Toolkit for Employing Individuals with Lived Experience Within the Public Mental Health Workforce

290 Pages·2014·2.62 MB·English

Toolkit for Employing Individuals
with Lived Experience Within the
Public Mental Health Workforce
WPaWgeT 1Tool Kit ~ 2014
Acknowledgements

United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF) on behalf of Working Well Together (WWT) would
like to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance and support in developing the WWT
Human Resources (HR) Toolkit:

 Deborah Van Dunk, WWT TAC, UACF
 Colleen Schneider, Director of Administration Operations, UACF
 Donna Matthews, MSW, WWT Project Manager, CIMH

This document was written and developed by Conni Wells, Axis LLC, Consultant, UACF
www.axisgroup1.net

Working Well Together (WWT)
The WWT Training and Technical Assistance Center is a collaborative composed of the California
Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations-Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery
Services (CAMHPRO-PEERS), NAMI California, United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF), and
the California Institute for Mental Health (CiMH).

The WWT Training and Technical Assistance Center is a statewide initiative funded by the Mental Health
Services Act (MHSA) and is administered by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
(OSHPD). Communities and county public mental health systems, through the implementation of MHSA
programs, are committed to a multicultural, recovery and resilience oriented public mental health care.
A key contributor to an effective system is the employment of people with lived experience as mental
health consumers, family members, parents and caregivers from diverse cultures. Since our inception in
2008, the primary goal of Working Well Together has been to promote and support the sustained and
meaningful employment of people with “lived experience” within public mental health and integrated
organizations and programs.

Funded by Proposition 63. Submitted to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
(OSHPD) by Working Well Together

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of
the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction to the Tool Kit ............................................................................................................... 8
How to use this Tool Kit ..........................................................................................................................9
Components of Tool Kit ........................................................................................................................12
Setting the Stage for Successful Employment in the Public Mental Health Workplace ...................... 16
Developing a Healthy Work Environment ............................................................................................17
Healthy Work Environment Resources .................................................................................................19
Healthy Work Environment Tools .........................................................................................................20
Mental Health Friendly Workplace Indicators ................................................................................. 21
Scanning Workplace Mental Wellness ............................................................................................. 22
Tips to Create a Mentally Healthy Workplace ................................................................................. 25
Eight Dimensions of Wellness .......................................................................................................... 27
Understanding State and Federal Laws Relative to Persons with Mental Health Challenges .............. 28
State and Federal Laws Relative to Persons with Mental Health Challenges Resources ..................... 35
State and Federal Laws Relative to Persons with Mental Health Challenges Tools ............................ 38
Workplace Laws Every Employer Needs to Know .......................................................................... 39
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – HIPAA at a Glance .................................... 40
Understanding Accommodations that can Enhance Position Success .................................................. 42
Accommodations Resources ................................................................................................................. 43
Accommodations Tools ........................................................................................................................ 44
Assessing Necessary Accommodations ............................................................................................ 45
Sample Accommodations ................................................................................................................. 46
Questions to Ask About Accommodations and Supports ................................................................. 50
Workplace Communication .................................................................................................................. 52
Workplace Communication Resources ................................................................................................. 54
Workplace Communication Tools ........................................................................................................ 55
Starting Right Tips and Suggestions ................................................................................................. 56
Etiquette ................................................................................................................................................ 57
Etiquette Resources ............................................................................................................................... 59
Etiquette Tools ...................................................................................................................................... 60
Addressing Workplace Etiquette Checklist ...................................................................................... 61
Bypassing Stigma.................................................................................................................................. 63

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Stigma Resources ................................................................................................................................ 664
Stigma Tools ......................................................................................................................................... 65
Quick Planning to Address Stigma in the Workplace ...................................................................... 66
De-stigmatizing the Workplace ........................................................................................................ 67
Cultural Competency ............................................................................................................................ 68
Cultural Competency Resources ........................................................................................................... 70
Cultural Competency Tools .................................................................................................................. 73
Culturally Competent and Language Access Guiding Values & Principles..................................... 74
Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence - Self-Assessments .................. 76
National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) ....................... 77
Workplace Support Assessments .......................................................................................................... 80
Workplace Support Assessments Resources ........................................................................................ 81
Workplace Support Assessments Tools ................................................................................................ 82
Assessing the Workplace .................................................................................................................. 83
Examining Consumer/Family Driven Practices................................................................................ 84
Part Two - Recommendations to Strengthen Program: .................................................................... 85
Evaluating Workplace Readiness for a Lived Experience Position.................................................. 86
Recruiting Employees with Lived Experience into the Public Mental Health Workforce ................... 89
Creating Positions ................................................................................................................................. 91
Creating Positions Resources ................................................................................................................ 92
Creating Positions Tools ....................................................................................................................... 94
Strategically Planning a Lived Experience Position ......................................................................... 95
Workplace Contract Readiness Checklist ......................................................................................... 97
Approaches to Gather Feedback from Targeted Population for Position Development .................. 99
Sample Survey ................................................................................................................................ 100
Developing Job Descriptions .............................................................................................................. 102
Developing Job Descriptions Resources ............................................................................................. 102
Developing Job Descriptions Tools .................................................................................................... 105
Job Description Checklist ............................................................................................................... 106
Job Descriptions .............................................................................................................................. 108
Developing Designated and Non-Designated Positions and Job Classifications ............................... 115
Designated and Non-Designated Positions and Job Classifications Resources.................................. 116
Designated and Non-Designated Positions and Job Classifications Tools ......................................... 117
Decision Process Guide .................................................................................................................. 118

WPaWgeT 4Tool Kit ~ 2014
Process for Successfully Developing and Implementing a Classification and Pay System ........... 119
Planning and Developing Benefits for Potential Employees and their Family .................................. 120
Planning and Developing Benefits Resources .................................................................................... 122
Planning and Developing Benefits Tools ........................................................................................... 124
Top Three Things Small Businesses Should Know About the Affordable Care Act ..................... 125
SSI Income Reporting Requirements.............................................................................................. 127
Benefit Comparison Chart .............................................................................................................. 130
Developing Job Announcements ........................................................................................................ 133
Job Announcements Resources........................................................................................................... 135
Job Announcements Tools .................................................................................................................. 136
Differences between a Job Description and a Job Announcement ................................................. 137
Job Announcement Tip Sheet ......................................................................................................... 139
Sample Job Announcement............................................................................................................. 141
Sample Job Ad ................................................................................................................................ 142
Adapting the Application for Employment......................................................................................... 143
Adapting the Application for Employment Resources ....................................................................... 144
Adapting the Application for Employment Tools .............................................................................. 145
Sample Narrative Job Application Form ........................................................................................ 146
Sample ~ Application for Parent Consultant .................................................................................. 148
Applying Outreach Practices to Targeted Populations and Program Representatives ....................... 150
Outreach Practices Resources ............................................................................................................. 151
Outreach Practices Tools .................................................................................................................... 152
Outreach Planning Best Practice ..................................................................................................... 153
Evaluating Recruitment Outcomes ..................................................................................................... 155
Evaluating Recruitment Outcomes Resources .................................................................................... 156
Evaluating Recruitment Outcomes Tools ........................................................................................... 157
Evaluating Recruitment Outcomes ................................................................................................. 158
Hiring Employees with Lived Experience into the Public Mental Health Workforce ....................... 159
Resume and Application Review Process........................................................................................... 160
Resume and Application Review Resources ...................................................................................... 161
Resume and Application Review Tools .............................................................................................. 162
Sample Resume or Application Review Form................................................................................ 163
Resume or Application Review Sheet ............................................................................................ 164
Developing Interviewing Protocol and Process .................................................................................. 166

WPaWgeT 5Tool Kit ~ 2014
Interviewing Protocol and Process Resources .................................................................................... 168
Interviewing Protocol and Process Tools ........................................................................................... 170
Potential Interview Questions ...................................................................................................... 171
Sample Job Interview Score Sheet .................................................................................................. 174
Selecting Qualified Applicants for Employment ................................................................................ 178
Selecting Qualified Applicants Resources .......................................................................................... 180
Selecting Qualified Applicants Tools ................................................................................................. 181
Values and Skills............................................................................................................................. 182
Applicant Selection Chart and Competency Profile ....................................................................... 188
Candidate Selection Scoring Sheet ................................................................................................. 189
Making a Job Offer ............................................................................................................................. 190
Making a Job Offer Resources ............................................................................................................ 191
Making a Job Offer Tools ................................................................................................................... 192
Extending the Job Offer .................................................................................................................. 193
Avoiding Unintentional Employment Contracts ............................................................................ 194
Evaluating Hiring Outcomes............................................................................................................... 195
Evaluating Hiring Outcomes Resources ............................................................................................. 196
Evaluating Hiring Outcomes Tools .................................................................................................... 197
Evaluating Hiring ............................................................................................................................ 198
Retaining Employees with Lived Experience into the Public Mental Health Workforce .................. 199
Developing Position and Program Orientation ................................................................................... 200
Developing Position and Program Orientation Resources.................................................................. 202
Developing Position and Program Orientation Tools ......................................................................... 204
Components of an Orientation for Lived Experience Staff ............................................................ 205
Tips for Developing Orientation Programs..................................................................................... 208
Creating a Successful Supervision Program ....................................................................................... 210
Successful Supervision Resources ...................................................................................................... 211
Successful Supervision Tools ............................................................................................................. 213
Supervision Tips and Recommendations ........................................................................................ 214
Supervisor Support of Persons with Lived Experience in the Workplace ...................................... 215
Employee Personal Development and Career Pathways .................................................................... 217
Employee Personal Development and Career Pathways Resources ................................................... 220
Employee Personal Development and Career Pathways Tools .......................................................... 224
Personal Development Self-Assessment......................................................................................... 225

WPaWgeT 6Tool Kit ~ 2014
Certification Opportunities ............................................................................................................. 228
National Certified Parent Support Provider Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) .......................... 231
Creating Program Quality Improvement Initiatives ........................................................................... 234
Quality Improvement Resources......................................................................................................... 237
Quality Improvement Tools ................................................................................................................ 238
Developing a QI Process ................................................................................................................. 239
Evaluating Employee Retention and Program Success ...................................................................... 241
Evaluating Employee Retention Resources ........................................................................................ 242
Evaluating Employee Retention Tools ............................................................................................... 243
Employee Survey ............................................................................................................................ 244
Evaluating Employee Retention Scan ............................................................................................. 245
Ensuring Successful Employment in the Public Mental Health Workplace ..................................... 246
Developing Employee Self-Confidence ............................................................................................. 247
Developing Employee Self-Confidence Resources ............................................................................ 248
Developing Employee Self-Confidence Tools ................................................................................... 249
Improving Lived Experience Employee Self-Confidence .............................................................. 250
Handling Disclosure............................................................................................................................ 252
Disclosure Resources .......................................................................................................................... 254
Disclosure Tools ................................................................................................................................. 256
Considerations in the Disclosure Process for Programs and Employees ........................................ 257
Disclosing Details and Experiences ................................................................................................ 259
Using Supervision and Performance Evaluation as Capacity Building .............................................. 260
Using Supervision and Performance Evaluation as Capacity Building Resources ............................ 261
Using Supervision and Performance Evaluation as Capacity Building Tools .................................... 263
Using Supervision and Performance Evaluation ............................................................................ 264
Job Coaching and Similar Supports .................................................................................................... 267
Job Coaching and Similar Supports Resources .................................................................................. 269
Job Coaching and Similar Supports Tools .......................................................................................... 270
Blending Components of Supported Employment, Supervision, and Coachin .............................. 271
Evaluating Capacity Building Efforts ............................................................................................. 273
Conclusion, Recommendations, and Next Steps ............................................................................ 275
Glossary of Employment Terms .................................................................................................... 277
Tool Kit Feedback Form ................................................................................................................ 289

WPaWgeT 7Tool Kit ~ 2014
Introduction to the Tool Kit

This toolkit is intended to assist and strengthen The purpose of the toolkit is to develop and
the employment of persons with mental health disseminate resources, information, and tools
challenges, family members of adults with for recruiting, hiring, training, supporting and
mental health needs, and family members of retaining employees with lived experience in the
children and youth served by the system as public mental health systems, across both
representatives of lived experience. Sometimes traditional employment and supported
called Parent Partners, Peer Providers, Family employment environments. Each section
Support Specialists, Consumer Advocates, Peer features tools, including templates, samples,
Specialists, Senior Mentors, and others; these and models that can be adjusted to meet
positions are emerging as a profession as are individual program need. This toolkit pulls
opportunities for public mental health programs together much of that information; sorting it
to take advantage of the lived experiences as the into palatable bites and organizing it so that
populations they serve continues to grow. resources and tools are ready available.

But, establishing a position, recruiting just the The target audience includes Mental Health
right person, hiring the best candidate, and Directors, Human Resource personnel,
retaining a successful employee are purposeful Supervisory Clinicians, Supervisory Case
and strategic endeavors. Persons with lived Managers, county contracted providers, and
experience and programs struggle to develop a Supervisors of employees in designated
pathway to success, even as the body of positions and with lived experience as
resources surrounding the practice continues to consumers, clients, parents Volunteer
grow. Coordinators and staff, Employment/Supported
Employment providers, individuals with lived
experience in the community and caregivers.

WPaWgeT 8Tool Kit ~ 2014
How to use this Tool Kit
“The kit is arranged by section with topics

and resources or tools to provide
As with any toolkit, this is intended to serve a
information or guidance in developing or
variety of audiences on specific and targeted
components within the development of strengthening that area within a public
positions, hiring persons with lived experience,
mental health setting.”
and promoting a sustainable employee who has

the expertise and support to become Family Member to Adult - an adult, or older
successful. Each individual opening the kit will adult with lived experience of having or
have a different purpose, need, and likely draw caring for an adult relative with behavioral
value in a very diverse manner. For these health challenges.
reasons, the kit is arranged by section with
Parent/Caregiver - a person who is parenting
topics and resources or tools to provide
or has parented a child, youth, or young adult
information or guidance in developing or
with behavioral health challenges. This
strengthening that area within a public mental
person may be a birth parent, adoptive
health setting. Each section is introduced and
parent, family member standing in for an
topics follow with simple and clear discussions
absent parent or a person chosen by the
around what their meaning, relevance to the
family or youth to function in the role of a
lived experience workforce practices, general
parent.
resources for more information, and suggested
tools for implementation.
Peer - a person of similar lived experience.
For the purpose of a common language base,
Peer Specialist - Based upon the fundamental
the following definitions apply in this toolkit.
principles of recovery and resiliency Peer
Support services are therapeutic interactions
Behavioral Health Challenges - mental health
conducted by self-identified current or
or emotional challenges that may include the
former consumers of behavioral health
following co-occurring issues: substance use,
services, family members/caregivers to adults
intellectual challenges, dementia or trauma.
with behavioral health challenges, or
Consumer - a person, who has applied for, is parents/caregivers to children, youth or
eligible for, or who has received behavioral young adults with behavioral health
health services. For a child or youth whose challenges. Peer Specialists are trained and
parents or legal guardians are involved in the become certified to offer support to others in
treatment plan, the definition of consumer their recovery and/or resiliency process and
includes parents or legal guardians. (From in their community integration process. Peer
Washington State) support is intended to inspire hope in
individuals, parents, family members and
caregivers that recovery and/or resiliency is

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