Volume 5, Issue 3 September 2014

Employment Services 1202 Morena Blvd., Suite 201

San Diego, CA 92110

Main: 619-276-8071 Fax: 619-276-3542

employs-admin@mhsinc.org

Employment Services provides

assistance and support to people

with mental illness in securing

meaningful and sustaining regular

part-time and full-time jobs of

their choice. The program focuses

and builds on the client’s

strengths and abilities. Another

important element of the program

is learning how to manage symp-

toms that may interfere with find-

ing and keeping a job.

Employment Services is funded by the Department of Rehabiltation and County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

Work WORKS! Employment Services Newsletter

Inside this issue:

ES Jobs 2013-2014 ........ 1 Jobtoberfest ................... 1 Body Language …………2 Hope on the Hilltop……...3 Patricia’s Story…………..3 Staying Healthy .............. 4 ES Staff……………....5 & 6

~ Coming in October ~

Jobtoberfest A Job Fair for People with ABILITIES -not disabilities

10 AM to 2 PM Tuesday, October 14, 2014 Balboa Park Club—Balboa Park 2144 Pan American Rd W San Diego, CA

Networking opportunities! Workshops and more!

Bring your resume and dress for success!

Administrative Assistant Food Preparer Merchandise Associate

Assistant Aide Food Preparer/Stocker Museum Store Rep.

Bakery Clerk Food Server Office Assistant

Bellringer Front Desk Receptionist Painter

Bookstore Helper Gen. Helper Peer Support Specialist

Busser Gen. Laborer Pest Control Technician

Café Server Home Décor Associate Prep Cook

Caregiver Host Presenter

Cashier Housekeeper Runner

Clerical Administrative In-Home Caregiver Sales Associate

Counselor Insurance Agent Sandwich Maker

Courtesy Clerk Interviewer Security Guard

Deli Clerk Janitor Teacher’s Aide

Dishwasher Laundry Service Telephone Sales Rep

Driver Maintenance Usher

Types of jobs our participants got during FY 2013-2014

Is your next job here?

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Home Office: 9465 Farnham Street,

San Diego, CA 92123

P (858) 573-2600

F (858) 573-2602

mhsinc.org

The Commission on Ac-

creditation of Rehabilitation

Facilities (CARF)

announced that Mental

Health Systems (MHS),

Employment Services pro-

gram has been accredited

for a period of three years

for its community employ-

ment services: Job develop-

ment, job support and job

site training. The latest ac-

creditation is the fifth con-

secutive three-year accredi-

tation that the international

accrediting body has award-

ed to MHS, Employment

Services.

This decision represents the

highest level of accredita-

tion that can be awarded to

an organization and shows

the organization’s substan-

tial conformance to the

CARF standards.

Body Language and the Interview Taken from CareerBuilder.com & lasocareers.com

Your heart feels ready to leap out of your chest. Beads of sweat build on your forehead. Your mind is racing. It's not a full-blown in-terrogation -- although it may feel like it -- it's just a job interview. While it's no secret that job interviews can be nerve-racking, a lot of job candidates spend a significant amount of time worrying about what they will say during their interview, only to blow it all with their body language. The old adage, "It's not what you say, it's how you say it," still holds meaning, even if you're not talking. You need to effectively communicate your professionalism both verbally and nonverbally because, watching your nonverbal cues, delivering concise answers and expressing your enthusiasm, all at once can be difficult when you're nervous. Experts in kinetics, the study of body movements, estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communi-cate; facial expressions, body movements and actions convey the rest. During an interview, what you convey nonverbally may be as important as what you say. Keep these body language clues in mind as you interview: Facial Expression: Eyes are a key nonverbal indicator. Looking away indicates shyness, dislike or lack of interest. Eye contact indicates a desire for communication, feed-back and friendliness. Make and keep eye contact, but don’t stare the interviewer down.

Voice and Gestures: Speaking loudly, rapidly, or in a high pitch can convey anger or anxiety. Boredom can be expressed by a moderate volume and monotonous inflection. A well-modulated voice with a moderate pitch and inflection conveys interest and appropriate excitement.

Posture: The way you sit or stand can convey energy or fatigue, interest or boredom. Walk and sit with a confident air. You’re trying to appear re-laxed, but attentive. Lean toward an interview-er to indicate interest and enthusiasm.

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“Hope on the Hilltop” PET Graduate of Class #30

Shirley S. When Shirley graduated from Peer Employment Training’s (PET), “HOPE on the Hilltop” Class #30 offered by Recovery Innovations, earlier this year, she had come a long way. Shirley had gall bladder surgery in 2011, that she says, “went very wrong – everything that could go wrong did!” This resulted in “lots of pain pills.” As Shirley was weaned off pain medications, depression start-ed setting in. “I cried constantly – I couldn’t go anywhere or talk to people.” She started seeing a psychiatrist and was referred to groups. “I attended all the groups I could. I sat through the first six groups and cried, not speaking. I slowly started participating.” Shirley said others in the groups told her over and over that “tears help heal.” As Shirley and her psychiatrist went over her history, she was able to realize that her mental health issues started at age 18; she and her doctor were able to see the cyclical nature of her mental health challenges. Shirley was diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder. About six weeks in, after the complete diagnostic phase, her doctor pre-scribed medications. Shirley continued group work and, “repeated groups, too. The more I learned about the disease the easier it got for me.” Shirley completed WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) offered by Recovery Innovations. “Everyone told me to take PET, saying, ‘You’d be good at it.’ WRAP made me feel that recovery was possible. The more I learned the more I wanted to learn, so I took PET. When I finished PET in May, I started volunteering at the Mariposa Clubhouse co-facilitating groups, sometimes with another PET graduate, sometimes with a staff member, Anger Management, Boundaries, and Self-Esteem.” Shirley started with Employment Services, while still completing PET. “Although I haven’t found a job in Peer Support as yet, I did find a cashier job. The skills I learned in PET; listening, using “I” statements, eye contact, coming from a place of kindness, and living in the moment, are helping me be successful in the job. I take each customer in the moment, taking interest in them, greeting them, and helping them. PET has helped me with my communication skills. I personally believe everyone should take PET – they should start teaching it in grade school! It would make the world a better place.” Shirley added, “I am still adjusting to my work schedule, so I am taking a break from facilitating groups, but I hope to get back to it soon.”

Patricia’s Story

My name is Patricia and a year ago when my doctor referred me to MHS Employment Ser-vices I was depressed, had a bad attitude, was working nights and unsure of my future. A year later I am a Clerk for the Board of Supervisors with the County of San Diego. The professionals at Employment Services are kind, respectful and experts in their field. Each and every person sin-cerely cares and is quite capable of fulfilling every single aspect of your employment questions and needs. There is one goal and one goal only and if you are blessed to have them on your team, I can only assure you of one thing..........Success!

4

Staying Healthy

Smoking Cessation

How to Get or Give Help Taken from nobutts.org

The California Smoker’s Helpline 1-800-NO-BUTTS, has great resources for those try-ing to quit smoking or for those trying to help friends and family quit. The helpline is free to anyone in the state of California and those calling can speak to a caring, trained professional. The services are availa-ble in 6 different languages and plans for smoking cessation are personalized for individuals based on a helpful self-assessment (available for easy download on the website) that helps individuals identify why they smoke in the first place. There is also great ma-terials available for those trying to encourage or sup-port a friend or loved one who is trying to quit, in a way that avoids nagging and allows for people to move at their own pace. One of the 1-800-NO-BUTTS handouts offered these tidbits of information for those quitting smoking and their friends and family. It’s important to remember:

Relapse is common.

The first two weeks are usually hardest (allow for bad moods during withdrawal period).

Strong negative emotions, being around other smokers, and drinking alcohol are the most com-mon reasons that people go back to smoking.

Additional help can be accessed in other ways:

Contact your local clubhouse or talk to the recep-tionist at your clinic, as some of these offer sup-port meetings like WHAM (Whole Health Action Management) where you can set your own health goals and receive support. WHAM requires a 12 week commitment and can offer much needed support in the early days of trying to quit, or if you tried to stop smoking on their own but haven't been able to stick to it.

And remember, reducing or quitting smoking can greatly improve overall health and stamina which is especially important for those wanting to work.

How to Stay Healthy at a Desk Job article from ukbkickboxing.com

Having an office job keeps you locked into your chair in front of the computer for most of your work day. The lack of movement isn’t the great-est for your body and health. Many people find that they gain weight once starting an office job. Your joints will tend to get stiff and sore as well. Here are a few things to try doing to stay healthy and active while having an office job: While we’re all not fortunate enough to be able to walk or bike to work, try getting off one bus stop early before your final stop or parking your car at the far end of the lot. Adding in the extra walking will help. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. The more stairs you can walk on, the better. Drink lots of water while at work. It is recommend-ed to drink over 2 liters of water per day for your health. A good way to get through that amount would be while at work. It’ll also get you up and walking to the washroom more instead of staying at your desk the entire time. If you’re able to eat while on the job instead of dur-ing actual lunch breaks, gap out your meals into smaller meals that you can eat at work every 2-3 hours. This will help speed up your metabolism. Keep in mind that you should be doing this outside of the office too if you choose to this. By also doing this eating method, you can use your lunch breaks to go for a walk instead of using it to eat a big lunch. Move your legs around while at your desk by doing things such as doing a running motion with your legs or leg extensions. This will help reduce sore-ness and stiffness. Don’t forget to stretch your body while at your desk. You can do overhead tricep presses with a water bottle plus side bends and ab twists in your chair. Make sure you are sitting ergonomically at your workstation. This will help reduce soreness and stiffness. All of these should contribute towards getting your body and health through a work day! Keep in mind that this still doesn’t replace working out outside of work hours, always remember that every little bit helps and counts!

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Elizabeth "Liz" Magana, Administrative Assistant Elizabeth started with Mental Health Systems in July 2010 with San Diego Employment So-lutions as an Administrative Assistant. She transferred to Employment Services in October 2011. Elizabeth is responsible for inputting all client information into a database, and as-sists clients and staff with clerical support and co-facilitates South ES/DOR Informational Sessions. She greets staff and clients with a smile and cheerful voice. Elizabeth is bilin-gual in English and Spanish.

Skyler Samaniego, Employment Specialist, South Bay Skyler has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and his work experience includes being a mental health counselor in an acute and outpatient psychiatric facility, case manager for troubled adolescents and an alcohol and drug case manager. Skyler is bilingual in English and Spanish. He has been with Employment Services since 2004.

Kathy Young, SHRM Member, Regional Job Developer Kathy has a degree in business administration and has worked with individuals with multiple barriers to employment since 1998. Prior to going into social work, she was a business owner and an HR Manager. She has worked for the County of San Diego for Welfare-To-Work, CalWORKs, and as a Supervisor for ACS (formerly Lockheed Martin). As a Job Developer/Business Service Strategist her primary function is employer outreach and

development. She was awarded the “Vocational Support Person of the Year” in 2012. Kathy has been with Employment Services since 2008.

Kay Masaryk, MS, CPRP , Program Manager

Kay offers a variety of experience with operations and mental health counseling. As Program Manager, she is responsible for the general operation of Employment Services. Her responsibilities include staff training and management, budget review, program problem solving, development and agency representation with Department of Rehabilitation, San Diego County Behavioral Health and CARF accrediting surveyors. She was awarded the “Vocational Support Person of the Year” in 2014. She has worked for over 35 year in mental health services and been with Employment Services since 2002.

Meet Your Employment Services’ Team

April Longhurst, Office Manager April has been with MHS Employment Services since 2001. She started as the Administrative Assistant and is now Office Manager. She has served on the MHS, Cultural Competency Committee, ES Risk and Accessibility Committee and is currently the ES Safety Officer. April was awarded the “Administrative Support Person of the Year” in 2013 from the San Diego Behavioral Health Recognition Committee.

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Meet Your Employment Services’ Team

Lourdes Arce, Employment Specialist, East County Lourdes is originally from Lima, Peru. Her work experience includes over 12 years in social services, providing case management support to adults. She has worked with clients on probation, helping them with case management and working with them to overcome barriers to employment. She also worked with Cal WORKs for 2 years. Lourdes is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has been with Employment Services since September 2010.

Luis A. Blanco Jr., Employment Specialist, Central Region Luis is a former New York City Paramedic, and a State of California Employment Program Representative. As a vocational instructor for over 17 years, he has worked with various organizations in San Diego County and out of state. He coordinated with agencies to develop relationships in order to gain access to programs, employment opportunities, and other services. Specializing in job development services for clients with multiple barriers, long-term unemployed, monolingual, disabled, and ex-offenders, provides Luis a well rounded approach to job development. He has been with ES since Sept 2011.

Tanya Booth, M.S., C.R.C., Employment Specialist, Central & North Inland Regions Tanya is a graduate of the Rehabilitation Counseling Master’s Program at San Diego State University and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has an Advance Certificate specializing in mental health. She interned with the Department of Rehabilitation for over a year with a focus on individuals with a mental health diagnoses. She has several years experience working with individuals with various disabilities and the homeless populations. Tanya has been with ES since August 2011.

Helen Ravanelli, Employment Specialist, North Coastal Region Helen received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Biola University in 2012 and joined the Employment Services team in 2013. She has been providing employment and education related services since 1994 in a variety of settings such as colleges, universities, temporary staffing agencies, welfare to work programs, MHS’s Mariposa Clubhouse. Helen was awarded one of Recovery Innovation’s, “This Person Award” in 2013.

Raymond Zambo, MS, MFT, Employment Specialist , Central “There is no barrier that can hold back a motivated and enthusiastic candidate.” This philosophy has aided Ray to be successful when working with clients who have a disability. With a Masters in counseling and as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he works to create balance within a client's life so they may be victorious with whatever they set out to do. Ray has been with Employment Services since 2001.