News & Press
River Edge Supported Employment Works!
March 27, 2014
MACON — From illness to recovery, From unemployment to work. That’s the story of community residents who receive research-proven supported employment services through River Edge Behavioral Health Center.
“1 in 4 Americans face mental health challenge during their lives. The overwhelming majority want to work. The research based employment approach River Edge uses helps 20% more of our neighbors with mental illness or addiction get and keep competitive community employment than other approaches.”, said Shannon Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of River Edge. “Yet another proof positive that treatment is effective; recovery is to be expected. As we say at River Edge, ‘Supported employment works’!”
Using the model developed by Dartmouth University, specially trained employment specialists help participants uncover and improve strengths, motivations and skills, match those with employer needs and provide customized supports promoting treatment adherence and employment success.
River Edge outcomes using this approach were so successful that the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities increased the slot-based funding for individuals served by River Edge by 130% during 2013. This expanded partnership created additional community jobs as River Edge hired additional employment specialists. “Already, 100% of the expanded contract is filled with people entering our workforce.” said Harvey.
“The success achieved would not have been possible without the openness and partnership of local employers. River Edge thanks Barnett Products, Butler Auto, Fincher’s Barbecue, Fortson Painting and Cleaning, Kroger, Satterfield’s Restaurant and Catering, Sav-A-Lot, and Sid’s Sandwich Shop for employing participants.” continued Harvey. “Together, we make life better.”
If you are an employer needing stable workers with ‘no fail’ supports,
call John Kosater, Director of River Edge Supported Employment, at 478-803-7708.
About River Edge
River Edge has provided comprehensive mental health, addictive disease, and developmental disabilities services and supports in Central Georgia since 1950. Through multiple locations, River Edge currently serves more than 12,000 youth and adult residents of Bibb, Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson and surrounding counties annually. With special expertise to assist individuals with intensive support needs, River Edge empowers, encourages recovery and strengthens resilience. River Edge accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most private insurance and offers a sliding scale fee for individuals without insurance. River-Edge.org