7 States Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals With Mental Health Conditions

The US Department of Labor has selected 7 states to participate in its Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment initiative (ASPIRE), which aims to align state policy and funding to increase competitive integrated employment for individuals with mental health conditions.

The assistance will include expertise in helping each state in creating strategic plans that encompass multiple systems.

These systems include mental/behavioral health, Medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, workforce, and education.

States will implement their plans in coordination with their own state mental health advocacy organizations.

The ASPIRE initiative will also create a shared forum for exchanging information between states, federal agencies, mental health service providers, and other key leaders.

The goal is to increase competitive integrated employment for people with mental health conditions.

“With the right support, people with mental health conditions can succeed in the workforce, including individuals who haven’t previously been successful. Better integration of funding, policy and programs to support proven employment models, such as Individual Placement and Support, is key to helping more people do so, and we look forward to working with and learning from the ASPIRE states,” said Office of Disability Employment Policy Deputy Assistant Secretary Jennifer Sheehy.

Westat, a Maryland research firm, will deliver the technical assistance to participating states.

US Department of Labor. US Department of Labor selects seven states to participate in its initiative to improve employment outcomes for people with mental health conditions. News release. April 14, 2021. https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/odep/odep20210414