Recovery to work expansion - recovery to work program expansion is meant to expand recovery to work services currently offered in somerset county and initiate the program in cambria county

Recovery to work is a program offered by upmc western behavioral health at twin lakes center (WBH at twin lakes) in collaboration with the somerset chamber of commerce and careerlink that helps individuals with at least 6 months in recovery prepare for gainful employment. Recovery to work is mutually beneficial to the regional workforce and businesses. Recovery to work is a 12-week program for individuals to review key topics in gaining successful employment. Recovery to work has been in place since 2018 in somerset. The program will continue and expand by offering more classes throughout the year. In the past, the program ran on an as needed basis. With this expansion, WBH at twin lakes will offer four classes per year. In addition, we will expand services into cambria county offering four classes throughout the year there as well. Recovery to work initiates employment opportunities for clients in early recovery which helps prevent relapse. See one of the biggest challenges of kicking addiction is getting and keeping a job - the washington post and how to balance work with recovery from addiction – reco institute for more research and information on working enhancing recovery. At WBH twin lakes, we acknowledge that an effective rehabilitation approach does not minimize the complexity of the disability and recognizes that recovery is a lifetime challenge for the person. Through CRS, the client is guided through difficult periods and supported in the effort to maintain recovery and take steps toward independence. As cited by the rehabilitation research and training center on substance abuse, disability and employment, an effective approach is holistic, individualized, and comprehensive, with rehabilitation efforts focusing on empowering the person to make decisions regarding short-term and long-term goals. A person-driven empowerment approach goes along with an individually developed plan of activities. Recovery to work focuses on smart goals, leadership skills, and teambuilding to encourage their success. Clients will demonstrate willingness to work and fill vacancies at regional businesses and industries. Clients are supported by twin lakes' certified recovery support services. The chamber will assist with organizing industry tours to view opportunities that are currently available in somerset and cambria counties. Careerlink currently offers a program that offers paid on the job training. Their program pays wages for 12 weeks up to $12.00-per hour for no more than 40 hours per week. Partnering with careerlink in the recovery to work program will benefit the individual as they focus on areas of interest of the individual with an end goal of the employer hiring that person after the 12 weeks. These initiatives along with the recovery to work program will provide gainful employment opportunities benefitting both the individual and the community. Enhancing this program and its efficacy through curriculum development is imperative to the success of the program. Developing pre- and post-test assessments will allow clear tracking for the success of the program and its participants. Career scholarships/reimbursement will be provided to each individual to assist them in gaining successful employment. Use of scholarship funds will be tailored to the participants needs, whether the individual needs tools of the trade, workbooks or information, appropriate clothes for interviews and the job, daycare or experience other barriers that need to be addressed for successful employment. Each individual will demonstrate a need in order to justify the scholarship. Twin lakes center would be the fiscal intermediary of these funds. Marketing this program is an important aspect of community knowledge and understanding of the program as well as visibili