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>> Galen Smith: We'll now observe a meeting with a group of clients
in supported employment services.
Now you can meet with clients individually or as a group.
>> Sandy Reese: So let's go take a look.
Hi. Welcome everybody, thanks for coming today.
We really appreciate that.
>> Hi.
>> Sandy: My name is Sandy and this is Galen, my colleague.
We're here today; we're here today to visit the Great Lakes Mental Health Agency
to visit their supported employment program and find out what sorts of services people
like you are receiving in supported employment.
So how about if we start with everybody introducing themselves.
>> Bill: My name's Bill.
>> Sandy: Hi, Bill.
>> Bob: I'm Bob.
>> Sandy: Hi, Bob.
>> Sue: Sue.
>> Sandy: Hi, Sue.
Thank you.
Nice to meet all of you.
>> Galen: Nice to meet you guys.
>> Nice to meet you.
>> Nice to meet you too.
>> Galen: Well, just to elaborate a little bit on what Sandy said, in a few days,
we're going to be providing the agency with a written report and some verbal comments
about how they might go about improving their supported employment program services.
We interview a variety of individuals in the agency, getting different perspectives
and certainly we want to get your perspectives
because you're the individuals that are receiving the services.
And so your comments are really important.
We do not use anybody's names.
>> Bill: So it's confidential then?
>> Galen: It is going to be confidential;
>> Bill: Okay.
>> Galen: In the sense that we're not going to use anyone's names in our report.
>> Bill: All right.
>> Bob: I agree with Bill and I like his point.
>> Galen: Very good; very good point and yes, it is confidential to the extent
that we will not be using any of your names in the information.
We will be using the information that you give us today,
but we won't be attaching a name to that information, all right?
So we want you to be able to speak as freely and as candidly as you wish.
Lastly, I'd just like to point out, is it okay with you guys if we take a few notes as we;
as we're going through this because I won't be able to remember it all.
>> Bob: Sure, I guess.
>> Bill: Yeah, sure.
>> Sandy: Okay.
>> Galen: Good, all right.
>> Sandy: All right.
Well how about if we get started with talking about your employment goals.
Bill, I think I heard that you just got a job.
>> Bill: Yes, as a matter of fact I just got a job 2 days ago.
>> Sandy: All right, congratulations.
>> Bill: So a new job; yeah, so I'm very happy about that.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Bill: Yeah, my employment specialist got it for me.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Bill: Well, we were looking around and;
>> Sandy: Right.
>> Bill: For about a month or 2 and yeah, and this opportunity came around so actually,
when we were starting to look for a job, I told her not to look for like fast food work jobs,
because I don't like to work with fast food.
It's too icky with greasy stuff and this opportunity came around so, it came.
So I'm very happy about that.
>> Sandy: Good, good.
So it sounds like your employment specialist really listened to what you wanted to do;
>> Bill: Yeah.
>> Sandy: And they didn't go towards fast food because you didn't like that.
>> Bill: Yeah.
>> Sandy: And you like working around people.
>> Bill: Yeah, and plus what's great about it is it's close to my house.
So all I have to do is about one half hour of a bus ride or something.
Take one bus.
>> Sandy: That's important.
>> Bill: Yeah, so it's very important, so.
>> Sandy: Great.
So are you seeing your employment specialist?
>> Bill: Yeah.
>> Sandy: On a regular basis, or?
>> Bill: Yeah, on a regular basis.
Definitely.
>> Sandy: Okay.
>> Bill: Yes.
>> Sandy: About how often?
>> Bill: Well, right now I'm going to be seeing her frequently.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Bill: Because I just got the job.
>> Sandy: Okay.
Okay. So she's going to work with you before you actually start your job too?
>> Bill: Yeah.
Yeah. Definitely.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Galen: Good for you, Bill.
>> Bill: Yeah, thanks a lot.
Thanks a lot.
>> Sue: Congratulations.
>> Bill: Thanks.
Thanks.
>> Galen: Well as I understand it, I'd like to hear a little bit of information
from both Sue and you as well, Bob.
Sue, maybe you could tell me a little bit about how you're; I understand you're working,
so maybe you could tell me a little bit
of how your supported employment specialist helped you get a job
and how they're helping you while you're working?
>> Sue: Well, my case manager told me about the employment specialist.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Sue: So I was referred there;
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Sue: And when I met her, she was very; she was very considerate and we talked about things
that would bother me, things that wouldn't bother me;
>> Galen: Oh.
>> Sue: Like, I wouldn't want to work somewhere that I had to deal with tons of people.
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Sandy: Right.
>> Sue: And then she approached me with the idea of a dry cleaning job.
I said that sounded different.
So I; she was able to get special accommodations for me so I don't have to really;
I'll be in the back so I don't have to deal with the masses of people.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Sue: And also, I have a thing with about money.
>> Sandy: Yeah.
>> Sue: So I don't have to worry about with that either, so.
I'm happy with what she's done for me.
>> Sandy: Great.
>> Sue: She's supportive.
>> Galen: So did I understand correctly
that your employment specialist contacted the employer and then you;
>> Sue: Right.
>> Galen: Went in for an interview.
Did she come to the interview with you?
>> Sue: Yes, she did.
She was very supportive.
>> Galen: Oh, terrific, and that's where you kind of made some accommodations?
>> Sue: Uh-huh, uh-huh.
>> Galen: And about how often are you seeing your support employment specialist?
>> Sue: About twice a week now.
>> Galen: A couple of times a week?
>> Sue: Yeah.
But we usually get coffee or something.
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Sue: You know, because I don't want people to know about my business and stuff.
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Sandy: Okay.
>> Galen: Fabulous.
And Bob, what about yourself?
>> Bob: Well, I'm a little nervous but I guess I'll just go ahead.
>> Galen: It's okay, Bob.
>> Bob: Yeah, I know.
Couple months back I was having my weekly meeting with my case manager and she told me
about this job program and said I should try it out.
But first she suggested I get a janitorial position here in the building, cleaning it,
because I've been trying to find a job on my own and it's kind
of been stressful and stuff like that.
And I don't mean to sound ungrateful.
I know this is going to come out the wrong way, but I just don't see
in my 5, 10 year plan, being a janitor.
>> Bill: Yeah.
I can relate to that.
Definitely I can relate to that, Bob.
On the janitorial part.
I had a janitorial job too.
>> Bob: Galen: The smelly mop water, and particularly, when you put the ammonia on it.
>> Yeah.
>> Bob: It's just not for me so I got more involved in the job program.
>> Galen: Well, that's; that's interesting, Bob.
Let me just make sure I understand correctly what you're telling me.
You were looking for a job on your own there for a while;
>> Bob: Yeah.
>> Galen: And you were struggling with that.
>> Bob: Really struggling.
>> Galen: Really struggling.
And your case manager then suggested hey, we have this janitorial work program;
>> Bob: Yeah.
>> Galen: And you said okay, even;
it sounds like you absolutely don't like that kind of work.
>> Bob: No, not really.
As I said, my case manager suggested it.
She said you know, it would help me build; rebuild up my resume
because I kind of [inaudible] job skills.
>> Galen: And what's your current situation now with that?
Are you just staying in that job?
>> Bob: Yeah, I'm not getting paid as much as I used to because they cut back on their budget
and that's really not cool because I kind of need money to get around and stuff like that.
So I met with my employment specialist and now I'm looking for real work.
We meet about once or twice a week right now.
Maybe sometimes 3 times a week and we go out and fill job applications
and she'll do stuff for me online too.
>> Galen: So what now kinds of work are you looking at?
>> Bob: Well, I met with my employment specialist and she knows I like theater
and films and so we looked at some movie theaters for usher jobs and;
>> Sue: You're going to get us passes, right?
>> Bob: Yeah.
>> Galen: [Laughing] We'll all get in line for that.
>> Sandy: Yeah.
>> Bob: And then we also looked at some theater jobs, like front of the house
and usher jobs at bigger theaters.
>> Galen: Uh-huh.
>> Sandy: That's great.
>> Galen: And Bob, have you; have you provided disclosure so you're employment specialist;
>> Bob: No, no, no.
I wouldn't want that, no.
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Bob: You know, there's too many people out there that are biased and have certain opinions
on people with mental illness and;
>> Yeah.
>> Bob: I just want that; I want to get stuff on my own merit.
>> Galen: I see, okay.
So how is she helping you on the job search then?
>> Bob: Well, she does go and help me fill out applications about once or twice a week
and also does it online, but she; when they ask you know, why is she filling
out this application, she says she's just a friend helping me
out because my handwriting is not too good.
>> Galen: Okay.
And about how often are you meeting with her?
>> Bob: Regularly it's about once or twice a week;
>> Galen: Okay.
>> Bob: But sometimes it's even three times a week.
>> Galen: Oh really, okay.
And where do you usually meet?
>> Bob: I usually meet her here but she'll pick me up and we'll go out to different restaurants
and we just went out the other day to a sushi restaurant and I brought home an extra plate
of sushi because I really like it.
>> Galen: Well, that sounds great.
Sandy, I don't think I have any more questions.
Do you have anything to contribute or add here?
>> Sandy: I, I have one.
I have one more question.
I'm just wondering that if you could provide the agency with any recommendations or suggestions
about the services that you get here, is there something that you would suggest?
>> Bob: Yeah, I've got a big one.
I can reach my employment specialist on her phone
because I've got her speed dial on my phone.
But I think they should bring in interns;
>> Yeah.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Bob: And they could help the employment specialist take the [inaudible]
>> Bill: I'd have to agree with Bob on that.
They're very busy people.
>> Sandy: Uh-huh.
>> Galen: Uh-huh.
>> Bob: You know, they could focus on helping us with our resumes and our cover letters.
>> Bill: Yeah, I would agree with Bob on that.
>> Bob: And you know, stuff like that.
Maybe even pretend they're an employer and give us interview skills.
>> Galen: That's a very interesting idea.
>> Sandy: Yeah.
>> Bob: Thank you.
>> Galen: Any other ideas?
>> Bob: No.
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>> Sandy: No?
Okay, well thank you all so much.
We really appreciate your time.
>> Galen: Absolutely.
Thank you guys very, very much.
It's been a pleasure to spend time with you and talk with you.
>> Bill: Okay, thank you.
>> Galen: Meeting with clients always bring me back to the most important reason
that we're here; helping this agency to provide effective employment services
so people can achieve their employment goals.
There was a great deal of information in this meeting.
>> Sandy: Well, all the clients were at different places with their work goals.
But there were some common themes.
Where should we start?
>> Galen: Well Sandy, I heard some examples
of employment specialists following client preferences, such as types of jobs,
not handling money at work, working close to home and not working with fast food.
Some good information for the fidelity item, individualized job search.
>> Sandy: I agree, but with one notable exception.
We heard from one person who was steered into the janitorial program at the agency,
even though he does not like janitorial work.
It was good to hear that he is now working with an employment specialist to find real work,
as he described it, that will fit with his personal preferences.
>> Galen: Important observation, Sandy.
And that's a great quote to use in the summary report.
We heard that some clients have chosen to disclose that they have a mental illness,
during the job development process, while some clients are choosing not to disclose.
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>> Galen: In both cases, employment specialists are still working
with clients and honoring client's choices.
This, plus other information we'll find in the clients records,
will help us score the fidelity item, disclosure.