High Point clients shown pathway to employment
Recovery from a mental health problem or drug addiction entails many elements, employment certainly being a critical one. Work is both necessary to pay one’s bills and give one a sense of fulfillment. With this in mind, High Point Partial Care recently invited Amy Vadala, Career Services Therapist at Pathways to Employment of Hunterdon County, to give a presentation to High Point’s clients. T
he program, which is free and is funded by a state grant, provides assistance with job placement, assistance with resume writing and job interviewing and even transportation to a work site.
Separate presentations were given to High Point’s mental health clients and substance use clients, as the two groups have somewhat different employment needs and face different obstacles. Amy answered questions about SSD and SSI limits on employment and provided information about letters of accommodation for individuals with a disability or a medical condition.
Several clients expressed concern about the stress that accompanies most jobs. They were assured that, were they to begin a job, the agency would help them find ways to ease stress and would make the employer aware of the client’s mental health issue.
The array of jobs in which clients can be placed includes customer service positions, sales, information technology, restaurant work and teaching or teacher’s assistants. High Point Clients living in other counties will be referred to the employment agency in their home county. Those interested in furthering their education will be connected with the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
