TTW Mental Health Summit New Orleans, Louisiana

1. TTW Mental Health SummitNew Orleans, Louisiana Denise R. Espino, M.S., LPC-I Employment Connections The Center for Health Care Services

2. The Center for Health Care Services (CHCS) San Antonio, Texas; population � 1,296,682 Bexar County, Texas; population � 1,594,493 7th most populous city in the nation 2nd most populous in Texas CHCS provides: a diverse system of services serves residents of Bexar County with disabilities disability groups include: adults and children with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse Over 30,000 consumers served per year Of which about 19,000 are adults with severe and persistent mental illness

3. Employment Network (EN) Status CHCS has held EN status since 2003 Re-activation of ticket assignment in 2009 specifically for consumers with mental illness CHCS is a stand alone EN holder CHCS is paid on Milestone Outcomes

4. MHTS/Employment Connections MH supported employment program was re-vamped in 2006 with the start of the Mental Health Treatment Study, a research grant sponsored by the Social Security Administration Sustainability efforts called for additional resources for funding to maintain supported employment services for adults with mental illness

5. Adding TTW into CHCS employment services CHCS supported employment unit provides employment services to non-state funded mental health consumers TTW is one of three funding sources, in addition to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) and grant funds Supported employment unit has not changed staffing ratios to be an EN TTW consumers are folded into existing caseload of Employment Specialist staff

6. Recruitment Existing consumers from research grant Marketing within agency programs Word of mouth from other consumers Under consideration � access CESSI ticket holder database

7. Lessons Learned Consumers receiving mental health services want to work and can be successfully employed long-term with appropriate supports We did not consider activating tickets for grant participants early on We provided services to grant participants to obtain and maintain employment and did not consider seeking additional funding source from TTW in addition to grant funds We have not marketed to the extensive MH population being served by our agency who want to work

8. Lessons Learned (cont.) The 1-800 number for Maximus is available with staff ready to help Submitting paperwork for Ticket assignment and payment is quick and easy Need open and active communication with ticket holders to collect check stubs Option to allow SSA to verify employment income if needed Regular EN Payment Status Reports are available by e-mail

9. Plans to Grow Supported Employment unit will continue functioning as an IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model program Focus is on recovery and helping each individual reach their maximum potential Take advantage of Partnership Plus in Texas for VR consumers needing additional supports

10. Contact Information Denise R. Espino despino@chcsbc.org (210) 979-0446, ext. 309