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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 23, 2005 Schemel Lewis, 35, of Medford disinfects railings at the Rogue Valley Mall. She�s part of a successful pilot program that helps severely, persistently mentally ill people enter the work force. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Willing to work Mentally disabled residents gain a helping hand, find fulfilling jobs in the valley By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Schemel Lewis’ shift didn’t start for another 20 minutes, but she was already on duty by 10:40 Tuesday morning, arranging cleaning supplies in her rolling cart at the Rogue Valley Mall. For the 39-year-old Medford woman, the 25 hours she spends each week scrubbing bathrooms and wiping railings are anything but menial labor. As a person determined to balance mental illness and steady employment, Lewis says her job is central to her life. "It’s probably the most exciting thing I do all day," she says. Lewis is one of some 60 Jackson County residents who’ve gotten jobs, gone to school or gained new skills through a program aimed at helping severely, persistently mentally ill people enter the work force. Advertisement Starting in May, Jackson County joined four other Oregon counties and six U.S. states in a pilot program funded by $180,000 in grants from Johnson & Johnson and the Dartmouth University Community Mental Health Program. "The goal is competitive employment," says Crystal McMahon, manager of Employment Works, a program of Options for Southern Oregon Inc. "It’s having our people working side-by- side with everyone else." The nonprofit agency recently won a $14,000-a-month county contract to provide assisted employment services for the mentally ill. Traditionally, people diagnosed with illnesses ranging from depression and bipolar disorder to schizophrenia have been virtually excluded from the work world. "People with severe mental illness typically have a jobless rate of up to 90 percent," says Bob Nikkel, an administrator with the state’s mental health and addiction services office. With help that integrates mental health services with job training, however, that figure can decline significantly, McMahon says. Since May, nearly 60 percent of people enrolled in the local program have found work or training, she says. "It’s like a new philosophy instead of the old medical model," McMahon says. Success depends on matching people who are able to work with employers who want to hire. So far, there’s no shortage of either, organizers say. In addition to the 61 people already enrolled, about 20 people with diagnosed mental illnesses remain on a waiting list for the program, McMahon says. "We don’t have any criteria other than the person says they’re willing to work," McMahon says. But that willingness typically comes only after clients have gained control of their mental illness, usually through a combination of medication, therapy and behavior modification, says Leo Hoersting, an employment coordinator. "These individuals are at a point that they’re being well-managed," Hoersting says. That’s reassuring for potential employers, many of whom are quite willing to hire mentally ill people — as long as they are dependable, capable workers. "Our goal is to provide them a quality employee," Hoersting says. "We have a lot of people in the program where you would never know there’s an illness." In fact, clients can choose whether employers are notified that they’re part of the mental health assistance program, he says. The pilot project requires that potential employers pay at least minimum wage and positions be open to any job-seeker, not just the disabled. So far, more than 65 employers have been contacted and more than two dozen have hired people through the Employment Works program. They include large firms such as Fred Meyer, McDonald’s, Wendy’s and the Mail Tribune as well as smaller businesses such as the Stratford Inn and Advantage Personnel. The primary benefit for employers is finding a motivated worker who really appreciates the job, says Dan Rightnour, manager with the Millard Group, which contracts to provide cleaning services at the Rogue Valley Mall. "It’s kind of weird, but they’re actually happy to be here," says Rightnour, who hired Lewis and another worker through the program. "All the benefits outweigh any apprehension I would have." Because the clients are ill, there is the chance that they will become "symptomatic" at work, McMahon acknowledges. So far, however, the worst incidents have involved hurt feelings when the workers worried that they would be fired over real or perceived mistakes. "It’s a matter of misinterpreting social cues," McMahon says. "We’ve found a little extra feedback from employers is very helpful." In the three months Lewis has been on the job, Rightnour and her direct supervisor, Al Snyder, have been more than pleased. Minor misunderstandings about schedule times and transportation problems were quickly resolved with the help of Jody Luney, Lewis’ employment coordinator. Mostly, Lewis has been a steady, dedicated worker, her supervisors say. "She’s a crackerjack," said Snyder. "She jumps in and gets things done." At first, the $7.25-an-hour job was tough to master, said Lewis. With more than 100 stores and several public bathrooms, the mall is a big place — and people are messy. "The hardest part of the job is remembering things," said Lewis, who declined to describe her specific illness. But the best part of the job — aside from break time and the good shopping options — is the sense of satisfaction she gets from being part of the crew. "It’s going pretty good," Lewis said. "It’s just like a family here." For information about Employment Works and Options for Southern Oregon Inc., contact McMahon at 774-7820. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail Willing to work ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s