McKEESPORT, PA (Sept. 1, 2006)-Mon-Yough Community Services. (MYCS) most recent history shows success in placing 69 percent of those receiving supportive employment service into competitive employment opportunities through its Supportive Employment program - far exceeding the national average placement rate of 45 percent.
New and existing relationships between MYCS and nearly 25 community business sites provide these fully integrated competitive employment opportunities. Additionally, projects to incorporate work opportunities within larger business structures in the Mon Valley area are in development stages.
These positive outcomes resulted from programs instituted after an MYCS survey of adults served in mental health programs identified a gap in providing vocational rehabilitation and supportive employment.
Services available through MYCS, Inc., Supportive Employment have centered around alternate funding available grants, vocational assessment and interest inventory, natural support assessments, resume writing, informed disclosure, detailed job and task analysis, and follow-up services.
"Individuals diagnosed with mental illness or mental retardation and developmental disability experience more success when organizations and programs have a recovery-oriented system of care," said Jim Wyler, Director of Vocational Services at MYCS. "Psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery support values such as choice, hope and individualized care. The vocational program at MYCS recognizes the importance of work in a person's life, and encourages involvement of a person's support network of family, friends, and providers throughout the program."
Two dedicated Employment Specialists focus on each individual participant's needs, since it is essential to instill hope and provide the opportunity to think about the future, while allowing consumers to be active participants in rehabilitation. The program staff also has access to modern tools to assist individuals throughout the employment continuum.
MYCS fosters hope, renewal, healing, and wellness for those in McKeesport and surrounding communities facing the challenges of mental health, substance abuse disorders, and developmental disabilities. MYCS focuses on rehabilitation, recovery, and quality of life in its mission to help individuals, families and the community at large get better.
For more information, contact Noreen Fredrick, MYCS at 412-647-3555.
