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Adopt a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) Behavioral Health Division recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
For people in recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders, work is treatment, and a job is an essential part of recovery. Data shows that when people are successfully employed there is a reduction in hospitalizations, increased quality of life and better control of symptoms. National Disability Employment Awareness Month, now in its 79th year, educates communities about disabilities, including mental health and substance use.
Employing workers with disabilities also offers a competitive edge: by incorporating people with disabilities into their human capital strategies, employers expand their pool of talent, skills, and creative business solutions. Workplace practices that include people with disabilities benefit everyone and make good business sense. In Solano County, the Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division, administers a program to provide employment supports to behavioral health consumers and employs people with lived experience to ensure workforce inclusion and diversity to better serve the community. This recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive workforce aligns with the 2024 National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme of “Access to Good Jobs for All.”
Through National Disability Employment Awareness Month, people become more aware and able to recognize that persons in mental health and substance use recovery are vital employees, bring talent to the workplace, and stay well when successfully employed. Workplace practices that include people with disabilities benefit everyone and make good business sense.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and are absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. There is no additional financial impact on the County General fund.
DISCUSSION:
When people are unemployed, there is a greater likelihood of increased substance use, psychiatric disorders, alienation, and reduction in self-esteem. Research studies show many people are able to work despite substance use problems, symptoms of mental illness, irregular attendance at mental health appointments, inconsistent use of medications, poor presentation (physical or social), and other factors. A desire to work helps people overcome even significant barriers to employment, and support services along the way help individuals engage in community jobs placement.
To align with best practices, Behavioral Health BH started an evidence-based employment services program in 2019 to better serve individuals desiring job placements. The employment services program, named “Jobs Plus,” is delivered by a community-based organization in partnership with BH. The program provides employment services for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring challenges who have identified the desire to seek employment utilizing the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) evidenced-based model. The program also supports people with goals to complete their education to gain employment. The goal of this program is for consumers to obtain and maintain employment and neutralize or minimize the stigma attached to their disability. Services include a collaborative assessment and employment plan, employment preparation, job development and placement, job coaching and follow-up/retention support. Employment specialists also help employers and businesses as they offer supports for the employee to ensure job retention. Since 2019, the program has served 667 individuals with a 65% competitive employment rate, a measure indicating that these individuals are successfully obtaining and maintaining regular employment throughout the community. In FY2023/24, Jobs Plus served 132 unduplicated individuals and placed 74 of these individuals in competitive employment opportunities throughout Solano County.
The discussion for equity and inclusion of disabled workers is ever-evolving and also includes those who are justice-involved. In 2024, a community-based organization received the HIRE Grant (Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment) funding in partnership with the Solano Workforce Development Board. This grant funding will be utilized to assist the justice involved reentry population who are impacted by mental illness and substance use with employment and educational opportunities, such as certificate programs to promote career development.
Additionally, community peer support specialists (those living with mental illness and substance use disorders) are critical team members within mental health services that utilize their lived experience to offer hope, mentoring, and mutuality to persons seeking services. Peer support encompasses a range of activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. This mutuality, often called “peerness,” between a peer support worker and person in or seeking recovery, promotes connection and inspires hope. By sharing their own lived experience and practical guidance, peer support workers help people to develop their own goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take concrete steps towards building fulfilling, self-determined lives for themselves.
Through all these efforts, persons served by BH give back to their community through their lived experience and employment skills. Solano County is committed to providing employment services, peer support and referral services to persons served by BH, including youth, adults, and family members. This approach to employment address barriers related to social determinants of health and supports individuals served by BH to initiate and sustain the recovery process.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to positively impact Solano County through increased awareness of employment and disability inclusion efforts.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division, is working with State, local, and contractor partners on employment efforts.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION