Employment Toolkit Introduction:
Employment is an extremely powerful force in everyone's life. Employment not only provides a source of income, but also:
- contributes significantly to our sense of self-worth,
- provides an opportunity to contribute to society,
- integrates us into the larger community,
- structures our time,
- offers opportunities for developing relationships with people.
For members of an MCO, employment is especially powerful. People with disabilities may already feel different, isolated, unproductive, and as though they are not full members of society. Unemployment intensifies these feelings.
MCOs and Care Managers have the responsibility of providing services that enable living independently in the community. Successful independent living, however, goes beyond living in an apartment. It also means true integration into the community by engaging in worthwhile, productive activities, having relationships with a variety of people, and enjoying a sense of worthiness. Employment can address all these facets of community living.
Employment needs to be integrated into MCO services so that members have opportunity for full community participation and the highest quality of life. Employment needs to be included into Member Centered Plans; employment outcomes need to be identified. Care Mangers are in an excellent position to be full partners with both members and employment service providers in helping members reach their employment goals.
Care Managers are in a great position to provide members the opportunity for full community participation by identifying employment goals in the member-centered plans and by establishing partnerships with service providers that can help members reach their employment goals.
This Toolkit is a convenient source of information for Care Managers to use in assisting members on their paths to employment.
| Back to Top |