Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Friday, January 4, 2002 Governor Scott McCallum Secretary Jennifer Reinert

News Media Contact Christopher Marschman 608/261-6705 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

Contact: Kristin Krueger, 608/243-5659

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS), recently awarded grants to mental health treatment agencies (CSPs) around the state that will help to provide employment services for people with severe and persistent mental illness. DWD’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the DHFS Division of Supportive Living will manage the grants.

"These grants will help people in these communities find and keep employment and help employers tap this often overlooked pool of potential workers," said DWD Secretary Jennifer Reinert.

In all, $342,000 will be available annually to the agencies. Each grant recipient will receive $40,000 - $50,000. The money will be used to provide a variety of services to people with mental illness who want to go to work. These include vocational assessments, paid work experience opportunities, job development and placement provided with mental health treatment.

"These projects will help people with severe and persistent mental illness find and keep jobs, giving them opportunities to gain independence through employment," said Charlene Dwyer, Administrator for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Seven agencies received grants and each will provide services for up to 15 people under this grant. Grantees include:

• Villa Hope CSP of Brown County
• CSP of Kenosha, Inc.
• Waukesha County Health and Human Services CSP/Goodwill Industries of SE WI, Inc.
• Jefferson County Human Services CSP
• New Horizon’s North of Ashland and Bayfield Counties
• Northwest CSP of Burnett County
• Milwaukee Mental Health Services

"Past collaboration has yielded terrific results and proven this method of service provision to be very effective in assisting people to achieve employment goals and feel more a part of their communities. We are pleased to offer continued support to this proven method," Said DHFS Secretary Dubé.

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