New info!
Employment Subcommittee
Mission and Goals
SMHPC Employment Subcommitte
Meeting Minutes
Hi! The Employment Subcommittee has a new regular meeting schedule:
the 3rd Wednesday of every month, from 1-2, via zoom.
Dec 15, 2021 01:00 PM
Jan 19, 2022 01:00 PM
Feb 16, 2022 01:00 PM
Mar 16, 2022 01:00 PM
Apr 20, 2022 01:00 PM
May 18, 2022 01:00 PM
Jun 15, 2022 01:00 PM
Jul 20, 2022 01:00 PM
Aug 17, 2022 01:00 PM
Sep 21, 2022 01:00 PM
Oct 19, 2022 01:00 PM
Nov 16, 2022 01:00 PM
Dec 21, 2022 01:00 PM
Jan 18, 2023 01:00 PM
Feb 15, 2023 01:00 PM
Mar 15, 2023 01:00 PM
Apr 19, 2023 01:00 PM
May 17, 2023 01:00 PM
Jun 21, 2023 01:00 PM
Subcommittee meetings are open to the public.
If you would like to attend, please contact
Michael.Stepansky@mass.gov
for information.
We are happy to have you!
Thank you!
MA Department of Mental Health
State Mental Health Planning Council (SMHPC)
Employment Subcommittee
MISSION
Advocate for the full and equitable integration of employment and career services into the full array
of DMH supports for the purpose of enabling individuals to work towards full recovery in the
communities of their choice.
VISION
All public and private agencies and partnerships serving people whose lives have been disrupted
by trauma and serious mental health challenges value the importance of employment as a critical
element of the recovery process and work collaboratively to create opportunities and reduce
barriers to employment.
PHILOSOPHY
Employment is one of the essential elements of life in our society. All members of society should
be given the opportunity to participate in employment without discrimination. This includes people
whose lives have been disrupted by trauma and serious mental health challenges.
While gainful employment improves the long-term recovery for adults with serious mental health
challenges, research suggests that young adults of color face significant systemic barriers that
impede their vocational success. These barriers include a history of poverty, unstable housing, poor
quality schools, disproportionate involvement with the criminal justice system, and common and
everyday discrimination. Working to lessen the impact of these systemic barriers to employment for
adults of color with serious mental health challenges is incumbent upon DMH, its providers, and
this Subcommittee.
STRATEGIES
Advocate for DMH to focus on employment of individuals served as a critical and necessary
component of recovery; and to ensure that funding is aligned with that priority.
Determine and meet the specific vocational and educational needs and preferences of
disenfranchised groups who experience mental health disruptions, often based on race, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.
Gather information, data and research on promising vocational rehabilitation, employment and
education practices for individuals with significant mental health conditions. Make
recommendations based on this information; monitor the implementation of these
recommendations; and advocate for the resources to operationalize them.
Ensure that applicable state agencies and employment providers have the necessary resources
inclusive of staff training to assist individuals with lived experience to make informed employmentrelated decisions that include access to accurate and timely education around the impact of work
on their public benefits and entitlements.
Respond to emergent policy, fiscal, and legislative issues that may impact the availability of
employment services for individuals with significant mental health conditions.
REVISED 11-17-21
Advocate for greater education and collaboration amongst legislators, state agencies,
employment providers, and private entities including employers to preserve, enhance and support
integrated and coordinated employment services and opportunities for individuals with significant
mental health conditions.
GOALS – FY22-23
Objectives:
Goal 1: Analyze outcomes of DMH employment programs including the ACCS/MRC colloaboration
and make recommendations for improvements or enhancements. Time Frame: By June 30, 2022
Objectives:
a) Review outcome data of ACCS/MRC, Clubhouses and other relevant programs as
available.
b) Review cross-section of race and employment data so we can identify and address
racial, cultural and linguistic disparites in employment outcomes.
c) Provide feedback and develop recommendations for DMH as relevant.
Goal 2: Prioritize Race, Equity and Inclusion in outcomes, interagency relationship and staff
training. Time Frame: By June 30, 2023.
Objectives:
a) Inrease transparency of racial, cultural and linguistic disparites in vocational outcomes
and services for persons served by DMH through providing these data every sixth
months to relevant advisory bodies.
b) Survey and/or hold focus groups with under represented and under served populations
to better understand their specific vocational needs and preferences.
c) Using the race, equity and inclusion information gathered, make recommendations for
reducing barriers to employment, enhancing the MRC/ACCS colloboration, and better
identify and support staff training needs.
Goal 3: Enhance relationship between MRC and DMH to ensure the employment needs of
individuals served by ACCS are met. Time Frame: By June 30, 2022
Objectives:
a) Cross-representation on respective committees, i.e., SMHPC Employment
Subcommittee and MRC Statewide Rehabilitation Council (SRC).
b) Host a Best Practices Forum in collaboration with the MRC SRC.
c) Analyze outcomes data.
d) Survey and/or hold focus group with key stakeholders.
e) Research/Identify best practices.
f) Develop a report and make recommendations.
Goal 4: Identify training needs of DMH-funded employment provider staff and make
recommendations to DMH for professional development opportunities. Time Frame: June 30, 2022
Objectives:
a) Assess training needs of DMH-funded employment provider staff
b) Identify available training resources.
c) Develop recommendations to address training gaps.
More info soon!