LOUISIANA Community Mental Health Services Block Grant ...

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is being integrated into the state system of care, having been
approved as a Medicaid reimbursable service. Though this program does not directly provide
employment services, it could support such services on an individualized basis if obtaining or
maintaining a job was determined to be an important component of the client‟s recovery or
rehabilitation. At that point, the therapist could work with the client on those social skills as well as
family and environmental barriers preventing a client from getting or maintaining a job.
Workforce Investment Board Youth Council
In the Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD), the Workforce Investment Board Youth
Council is sponsored by the Office of the Mayor of New Orleans. This group develops services for
the city‟s youth to prepare, enter, and succeed in the world of work; training and support are
provided to youth and employers. The Metropolitan Human Services District has contracts and
programs that assist adults, young adults, and families in their efforts to enter the job market and to
stay employed. Referrals originate from many sources, including: community mental health clinics,
mental health rehabilitation programs, and case management agencies. Additionally, the
Interagency Services Coordination Program (ISC) for children, the Inter-Disciplinary Staffings
(IDS) for adults, and Act 378 programs also assist the persons with SMI/EBD in securing and
maintaining employment.
Act 378
Act 378 funds are used on the child / adolescent side to assist families in emergency situations and
to help with transportation that allows family members to find and maintain jobs. Additionally,
services are offered through the Early Childhood Supports and Services program (ECSS - located in
CAHSD, MHSD, FPHSA as well as Regions 3, 4, 7, and 8) and Louisiana Youth Enhancement
Services (LaYES - located in MHSD). Through these programs, links are made to a variety of
resources, including employment assistance, emergency funds, respite services, and other services
that enable youth and families to access jobs. Adolescents in school-based health clinics have
access to clinical social workers who assist students with job-related skills, such as social skills,
safety practices in the work place, and a broad range of issues related to behavioral, emotional, and
mental health that are fundamental to adolescent development and readiness to work skills. These
issues are of particular importance at high schools that focus on vocational/technical training.
Examples of Regional Employment Services for Youth
MHSD is a Work Experience (WE) Program site for JOB 1, a program of Goodwill Industries of
Southeastern Louisiana, Inc. and part of the Mayor of New Orleans‟ Economic Development Team.
WE provides on-the-job training for persons with limited or no previous work experience in an
effort to help them develop basic work readiness skills, as a part of their effort to find permanent
employment. The Capital Area Human Services District (CAHSD) partners with Instructional
Resource Centers and Transition Core Teams in local school systems to provide services to youth,
especially as they transition from educational to vocational systems. Through efforts including
planning meetings, transition fairs, interagency service coordination and family support
coordination, CAHSD provides services for transition-aged clients with developmental disabilities,
mental health disorders, and/or addictive disorders. Individuals that become clients of CAHSD
mental health services are eligible for services from the La HIRE program that provides team
building and intensive employment support. Services include case management, job finding, and
other supportive services necessary to help consumers find and maintain employment. Louisiana
Rehabilitation Services serves ages 16-21 with Job Placement Services. The Transitional Core
Team serves ages 16-21 with the Job Fair and Placement Services. LSU Youth Employment serves
ages 16-21 with on campus employment. In January 2009, CAHSD filled its Employment
PART C LOUISIANA FY 2011 PAGE 201
SECTION III: CHILD/ YOUTH PLAN – CRITERION 1
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES -- SYSTEM OF CARE & AVAILABLE SERVICES