Helping Hoosiers to work
Even as many businesses closed down in the spring and summer -- many of which may turn out to be permanent -- Aspire Indiana Health continued to help Hoosiers to work.
Our Employment Services team works directly with people who have struggled with mental health or substance use challenges that have limited their ability to find and keep jobs. In some cases, it has been many years since they were gainfully employed and they lack the skills or confidence to try to get a job.
Through a combination of coaching, encouragement, skills training (including Vocational Rehabilitation) and a muscular referral partnership with area employers, our team connects people to the workforce, one success story at a time.
Currently, employment services is working with more than 200 clients -- a number that has not dipped during the pandemic. They actually saw an increase in the number of referrals in May and June. Recently Aspire has been able to make contact with all new referrals within 24 hours of receiving them. Clients who are qualified under Indiana’s Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) are generally assigned to an employment services coordinator right away.
And our work doesn’t end when a client’s new job begins. Aspire continues to work with and support them in their new positions, often communicating with the employer to overcome any obstacles and find accommodations that make them more valuable employees.
“On average, all of our clients make significantly higher than minimum wage and none of our clients are placed into jobs that don’t pay fairly,” saysKathleen Bowers, Manager of Employment Services.
