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The Supported Employment Program at Clackamas County is designed to help people living with mental health diagnoses find and keep a good job. This program is available only to consumers enrolled in mental health services with the Clackamas County. Supported Employment can provide you with the confidence and skills you need to be successful at finding and keeping the job you want.
Why is it important?
Everyone works for similar reasons: money, security, quality of life, challenge, satisfaction, relationships, and happiness. Work is an important part of recovery with a mental illness. National research indicates that 2 out of 3 people with mental illness are interested in competitive employment.
As an evidence-based program, Supported Employment is nearly 3 times more effective than other vocational approaches in helping people with mental illness work competitively. When people work with our Supported Employment program, they are more likely to find a good job — and more likely to keep it.
The Principles of Supported Employment
Employees in the Supported Employment Program are: (from left) Rosa Murillo, Vincent Murphy and Trina Taylor.
Fast service
Our employment specialists will help you look for jobs right away. No waiting around! If you are an employer, we can help you find a great employee right away.
Ongoing assistance
Once a person has been placed in a job, employment specialists will be there to help them along the way.
We help everyone
No one is excluded from participating. Our employment specialists work with anyone with mental health needs who is looking for work.
We work directly with health providers
Our employment specialists work closely with friends, family and the people already working with each individual, including their health care providers.
Competitive jobs
Employment specialists help people find jobs in the open labor market that pay at least minimum wage and that anyone could have, regardless of their disability status.
Keep your benefits
Our employment specialists will help each consumer understand how benefits (such as Social Security or Medicaid) are affected by working. Most people are able to work and continue to receive some benefits.
It's about personal choice
Choices about work are based on your preferences, strengths and experiences. We work with you to find a job that fits your needs, and we work with employers to find the right fit for their needs.
What can you do?
Please consider joining our Steering Committee. We need your input, support and direction to make this program a success. By donating your time to our quarterly meetings, you can make a difference in our community.
For more information about Supported Employment in Clackamas County, call the Stewart Behavioral Health Center at 503-655-8264
Additional information can be found at the Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence website.