |
WARMING HEARTS ON A COLD BENCH
Renee Molzon of Neighboring provides safe interpersonal space for assertive outreach, becomes IDDT ambassador
| get full story & audio |
INTERNAL WORLD OF WORK
Mental health providers at Neighboring support clients during rapid job-search, employment experiences
| get PDF |
Some stories about the people served by Neighboring of Mentor, Ohio . . .
EVERY JOURNEY HAS A STORY
 Nicole Clevenger's back-to-work recovery story (order the CD and listen to or download free MP3 tracks)
| get full story & audio |
MAGICAL METROPARKS
Employer, employee team-up with onsite job coaching
| get full story |
A few other consumer success stories . . .
A POINT OF PRIDE
John Moneypenny draws upon a strong work ethic to advance his recovery, purpose
| get full story & audio |
THE CHEESE WALL
Zero-exclusion is the ultimate optimism, everyone who wants to work receives Supported Employment services
| get full story & audio |
RELATED STORIES, OTHER SITES
Supported Employment featured on CBS
 The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric aired a report featuring our own SE Consultant and Trainer Nicole Clevenger.
| get full story |
Coping with Bipolar Affective Disorder featured on NPR
The Diane Rehm Show hosts a discussion about the 2.5 million people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
| get full story |
IDDT featured on NPR
National Public Radio (NPR) features researcher Robert Drake, PhD, of Dartmouth Medical School, one of the pioneers of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model.
| get full story |
ACADEMIC-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
The Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University is a partnership between the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case and the Department of Psychiatry at the Case School of Medicine. The Center for EBPs works in collaboration with and is supported by the following:
- Ohio Department of Mental Health
- Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
- Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission
- Ohio Department of Health
The Ohio SAMI Coordinating Center of Excellence (CCOE) and Ohio SE CCOE are both initiatives of the Center for EBPs.
Paul M. Kubek, MA, is director of communications and Matthew K. Weiland, MA, is senior writer, producer and new-media specialist at the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University.
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