 |
10/26/2006
Community Work Services Introduces Innovative
Employment Support Services for the Homeless
Supported by the Boston Foundation, and based on a joint study
with Boston University, Community Work Services launches “Project
Support” an innovative, employment retention program for the
Homeless in Boston
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A three-year Outcome Study conducted by
Boston University and Community Work Services clearly demonstrates
that with adequate supports sustained employment for the
chronically homeless is a realistic and attainable goal. The
results of the study indicated that those individuals who had
continuing supports for successful employment such as family,
friends, church, treatment providers and/or recovery programs were
most likely to maintain employment. With this knowledge, CWS
established Project Support an innovative program that provides a
long-time support system for individuals who lack and need
assistance in creating their own support system.
Partially funded by the Boston Foundation, Project Support
provides a long-time support system for individuals who lack and
need assistance in creating their own framework of support. This
unique program provides three Tiers of support that begin with
intensive case management support, move forward to peer counseling
groups and concludes with building mentoring skills for successful
program participants who in turn mentor new participants in the
skills necessary to stay employed.
The Project Support services are focused on mental health
counseling, substance abuse recovery, medication management and
housing stabilization. The program has already proven to be
successful by demonstrating that appropriate support for the
homeless increases their chances of keeping long term employment.
Of the 20 initial Project Support participants, 16 are continuing
to receive support, attending peer counseling groups and have
remained employed beyond previous time frames.
Project Support illustrates the success that is achievable when
government, private agencies and academia partner to uncover the
real needs of the homeless and then together create unique and
innovative programs like those offered by Community Work Services.
Boston University (BU) Sargent College of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education,
research and clinical centers whose premier academic programs
prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and
leadership in the health and rehabilitation sciences is actively
shaping health care. BU Sargent College is the only private
institution in the country offering five nationally ranked
graduate programs in health and rehabilitation sciences. For more
information and to learn about degree programs in physical
therapy, occupational therapy, speech, language and hearing
sciences, health science, athletic training, nutrition, and
rehabilitation counseling, visit
http://www.bu.edu/sargent.
Community Work Services (CWS), makes it possible for the
hardest-to-serve homeless and disabled populations to achieve
self-sufficiency. Established in 1877, CWS is the oldest
vocational rehabilitation organization in the United States,
hailed by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as
“a program that works,” the organization provides job training and
support services. For more information about CWS and to view
Research Briefs resulting from this study, visit
http://www.cwsbos.com
Media Contact:
Serena Powell - Executive Director
Community Work Services
617.720.5328
www.cwsbos.com
Return to In the News home page |
|
