State Enhances Employment Services for New Yorkers Recovering from Addiction

ALBANY, NY (09/13/2010)(readMedia)-- The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and State Education Department (SED) are collaborating to improve employment services for individuals recovering from addiction.

The action taken by the two agencies is a result of Governor Paterson's Addictions Collaborative to Improve Outcomes for New Yorkers (ACTION) initiative. It reinforces a decades-long collaborative relationship between OASAS and SED's Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), providing successful employment outcomes for individuals the agencies mutually serve. ACTION is a collaboration of 21 state agency partners addressing the negative consequences of addiction in public Health, Safety, Welfare and Education.

OASAS and SED signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the vocational services that will allow programs to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling and job preparation services, as well as the post-employment support services.

OASAS Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo said, "The complete integration of vocational and employment services within the treatment process improves treatment outcomes and is critical to the individual's ability to secure and maintain competitive employment, which in turn supports long-term recovery. Our work with SED allows thousands of individuals struggling with addiction to become productive, healthy, tax-paying citizens."

New York State Education Commissioner David M. Steiner said, "Our partnership with OASAS is a natural one based on our shared goals of educating individuals; preventing substance use; acceptance of treatment to alter the chronic course of the disease; and counseling to acquire skills for employment. VESID recognizes the critical role of addiction treatment in the success of vocational rehabilitation counseling and employment."

OASAS and SED are committed to the care, recovery and sustained well-being of individuals with addictions, and recognize the strong link between recovery from addiction and economic self-sufficiency. Research demonstrates that an important outcome indicator in the addiction recovery process is the individual's ability to successfully obtain, maintain and/or integrate into the workplace. Employment ultimately benefits the individual, their family, the employer and the community at large.

Under the MOU, SED and OASAS will:

• Establish protocols for VR referral and service delivery based on the most current evidence-based practices in treatment, recovery and vocational rehabilitation.

• Develop joint training curricula and implement knowledge and skill development programs for SED VR programs, OASAS staff and the local treatment and community rehabilitation providers.

• Improve mutual effectiveness in supporting individuals with substance use disorders to achieve employment, including analysis of the agencies' capacity and resources to meet their mutual commitment.

LaQuanda Edgefield of Bronx, now three years in recovery from addiction and a part of the OASAS Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, said the vocational training during her treatment helped her build a new life. "During my treatment process, I obtained my GED, completed Microsoft Office training, gained employment; acquired the knowledge I need to survive outside treatment; and experienced painful situations and feelings, and dealt with them without the use of a drink or drug. I did all these things while maintaining abstinence and being a full-time mom. The sweetest thing about recovery is having a second chance. I'm so glad I got mine. I just pray others will give themselves a chance to get theirs."

The mission of the State Education Department is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York. Within SED, the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) offers access to a full range of services to assist all persons with disabilities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. VESID Counselors guide individuals through service programs they need to reach their employment goals.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. Individuals can get help by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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For more information on VESID vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs, please visit: www.vesid.nysed.gov.