Noell Miller is mailing letters and making phone calls to local employers in an effort to spark their interest in hiring clients at The Center for Counseling & Consultation.
As the new employment specialist at The Center, Miller and her colleague, Nayeli Mendez, are currently helping five people in their job search. That number is likely to increase.
“Our goal is to form relationships with employers so that we can help our clients find meaningful employment,” Miller explained. “A rewarding job leads to more independence and an enhanced sense of self-worth.”
Job possibilities can be in virtually any industry including retail, food service, manufacturing and healthcare.
“One of our job seekers has a welding certificate from Barton Community College and some have certified nursing aide credentials,” Miller noted. “They are actively participating in their job search.”
The Center supports applicants by touching base with employers and helping set up job interviews. Miller stays in contact with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Center for Adult Education, vocational-rehabilitation and other entities that track job openings.
“We know it can be difficult for someone with a mental-health diagnosis or a criminal background to find a job,” Miller acknowledged. “But everyone has the right to meaningful employment.
“A local employer can open the door to a new life for someone,” she continued. “A rewarding job can have lasting effects because it gives us purpose and shows us we are valuable to our community.”
Tax Credits
In some instances, there also is a financial incentive for employers.
The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available to employers who hire individuals who have faced significant barriers to finding a job, according to information from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The tax credit can be claimed by any employer that pays wages to someone certified by a designated local agency as being a member of a targeted group.
These groups include, but are not limited to, qualified veteran; qualified ex-felon; vocational-rehabilitation referral; and recipients of Supplemental Security Income, Long-term Family Assistance and Qualified Long-term Unemployment.
“We hope employers will consider lending a helping hand to people who want to work and need to work,” Miller commented. “They can help crush the stigma of a mental-health diagnosis, while supporting their neighbors who want and deserve to lead productive lives.
“The possible tax-credit is the fringe benefit,” she added.
Miller is SOAR certified; the acronym stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery.
While Miller has worked at The Center for 14 years, she assumed her employment responsibilities recently. This is part of the non-profit agency’s preparation to offer a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, which is a multi-dimensional program that cares for the whole person.
Miller also is a certified peer specialist and tobacco-treatment specialist.
For more information, contact Miller by calling 620-792-2544.
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
