TAKE A LOOK: VIDEO/PICTURES OF EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS WITH MH CONSUMERS PURSUING THEIR PERSONAL AND VOCATIONAL DREAMS
Hello. My name is Carmen. Many of you know me because I am the Director of the Volunteer based Drop In and Learn Something (D.I.A.L.S.) project at the MHA. We are glad to announce that we organized 4 events as a team in this, our first, year.
To the end, we are celebrating a year full of happiness and success.
Our goal of the program in 2010 is to keep empowering mental health consumers by providing opportunities for them to interact and learn through pursuit of their personal and professional dreams.
We have archived pictures and videos that sum up some of what we accomplished in 2009. There are depictions of our consumer organized benefit concert called "Rock For A Better Community" and the "Get the Scoop Event," a forum on work incentives for those with disabilities who are present or future Social Security beneficiaries and might be considering the world of work.
Please take a look and celebrate the fruits of our 2009 labors with us. Should you have questions about work incentives for persons on Social Security Benefits, please click on the AHEDD or SSA links.
Here’s a mental health consumer’s summary of the events that took place at the "Get the Scoop" presentation.
"Get the Scoop"
On Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 1:00pm-3:00pm, the Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania held an event, aptly named Come "Get the Scoop" at the Masonic Temple.
The event contained valuable information pertaining to consumers, Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Income beneficiaries.
John Johnston, Public Affair Specialist, Social Security Administration and Joel Brecht of AHEDD organization presented topics such as; Ticket to work incentive, P.A.S.S. and M.A.W.D. programs, also, S.S.I. and S.S.D.I.
John Johnston, Joel Brecht answered many questions concerning S.S.I., S.S.D.I., P.A.S.S., M.A.W.D., and Ticket to Work from consumers and beneficiaries. The scoop consisted of current information that many people don’t know.
John Johnston, Joel Brecht dispelled many rumors and misconceptions concerning the "Ticket to Work" program.
The programs were created by Social Security Administration and Department of Public Welfare.
In effort to help consumers, beneficiaries understand that "working" shouldn’t be viewed as being negative, instead should be viewed as being positive and rewarding, while moving away from their dependence on government welfare and gaining back their sense of self worth and independence.
The event was successful as many were in attendance. "Get the Scoop" was the second work incentives event this year. The event was held on August 26, 2009 at MHA.
Richard Otero
Funded through the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant CFDA #93.768
Another consumer in attendance offered this opinion:
As I have been involved with consumers of services who require the need to receive benefits to sustain daily life, I haven’t been comfortable with the subject discussing work incentives and opportunities. My knowledge in this area has been very limited as it seems to be for many. After attending the "Get the Scoop" event, I have a clearer understanding of not only differences in benefits, reasons for benefits but also opportunities for recipients of benefits to potentially work, go to school, create a business plan and contact local representatives with specific needs in hopes of making some changes.This event not only gave me hope, but direction. I have learned how to, "get the scoop" from the professionals who work in this field daily.
I personally know one young man who has fallen on hard times recently who became employed and starts on- the -job-paid training next week as a result of, "Get the Scoop". This opportunity came from West Employment who had an informational table at this event.
Just in time for Christmas. Talk about raising spirits and perhaps self esteem.