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HUD’s Role in Supporting the Goals of Olmstead
In a landmark ruling on June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that the unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires public entities to administer services, programs, and...
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Employment Opportunities Off the Battlefield Help Veterans Combat Mental Health Challenges
People are most fulfilled when their career goals lead to financial security, personal identity, and meaningful contributions to community. For a significant number of individuals, many of whom are military veterans, nothing would be more fulfilling and mentally stimulating than simply landing a...
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Employment, Quality of Life and Recovery
The notion that people who experience mental health challenges can and do recover has garnered a lot of attention in the peer, provider and policy making worlds; it is the subject of international research, practice change, and national efforts to reform our mental health system. In part, this...
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Ending Veteran Homelessness on Long Island
In 2011 President Obama, Department of Defense Secretary Eric Shinseki and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a five-year plan to end veteran homelessness in the United States. The announcement was backed up by record funds to help achieve this goal. VASH vouchers (Veterans Administration...
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From A Home to A Career
Rock-solid bottom line: I could never keep a job without mental health supportive housing. I can’t even imagine maintaining a viable employment search from a friend’s couch, a city shelter, or a preferred bench at Penn Station. It almost came down to shelters or train stations ten years ago....
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Housing and Employment: Key Components of Behavioral Health Reform
Housing is one of the most important recovery supports for many people who struggle with substance use disorder. There is also a very strong link between recovery from substance use disorder and economic self-sufficiency, including employment. These two support services very often go hand in hand....
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Housing and Employment, The Foundation for Recovery: Keeping the Focus in a Changing Environment
Across the country, conversations are taking place about integrated, community- based employment for individuals with disabilities. There are also conversations about housing individuals with disabilities in the community, in the least restrictive environment. Traditionally, issues of housing and...
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Housing and Employment: Cornerstones of Self-Directed Recovery
I recently heard from a New York State supported housing consumer who said, “Starting over with no place to live, no money, food or furniture can be terribly overwhelming. It was then that my counselor introduced me to Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. I found out their Residential Services...
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Creating Culture Change: NYC Tackles Housing and Employment
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), together with community partners and providers, is working to increase access to employment and affordable housing for all people with mental illnesses. Local governments, including health departments, are ideally positioned to...
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Behavioral Health Services Critical to Success of Managed Care in NYS
As New York State implements healthcare reform, Medicaid re-design, and the integration of primary care and behavioral healthcare, substance use and mental health disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services will have to play an important role if the hoped for transformation is to be...