The Win-Win Workplace Workshop a Success

Yesterday morning marked our first-ever employment workshop for both mental health consumers and employers. Titled "The Win-Win Workplace: Creating Opportunities for Meaningful Employment," the event attracted nearly 100 attendees to the Dept. of Human Services building in downtown Pittsburgh. Hosted by NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania in partnership with the Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services' Employment Transformation Committee, the workshop was supported by funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA #93.786).  Special thanks to our esteemed and well-informed panelists and speakers for helping to make the day a success!

NAMI's Lora Dziemiela and Susan Harrington greet guests at the registration table.

Mercy Behavioral Health exhibited at the event, along with Goodwill, ACHIEVA, the Dept. of Human Services and of course NAMI.

NAMI Executive Director Chris Michaels and Mary Jo Dickson, administrator of the Bureau of Adult Mental Health Services at the Office of Behavioral Health, welcomed guests and kicked off the event.

NAMI's Sara Levine was instrumental in the workshop's success and handled the audio visual equipment at the event.

NAMI's Paul Freund gave an overview of the workshop.

Our first panelist was Joy Smith of AHEDD. She discussed working and SSI/SSDI benefits.

Janice Meinert of Pennsylvania Health Law Project gave an information overview of Medical Assistance health insurance and full-time work.

ACHIEVA's Lynda Marnoni talked to the audience about community supports for employment.

Samson Murage (left) of the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board offered information about job opportunities in the Pittsburgh region; Carol Horowitz of Disability Rights Network of PA covered the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and NAMI's Alan Corn gave a talk titled "Best Practices for Employee Supports and Success."

Mike Gruber, the systems transformation coordinator at the Office of Behavioral Health, wrapped up the program and asked the audience for input.

After the event, attendees spent some time with the exhibitors, collecting information on employment and related topics.