The Region VI CRP-RCEP e-News Bulletin is published monthly through a grant awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work & Addictions at the University of North Texas.
Editor
Martha Garber
Project Director
Contributing Authors
Yvonne Raffini
Zach Sneed
Jim Humes
Marcy Haag
Principle Investigator
Linda Holloway
Any comments about the content or design of this e-Newsletter should be directed to Martha Garber
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From the desk of: Martha Garber
We created this newsletter to fulfill a request made by you, our partners. We hope to use this vehicle to inform you of emerging issues, revisit issues that still trouble rehabilitation, share resources and promising practices as well as promote rehabilitation as a profession. We really want to hear from you. Tell us about your successes and let us know what you need. Please contact me 
directly with your thoughts, ideas and news items. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mental Health & Employment Readiness
Many of us have been caught in the "ready to work" dilemma. Evidence-based practice in supported employment tells us the time a customer is ready for work is: "when they say they want to work".
When we see our customer's desire to work waning, it is very likely fear has set in. To address this, you must be armed with a quality assessment and have a strong circle of support. Practice consistent strategies which drive the job search forward such as, reaffirming the consumer's life goals, teaching affirming self-talk, reinforcing the consumer's positive efforts, and sharing more responsibility for the outcome.
Remember a rapid approach to job matching is all about not dwelling on the unnecessary. Working can show the person that they can have success whether it is a financial reward, increased social interactions or fulfilling personal meaning. Joseph Marrone and Ed Golowka wrote an article which says it all, “If work makes people with mental illness sick, what does unemployment, poverty and social isolation cause?”
Below are some web resources you might find helpful as you provide employment services to individuals with a mental illness:
In Our Own Voice is a unique information outreach program developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) that offers insight into the recovery now possible for people with severe mental illness. Learn all about NAMI at www.nami.org
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website has an excellent section on resources for veterans.
Several toolkits on Self-determination are available from the Center for Mental Health Services Research & Policy (CMHSRP) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Caregiver supports are available for Schizophrenia and Bi-polar Disorder at the website: www.caregiver.com
A Workplace Culture Calculator is available from OfficeTeam. This assessment tool takes less than five (5) minutes to complete and measures nine dimensions of workplace culture.
Announcing: BRAND NEW TRAINING!
Hey…What's your DI?!?
Diversity Intelligence, that is! This course marks the beginning of the “At Your Desktop” trainings we will offer. Skip the traveling and join us via computer!
Diversity Intelligence is the ability to build and maintain high quality, functional and productive relationships with individuals and groups of people whose culture(s) may be significantly different from your own.
It is a course designed for the rehab professional.
The course will be taught by Timothy Owens who is an accomplished speaker, 
trainer, and facilitator. He is frequently requested to speak to groups concerning: Personal Motivation and Empowerment, Diversity Management, Conflict Resolution, Team Building, and College Success. He earned his Master of Science degree from the University of North Texas in Rehabilitation Counseling. His Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism/Public Relations is from the University of Oklahoma.
This training will be held September 28, October 5 and 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Just as with all of our trainings, you are able to register on our website: www.crp.unt.edu. Please visit this link for full details.
Next Month: Career Planning With Youth in Transition
Training Schedule
August 21-22, 2007: Supported Employment: Basic Skills Clinic, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
September 5-6, 2007: Job Coaching Strategies, Covington, Louisiana
September 18-19, 2007: Building Employer Relationships: Marketing & Job Development, Albuquerque, New Mexico
September 28, October 5 & 12, 2007: Diversity Intelligence for Practicing VR Service Providers, Online
October 9-10, 2007: Supported Employment: Basic Skills Clinic, Hot Springs, Arkansas
October 16-18, 2007: Certificate in Employment Services Session I, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Session II: November 27-29)
Upcoming Conferences
National Rehabilitation Association 2007 Conference & Exhibit, Sept 6-9, 2007, Tucson, Arizona
US Business Leadership Network's 10th Annual Conference & 2nd Annual National Career Fair, September 23-26, 2007, Orlando, Florida
National ADA Symposium & Expo, May 12-14, 2008, St. Louis, Missouri
From our Friends at DARS
You've got to check out this new training program from PEPNet-South: An Inside Look: Assessing The Needs of Consumers Who Are Deaf or Low Functioning. This teletraining program is totally free and open to the public. To learn more about PEPNet-South, visit their website.
Have You Heard?
NBC Nightly News Anchor, Brian Williams, reported recently that Walgreen Company of Deerfield, Ill has exceeded its goal of employing individuals with disabilities to fill 1/3 of the 800 positions available at its new facility. Walgreen's southeastern distribution center, which opened June 14, 2007, has hired 250 people so far. Of that number, 42% have a disability.
Click here to read the story or watch the video interview.
What Would You Like to Hear About in Future Issues of e-News?
Send your comments and story ideas to e-News Bulletin Project Director & Editor, Martha Garber.
This project is in part supported under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.