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Dec
18

Information for job seekers

Don't see your agency listed? See Employment Resources for All

I am enrolled in mental health services.

Are you currently enrolled in mental health services and thinking about going to work?

The following agencies provide evidence-based supported employment services through King County:

  • Asian Counseling and Referral Services
  • Downtown Emergency Service Center
  • Harborview Behavioral Health
  • Hero House
  • Navos
  • Sound
  • Valley Cities Behavioral Health

Note that some of these agencies serve only individuals who are enrolled in mental health services within their agencies. For a list of statewide service providers that offer supported employment, see the "Employment Resources for All" section below.

We contract with specialty employment service agencies to provide evidence-based supported employment services based on the Individual Placement and Support Model, the most widely researched and most successful employment model for assisting individuals with mental health conditions in returning to work. What does that mean for you as a job seeker or an employer looking to hire individuals in our program?

We can help you with:

  • Benefits Planning: We can provide individualized information about how work will impact your Social Security benefits and how to maximize your available work incentives.
  • Vocational Counseling: We can help you identify your work preferences and interests so you can choose a career goal that fits your lifestyle and your needs (e.g., full time/part-time, day shift/night shift, “front of house” customer service/“behind the scenes” back room support).
  • Job Development: We can connect you to employers that we have relationships with in the community who are seeking to hire individuals with (and without) disabilities. We will also match your work skills to the needs of local employers to find the right fit for you and the employer.
  • Job Placement: We can help you throughout your job search and interview process to assist with securing a permanent, competitively-acquired, integrated job in the community that pays at least minimum wage and often more!
  • Job Retention: We can continue to provide support after you are hired and until you feel you no longer need/want supports from us. We will respect your privacy and provide ongoing employment support to you with or without directly disclosing our involvement to your employer and based on your stated preference. 

Getting assistance

If you are enrolled at any of the agencies listed above, ask your service provider to add employment to your recovery/service plan and to refer you to the agency’s supported employment program.

Don't see your agency listed? See the "Employment resources for all" section below.

Employers: We provide these benefits free to you and our job seekers/candidates. Think of us as your personal Employee Assistance Program that helps both you and the employee with every step in the employment process. For more information see the employers page.

I am enrolled in substance use disorder services.

Are you enrolled in substance use disorder (SUD) services with one of our contracted agencies and looking for assistance with employment?

We contract with a WorkSource provider to provide direct employment supports to individuals at the following agencies:

  • Community Psychiatric Clinic
  • Cowlitz Tribal Health
  • Intercept Associates
  • Seattle Indian Health Board
  • Sound
  • Therapeutic Health Services

We can help you with:

  • Individual job search and placement assistance
  • Direct referrals to employers seeking to hire
  • Assistance with navigating the WorkSource System
  • Resume assistance
  • Interview skills
  • Workshops/class referrals at Work Source
  • Referrals to WorkSource vocational training programs (time limited, career focused and usually improves the long-term level of earnings even for those that are currently in low wage jobs)

Getting assistance

If you are enrolled at any of the agencies above, please ask your treatment provider to send a referral to the BHRD contracted employment program that partners with your agency.

Don't see your agency listed? See "I am enrolled in mental health and/or substance use disorder services and need a referral" below.

Did you know?

Employment in recovery-based treatment: Research has shown that people with substance use conditions have achieved higher rates of success in recovery by participating in an employment program, even when the employment program wasn’t directly provided by their treatment provider, but by an external employment partner.

Employment resources for all

Resources

Click here for a list of available employment programs/resources for in the community.

All Behavioral Health Agencies

All agencies contracted with the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division are required to provide supportive services to assist you with your recovery goals, including your employment goals. While agencies are not required to offer “in house” employment programs that are directly provided by their staff, agencies are required to:

  1. Add your interest in exploring employment to your treatment plan (also called recovery plan or individual service plan). 
  2. Refer you to external employment programs.
  3. Support you in the process of achieving your employment goal by working with the employment program (with your written permission) to help address any treatment needs as they relate to your employment goals.
Regardless of what agency you are enrolled with, every agency is required to assist you with your employment goals by offering you internal or external employment resources and referrals to those resources.

Getting assistance

Contact your treatment provider and ask to be connected to local employment resources. Ask for an employment goal to be added to your treatment plan. 

What's the best way to get support for your employment goals?
  • Ask for an employment goal to be added to your recovery/service plan.
  • Ask your behavioral health agency to refer you to an internal or external employment program.
  • Ask your service provider to provide ongoing support in assisting you with your goal of becoming employed.
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