106 East College Avenue
Suite 820
Tallahassee, FL 32301
888-838-ABLE
(toll-free in Florida)
850-224-4493 Voice or TDD
850-224-4496 Fax
Email:info@abletrust.org
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The Able Trust: Vincent House received a grant in September 2005 for a Transitional Employment Program. Could you explain what you mean by Transitional?
Vincent House: Transitional Employment is a very supportive form of employment that is specific for people recovering from a mental illness. Transitional Employment placements are time-limited, entry-level jobs in the community at competitive wages. A member of Vincent House fills the job for 6-9 months, then progresses to another transitional job or a supportive or independent job. A new member fills the vacated job which gives another person an opportunity to work competitively in the community.
AT: Have individuals progressed into competitive employment in their communities after their "Transitional Employment"?
VH: Yes, we have several members who moved to supportive employment. One member worked two transitional jobs, both related to food service. He decided he wanted to do yard work. Vincent House helped him to get a job on a tree farm where he cuts grass, trims trees and bushes and cares for the trees.
AT: Tell us more about the Clubhouse model that Vincent House operates.
VH: A Clubhouse is a place where people who have experienced a mental illness go to rebuild their lives. Participants are called members, not patients, clients or consumers. Members work side by side with a limited staff to perform all the functions needed for a smooth running Clubhouse. Members participate in meal preparation, data entry, banking and more. The work in the Clubhouse is the core healing process. When members are ready they may try working in the community at real jobs.
AT: So Employment is a major thread in Operational activities of the clubhouse?
VH: Absolutely! Yet, in a Clubhouse employment is still a choice of the member. Participation in a Clubhouse often leads to employment, even if that was not an original goal of the individual. In a Massachusetts study conducted over 6 years, 40% of the members did not want to work when they became a member of a Clubhouse. Six years later, 48% of the members without vocational goals were working. When a person sees others going to work and earning money, they realize they can do it too.
AT: How have you had success in reaching out to Employers to make this group employment happen? Isn't it harder to sell the hire of four employees rather than just one?
VH: Developing a group placement has been more difficult that a single placement. Many employers were able to offer a single job but they did not have a need for four or more employees at a given time. For us we found persistence paid off. Our employment specialist was relentless about contacting many different businesses. Even when there were a number of good leads, he did not stop. We continued to pursue jobs until we were certain we had the jobs solidified.
AT: What are the biggest misconceptions that you tackle with employers about hiring individuals from the Vincent House program?
VH: Many people are concerned about their ability to perform the job and some are concerned about the stigma associated with mental illness. We explain the employers that our members will be able to perform as well or better than anyone they would hire from the newspaper or other employment source. People with mental illnesses are often highly intelligent and extremely motivated to work. We try to make it comfortable for employers to express their concerns about the stigmatizing portrayal of people with mental illnesses as seen on television or in movies. We calmly explain that we know our members and we will be seeing them regularly at the Clubhouse. If any problem of any type should arise, we would be the first to notice a problem.
AT: What are the common job accommodations you may have to set up for individuals on the job?
VH: The most common accommodation we have for our members is on the job training and a detailed job description. A staff member, called a placement manager, learns the job and then develops a detailed job description. The placement manager then teaches the job to the member. When the member is ready, the placement manager steps away and allows the member to work without the placement manager. When we have a group placement, the placement manager remains on the job to serve as a supervisor.
AT: Can you share a personal success story, how employment has made the difference for one individual?
VH: Yes, I would like to tell you about Lisa. Lisa lived in an Assisted Living Facility for 11 years. She never lived on her own. When she came to Vincent House, she would eat bagels for 10 cents each or free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because she didn't have the money to buy a regular lunch for $1.00. She wanted a job so she would have some spending money. Lisa started working a transitional job creating and repairing medical records. She called it her "dream job." When she needed to change jobs she worried she would not like the new job. Instead she found another dream job working a transitional job as a lane attendant. With her new "wealth" Lisa was able to move into her own apartment with a roommate of her choice and has money in the bank. She has her rent check written out to her landlord at least two weeks before it is due. Lisa has been able to buy a stereo system, CDs and other things we often take for granted.
AT: If an employer were interested in speaking with you about possible employment opportunities, how would they contact you?
VH: They could call Vincent House at (727) 541-0321 or email the employment coordinator at vincenthouse-dianne@verizon.net.
AT: Thanks for sharing information about your Transitional Employment Program!
VH: Thank you for this opportunity to tell you about Vincent House and Clubhouses for people recovering from a mental illness. It is such a pleasure helping people get their lives back through work. We thank you for all you have done to help Vincent House members become employed. Many lives have changed, thanks to the generosity of the Able Trust.
