Where We Stand

Unified Workforce Investment System

MHANJ has made important contributions to the initial stage of the Department of Labor’s planning process for a unified workforce investment system that will more fully integrate work related services for the State’s welfare recipients.

Based on MHANJ suggestions, the State Employment and Training Commission (SETC) mandated that the local planning groups be expanded to include professionals who have expertise in preparing mental health consumers for work.

The Department of Labor also advised local planning groups to consult MHANJ’s suggested “best practices” programs and supports from around the country that have contributed to successful outcomes for mental health consumers:

• Increase Identification Rate of Mental Health Consumers

  It is unrealistic to expect welfare workers to diagnose mental illness, but that is what will happen if each welfare branch does not house its own mental health practitioner who conducts assessments and provides referrals to appropriate counseling for each individual.  It takes a great deal of skill to identify mental health problems in others.  Indeed, a recent study showed a startlingly 50% of primary care physicians failed to recognize and treat depression in their patients.  The appropriate people must be linked with the appropriate     services to ensure that they will stay in the program.
   

• Caseworker Training
  
  Since anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 of the TANF population suffers from mental illness or a mental health related issue, caseworkers will be more effective if they are trained so that they can comfortably interact, and know how to work with people with disabilities, as well as  understand both accommodation and disclosure issues in communicating with employers.  Supervisors will also benefit from training so they can guide and be supportive of caseworkers changing the way they do their work.
   

• Cross Agency Coordination
  
  The most effective method of providing employment services to individuals with mental illnesses is to shift from enhancing long-term preparations for work, to identifying a plan to support the actual effort of obtaining competitive employment.  Establishing system level communication, collaboration, and integration among agencies with a focal point for bringing everyone together has met with the most success.
   

• Establish a Single/Consistent Point Person

  People with mental illnesses rely on relationships to resolve issues.  Often, job success depends on building a good relationship with someone on-site who can help the person with a mental illness feel more comfortable and less overwhelmed by all the agencies and programs with which they have to deal.
   

• Explore/Pursue Alternative Avenues

  It is sometimes very difficult to engage some TANF recipients with mental illness.  This may necessitate consideration of policy and follow up for those who fall through the cracks or fail repeatedly.
   

• Increase Mental Health Consumer/Public/Employer Understanding and Acceptance

  Many mental health consumers have had years of employment failure and been on and off public assistance for years.  Factors such as stigma, public misperception, programs that focus primarily on individuals with less serious disabilities, inadequate resources, and ineffective bureaucracies contribute to their history of frustration and fruitless search for work.  It is, therefore, important to devise a way to market the system so that mental health consumers and employers will buy into it.

For many individuals with mental illness, the obstacles to getting and keeping a job are numerous.  At the same time, improvements in treatment and advancements in community based rehabilitation services mean that many more people with serious mental illness are able to work.

For Your Information

GOOD NEWS:
NJ MEDICAID COVERAGE AND TEMPORARY DISABILITY COVERAGE AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS!

Ticket to Work/Work Incentives Improvement Act.  NJ WorkAbility.

New Jersey has developed a Medicaid Buy-In Program for employed individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 who are permanently disabled.  This program is being established under the authority of the federal Ticket to Work/Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, and Chapter 116 of the PL 2000 of New Jersey. The program provides full NJ Medicaid coverage for eligible applicants, subject to the payment of a modest monthly premium.

Purpose of the Program:  To provide an opportunity to purchase Medicaid coverage for persons with disabilities who are working   despite the presence of a disability, and whose earnings would otherwise disqualify them from Medicaid Coverage.

            Eligibility Criteria:  In order to meet the eligibility criteria, an individual must be:

   ·          Between the ages of 16 and 64

·         Have a permanent disability as determined by the Social Security Administration or Disability Review Team of the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services.

  ·     Be employed (full or part time)

     Income Guidelines:

·     Social Security Disability Benefits/Railroad Retirement System Benefits received by   the individual on their own account are disregarded (not counted).

·     Unearned Income (pensions, interest, private disability/retirement benefits, etc.) cannot exceed 100% of the federal  poverty level which is currently $749 for an individual and $1010 for a couple;

AND

·          earned income cannot exceed 250% of the federal poverty level.  With disregards, this means an individual can earn up to $45,684 per year ($3,807 per month) and still qualify as long as his/her unearned income does not exceed 100% of the federal poverty level.

     Resource Guidelines:

·     Assets must be $20,000 or less for an individual, $30,000 for a married couple. This does not include the value of a  vehicle used for medical and/or work transportation or the home in which the individual/couple lives.  Also excluded from the asset calculation are funds in an IRA/401K account.

     Premiums:

·     Individuals with income (after disregards) in excess of 150% of the federal poverty level are required to pay a monthly premium of $25 for their Medicaid coverage.  The premium is $50 for a married couple.

If you have any questions, need more information or want to start an application…Please call the NJ Division  of Disability Services (toll free) at 1-888-285-3036 or visit the website at http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dds/ticket-work.html

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DIVISION OF DISABILITY SERVICES: TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE

Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) pays cash benefits to workers who cannot work due to an illness or injury not caused by their work.   New Jersey is one of five states that provides TDI benefits.

Valid claimants must have 20 weeks employment in NJ and work in covered employment (exempted are some local government  positions, Federal employees and the self-employed).   The weekly benefit amount is based on individual’s average weekly wage.  Working consumers whose symptoms prevent them from working temporarily, are entitled to this benefit.  Claims are filed by mail or by visiting  www.nj.gov/labor.  Go to the Temporary Disability Benefits section to download a claims form.

Thumbs Up!

CONSUMER ADVOCATE OF THE MONTH

Jeanne Metzger has been a Community Outreach Advocate with the Mental Health Association in Passaic County since January of 2002.  She has distinguished herself as an advocate for consumers in the course of her client work and in participation on a variety of committees and advocacy events.  She is a member of the Consumer Advocacy Partnership, Passaic County Advocates for           Supportive Housing, and the Consumer Providers’ Association.  She is a graduate of Consumer Connections Core Training and the MICA Initiative.

Ms. Metzger has visited members of the Senate and Assembly and provided them with valuable information about issues and        concerns facing mental health consumers.  She has provided testimony at state venues and traveled to Washington during the      National Mental Health Association’s Annual Meeting and Legislative visits.  This past spring, she was a featured speaker during the mental health rally and was the “queen of the wheelbarrow” when she delivered the 1000 plus Governor’s Challenge letters to       Governor McGreevey, advocating against any cuts in the Mental Health Services Budget.  Her most recent advocacy initiative took place at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, where she spoke to all the Social Workers about her personal experiences, the value of Consumer Providers and the role of an advocate.  Wherever she goes she speaks from the heart and with conviction.

Join MHANJ’s Legislative Network! Contact
C. Chin at 973.571.4100 Ex. 37