Schedule:  Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Flexibility required 

Pay Scale: $11.12 (Grade 6)

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

• High School diploma/GED required.  College degree preferred.
• At least six months of experience working with people who have mental illness; one year is preferred.  (Will consider internship experience with college degree in a relevant field OR two years of human service experience).
• Able and willing to work directly with and alongside program members performing job readiness, club tasks, and job training in a variety of  basic, manual jobs and tasks.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record and own vehicle required.
• Demonstrate respect for the rights and abilities of people with disabilities and ability to work with a member empowerment philosophy.
• Strong adaptability, sense of responsibility and initiative, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
• Strong  Computer Skills
• Bi-Lingual/bi-cultural strongly encouraged to apply                      

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work with members developing person-centered plans specific to employment.
2. Coordinate job readiness activities with members.
3. Work side by side with program members to engage, motivate, coordinate and complete all unit tasks.
4. Provide career counseling and pre-vocation/job readiness activities in the unit in addition to providing benefits/entitlement education and training to members.
5. Work in the Transitional Employment program (jobsite training, support and absence coverage) and help staff the club’s evening, weekend and holiday program.
6. Serve as advisor to a caseload of members providing advocacy and support.
7. Assist members in establishing employment or education goals.
8. Assist program manager and other units as needed.
9. Maintain confidential member files.
10. Keep required records and submit required reports.                                                       
11. Work individually and cooperatively to maintain and improve high quality program services.
12. Work in accordance with I.C.C.D. clubhouse model and CARF standards.
13. Assist members in learning computer skills through daily unit work.

HRU’s mental health programs have been meeting to develop and implement a smoking cessation program in each of our clubs. The focus is on assisting members and staff to learn more about the harmful effects of smoking and to provide resources and support when they make the decision to quit.  With support from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, we were able to purchase materials to aid in the project, including Co2 meters that measure the level of carbon monoxide of individuals, as well as nicotine patches, Nicorette gum and other resources.

The kick-off for the “Smoking Cessation Project” will be the week of June 4^th.  Each of the programs will first have a one hour training conducted by Health New England and then will begin to implement the structure of this robust project. The support tools will include educational resources, a smoking education weekly meeting, an educational table with Co2 meter, patches, and other resources at least weekly, health assessments and daily check-ins with individuals who have made the decision to cut down on their smoking or to quit, celebrations when members have quit, and ongoing support, mentoring and coaching to help members and staff begin to lead healthier more active lives.

We are excited to begin this process and will be tracking “success”, as HRU moves towards a SMOKE FREE CAMPUS in the summer.

Stay tuned for more information on our progress.

For information and resources regarding smoking, go to the following websites:

              Mass Public Health Clearinghouse  www.maclearninghouse.com

              Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence  www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/#order

              Centers for disease Control website  www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

              Learning about health living manual  http://rwjms2.umdnj.edu/pdapweb/LAHL.htm

              Destination Tobacco-Free manual  www.whf.org/DestinationtobaccoFree/

Kim’s Desk Before CARF              Lu’s Desk Before CARF   

Here at the StarLight Center everyone was very busy while getting ready for the CARF accreditors . Every one really pulled together getting the clubhouse in better shape than it already was, of course. Every ‘I’ was dotted, no ‘T’ was left uncrossed. We suddenly remembered Star Light still had one BIG problem, Lu and Kim’s office. Before they knew it, Lu and Kim were dealing with their own clean-up frenzy. As seen above in the first picture their office was a ‘tad disorganized’ UNTIL the pressure of CARF grew closer. Kim and Lu became a united front and formed a two person cleaning crew. As seen in the results section below we see a new cleaner version of what an office might look like. Although there is still clutter on Lu’s desk (because she is a busy lady) the one thing that will never change is the beloved picture of her duck and a big ol’ cup of Joe!

Updates from Forum House

Here in Westfield, spring has sprung! There’s a noticeable “spring” in the steps of members and staff as we are enjoying the early arrival of the season.  

Our Learning Resource Center has been very busy supporting members attending college and GED programs. We are proud of those members who are working hard on their education. We currently have members enrolled in both of the Westfield GED programs. Forum House has been fortunate to have two part time college interns from Westfield State University this academic year. They are a critical component in helping members prepare for educational experiences outside of the clubhouse. The interns provide an outside perspective as they work side by side with members to learn and strengthen computer skills and other important skills needed to be a confident student.   

Once again, Frank Maher has given an opportunity for one of our members as a custodian in the Westfield Public Schools.  This position has the potential to lead to a full time position in the next year or two, as need rises.  Thank you Frank and Westfield Public Schools for being longtime Forum House supporters! 

Job development has produced full time employment opportunity but no part time as of yet. Trends are showing employers are looking for clean CORI’s, high school diploma or GED, and periodic drug screenings. Employers are looking for the right person for the right job – it’s expensive to have to re-hire and re-train employees who aren’t a good match.  In Forum House’s favor, employers appreciate using our employment services because we save them time and money, and provide high quality, loyal employees.

Schedule:  Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with some evenings and holidays 

Grade 7:  entry $28,720 salaried

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

• Prefer: Bachelor’s in related field with two years of mental health experience.
• Will consider Associates, High School diploma or GED with two years human service experience.
• Strong interpersonal, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills and ability to communicate with different constituent groups.
• Psychiatric rehabilitation experience preferred.
• Experience in marketing, job development and networking.
• Demonstrate respect for the rights and abilities of people with disabilities.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record and own vehicle.
• Prefer also: Clubhouse mode or vocational/training program experience.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) strongly desired.

 SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsible for overall coordination of individual employment placement and support services for participants referred by lead DMH provider, including  job development, identification of needs and priorities.
2. Develop and maintain relationships with employers.
3. Represent agency at various networking events and functions for the purpose of developing job leads and marketing HRU
4. Collaborate and coordinate services with CBFS treatment team
5. Oversee career planning process, including assessments, identification of needs and development of career goals.
6. Serve as primary contact for program participants in areas relating to benefits and entitlements.

Here’s what members and staff  had to say about it:

• “Everyone needs to do the footwork to feel healthy. The most important thing is that you try.” 
• “The display was very impressive and the materials were very informative. The  technician was very professional and I liked the little prizes.” 
• “I wish to stop smoking and stop eating so much.”
• “Exercise and good eating habits really help to keep one fit.” 
• “It was very eye opening to see the affects smoking has on my body” 
• “I felt comfortable asking questions and received answers that made sense to me.” 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) –   It’s a popular spot for running, biking and walking but believe it or not the Agawam River Walk  is in the unhealthiestcounty in the state.

According to the County by County Health Rankings, Hampden County ranks 14 out of 14 in the Baystate.

“In Hampden County we keep hearing people don’t feel safe in their neighborhood.  It’s not a ‘walkable” place,” said Sarah Bankert with Western Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities.

Bankert says the study helps identify the issues certain counties face.  The study  looked at everything from mortality to obesity,  health screenings, smoking and more. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE!

See the County Health Report for Hamden County here!, Franklin County Report here! and the Hampshire county Report here!

HRU has developed Changing Habits Transforming Lives (CHTL) , an innovative, comprehensive program that focuses on helping individuals to improve their job readiness, employment options, job retention, and overall quality of life by integrating neuroscience and physical activity within a customized learning environment.

On March 12, 2012, HRU launched its 3^rd and 4^th CHTL job readiness pilot programs, with a total of 35 members participating at 2 new locations, L.A. Fitness in Springfield and Tradewinds in Southbridge, MA.  Participants will engage in a 16 week customized curriculum that incorporates exercise and active learning concepts to improve their ability to manage stress, handle conflict, deal with illness, obtain and retain employment, leading to an improved overall quality of life. The approach will serve to engage, motivate and excite individuals to participate fully in making a commitment to change their habits and develop a healthier, more productive life style, enabling them to become better role models in their families and in their communities.

HRU continues to test and refine this prototype program and is in need of partners who specialize in the areas of healthcare, research, and data collection to bring this project to full scale. In addition, we need employer partners who are interested in providing job opportunities to our graduates. For more information on HRU’s Changing Habits Transforming Lives program, please contact Kathleen Plante at (413) 781-5359 x 111 or via email at gro.urhnull@etnalpK.

HRU’s staff does an incredible job, every day, assisting the individuals they serve as they strive to reach their goals. To help support our staff, HRU will be introducing a wellness initiative over the next several months. We are partnering with Health New England to develop a comprehensive Wellness Program that will include a variety of options. The Wellness Program is being kicked off by Health Fairs conducted at all seven HRU locations. These Health Fairs include health screenings, stress management, and nutrition education. Participants can learn their blood pressure, check their knowledge on the Nutrition Wheel, and take away a great video on shopping healthy in the grocery store. HRU hopes employees will take advantage of this opportunity to take as good care of themselves as they do of our members. HNE and HRU look forward to working together on a healthy new start this spring!

by Laura Hutchinson WWLP 22 News

Consumer Reports’ National Research Center asked drivers to rank common gripes by most annoying, at the top of their list was texting while driving and able-bodied drivers parking in handicapped spots.

That’s a problem Phynetta Moran says she’s been dealing with her entire life. “I go out in a group sometimes and there’s no handicapped spaces so I have to park away from the door,” Moran said.

Read more here!