For many of the members at Friends In Action, personal goals which include employment and/or education may feel as though they are out of reach. Due to unfortunate circumstances in life, many have had a long break in work history or no work history at all. Many of our members have had difficulty holding a job due to their mental illness. Many feel as though they are forever resigned to a life of disability. Many have been told that they cannot or should not strive for employment. Many have felt the stigma associated with mental illness while seeking employment.
Through the Friends In Action employment program some of our members have been able to return to paid employment in the community. Employment is a right of membership for any member of our clubhouse. Assistance is offered through transitional employment, supported employment and independent employment. The employment program assists our members in exploring various job fields, build strengths and have a work history.
The transitional employment (TE) program is an important first step for many members that wish to enter the work force. An accredited clubhouse should have TE placements for 20% of the average daily attendance. Through the TE program the clubhouse develops relationships with businesses in the community. These businesses provide the clubhouse with a job position to keep filled. The length of a TE placement for our members is usually 6-9 months. There is no competitive interview process. The selection and training of the employee is the responsibility of the clubhouse placement manager. The clubhouse member then becomes a regular, albeit temporary, employee of the participating business. All TE placements should be entry level and part time positions that require no special skills. The only requirement for participate in the TE program is a desire to work. Placement opportunities for our members should continue regardless of previous success in TE placements. Members that are working in a TE placement work at the employer’s place of business and are paid prevailing wage. There should be NO TE placements within the clubhouse. The clubhouses auspice agency can have a TE placement, but they must be off site from the clubhouse and meet all other criteria. There are NO segregated clubhouse enterprises or sheltered workshops. The characteristic of the TE program that differentiates it from other employment programs is that the clubhouse guarantees coverage on all placements. If the member needs to call out for their shift it is the placement manager’s job to cover their shift at the place of employment. At times the placement manager will also work with the member during their shift if they need additional support due to the symptoms of their mental illness or with their job performance.
Supported employment (SE) is the most logical next step for a member that is on the road to independent employment. With the SE program the clubhouse maintains a relationship with the member and the employer, but does not guarantee coverage. The clubhouse member and unit staff work together to determine the type and frequency of support. According the Clubhouse International standards 12.5 % or the clubhouse average daily attendance should have started supported or independent employment in the past 12 months (including jobs they no longer have).
When a member is engaged in independent employment he/she will continue to have clubhouse supports available to them. They will be able to attend the work ordered day and evening, weekend and holiday events when possible.
Sometimes education is more important to a member than employment. They say that education is the work of the youth. Clubhouse assists members in taking advantage of educational opportunities in the community. Members at The Friends In Action Clubhouse are currently engaged in GED classes, college classes and technical programs. Clubhouse utilizes the talents and tutoring skills of members to assist others with homework, etc. Members that are engaged in these educational programs are encouraged to attend clubhouse work ordered day and event, weekend and holiday events when possible.
The employment and education program at Friends In Action assists our members in improving their self-esteem, which in turn assists them in reaching their other goals. A member reaching their goals and becoming more independent is what the clubhouse is all about.
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