On behalf of Centered Spirit Program a division of the Health Department we request your approval to apply for a new grant opportunity, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for fiscal year 2019 Transforming Lives through Supported Employment grant. The purpose of the program is to support community, tribal efforts to refine, implement, and sustain evidenced-based supported employment programs and mutually compatible and supportive evidenced-based practices (supported education) for transition-aged youth/young adults (ages 16-25) with serious emotional disturbance (SED) Heart Loss Thought Loss, and Adults with serious mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring mental and substance disorders (COD). Centered Spirit Program expects that this program will increase tribal community capacity to implement and sustain Supportive Employment Program (SEP) models and integrated supports to improve competitive employment outcomes for individuals with SED, SMI, COD and Heart Loss Thought Loss. We propose to start projects that use benefit planning, workforce incentives, and part-time employment to help people with SED, SMI, COD, and Heart Loss Thought Loss. We strongly believe that through investing and promoting employment models that are inclusive, all individuals with mental health concerns will gain economic stability and security. The SEP will address the issues of financial capability and lack of connection to community supports. We will use a client-centered peer support approach to provide financial coaching and facilitated connections to accessible and appropriate community services while assisting with employment search and on the job supportive employment. We will collaborate with T.E.R.O, TANF, Sewa Uusim, Center for Employment and Training, Education and W.I.O.A. Program Goal: Assist the community member to actively develop effective employable skills, provide assistance in finding the right job and help to maintain employment in the most satisfying environment. These are some of the main aspects the grant is to address: Identify and implement supported employment evidence-based services, practices, and strategies and mutually supportive practices/strategies that are responsive to the selected population(s) of focus and adhere to practice fidelity or standards. These services must be individualized and tailored to the needs of the client and provide comprehensive mental health services (psychiatric services including psychotropic medication, psychotherapeutic interventions, as indicated, inclusive of individual, group, family therapy(ies), case management, physical healthcare, social services supports including housing, legal services assistance, assistance accessing state/federal benefits) in conjunction with vocational services. Identify and implement SEP workforce development strategies and training for individuals who work with the selected population(s) of focus (e.g., mental health clinicians/providers, employment/vocational specialists) to (1) increase workforce expectations of competitive employment as an outcome; and (2) expand workforce capacity to actively support competitive employment. Provide pre-employment services and counseling as necessary with the goal of identifying appropriate employment opportunities. Establish linkages and coordination with labor and vocational rehabilitation departments; local representatives of organizations, service providers, businesses, and educational Institutions that serve the population of focus Establish relationships with local employers to provide employment opportunities for program participants. Engage in sustainability planning and create a plan that identifies sustainable funding approaches. With support, they can work in competitive jobs or start their own businesses, enabling them to increase their work activity and earnings over time.