Home Mission Statement President's Letter HIPAA Guide to Services Services Annual Report Fact Sheet Contributions Events Articles Newsletters Travel Directions Links To Other Sites Job Openings

 

    Riverdale Mental Health Association

Supported Employment Program

Serving the community since 1959

  The Riverdale Mental Health Association is a non-profit, independent agency that has been providing a range of mental health services since 1959.  RMHA offers individual, group and family therapy, child and adolescent treatment, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, a day treatment program and supportive housing, supported employment, and mental health consultation to schools and community organizations.

 Since its inception in 1996, the RMHA Supported Employment Program has helped many participants to find and maintain jobs in the competitive job market. Staff members are experienced professionals with specialized training in supported employment for individuals with mental health disabilities.  The Program’s modern facilities include group meeting rooms, an 8-station computer room, and participant space with phone and internet access.

 The RMHA Supported Employment Program is funded by the New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and by the New York State Office of Mental Health.

  Supported Employment Program

Job placement and job retention services for adults with mental health disabilities.

Program Director: Rita L. Liegner, M.S.Ed., CPRP

 Contact Information

Riverdale Mental Health Association

5676 Riverdale Avenue – 2nd floor

Bronx, New York 10471

Tel: 718-796-5300

Fax: 718-548-1161

Email: rliegner@rmha.org

 

 

ELIGIBILITY 

·        18 years of age or older

·        Resident of New York City or Westchester County

·        Diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness as the primary disability.

·        Able to attend our program 2 or 3 days a week until a job is secured.

·        Eligible for supported employment services through New York State VESID.    Program staff will help qualified applicants establish VESID eligibility. 

 SERVICES

Pre-employment Services

·        VESID eligibility screening and referral

·        Vocational assessment

·        Resume preparation

·        Interview skills training

·        Job Club

·        Job development and job placement

·        Computer skills for the workplace

·        Benefits counseling

·        Peer support

 

 Services for Employed Clients

·        Work adjustment support

·        Job coaching and advocacy, either at or away from job location.

·        Career Club meetings

·        Job placement assistance in event of job loss.

·        No time limit on duration of services

 ABOUT THE RMHA SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

 The RMHA supported employment program offers job placement and employment support for adults with serious mental illness. Our program's mission rests on the belief that productive work is an important element in treatment and recovery.

 The goals of the Supported Employment Program are:

 ·        To help participants find jobs as quickly as possible.

·        To help participants stay employed by providing support and advocacy. 

 Participants represent a wide range of age groups, education levels and work backgrounds.  Some have never worked in competitive jobs; others have worked for many years but now need support to return to work.  A range of services is available to meet different needs.

 Examples of jobs held by our program's participants include: paralegal, pharmacist, teacher’s assistant, computer programmer, secretary, speech therapist, food service worker, medical secretary, stock clerk, cashier, bank teller, messenger, receptionist, administrative assistant, retail sales clerk, job coach, nursing assistant, sales manager, research interviewer, taxi driver, bus driver, merchandiser, photographer and many more.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications to our supported employment program are accepted at any time. We welcome inquiries from prospective participants and treatment providers. For application forms, to schedule a visit, or to arrange for a representative to visit your agency, please see contact information section.

 Individuals with active VESID cases may be referred directly by their VESID Counselors.

 Our Program offers fast acceptance of eligible applicants. Generally, applicants may expect to begin participation in the program within 4 weeks of submitting required application materials including a psychiatric report from the applicant’s treatment provider.