FREDERICK, MD – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today announced she is fighting to put $725,000 in the federal checkbook for a new statewide workforce development initiative in Maryland. The workforce initiative will use cutting-edge, evidenced-based practices to help low-income Marylanders with mental illness find jobs. These practices have been shown to increase employment and decrease symptoms of mental illness among low-income individuals with mental illness, while resulting in significant taxpayer savings.

The workforce initiative is a true public-private partnership, with 72 percent of funding coming from the State of Maryland, and 20 percent coming from a challenge grant awarded by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The Weinberg grant, however, was conditioned upon securing the final 8 percent, or $725,000, in funding from another source. Senator Mikulski’s request for $725,000 in the fiscal year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill will make it possible for this initiative to become a reality.

“This initiative uses innovative, evidence-based research methods to break down barriers to employment for low-income Marylanders with mental illness and train them for success in the workplace. The result is good for individuals receiving these services, good for employers, and good for Maryland’s economy,” Senator Mikulski said. “As Maryland’s senior senator, I will keep fighting for federal investments in critical projects like this one.”

Approximately 10 to 15 percent of individuals with severe mental illness are employed, even though data suggests that 60 to 70 percent of those individuals want to work. Research shows that when these individuals receive evidence-based supported employment services 60 percent become competitively employed.

Employment, in and of itself, has been shown to be an effective treatment modality, producing greater stability and decreased mental illness symptoms among these individuals. This, in turn, helps reduce the need for more expensive publicly- funded mental health care, netting substantial savings for taxpayers. The initiative also includes technical assistance to state and private healthcare agencies with the goal of project replication in other areas of the state and across the country.

“Everyone wins: the individual, the employer — and even taxpayers because these services reduce the need for more expensive publicly-funded mental healthcare,” said Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., President/CEO of Sheppard Pratt Health System. “This is yet another example of Senator Mikulski’s leadership in finding creative ways to address challenges like unemployment and the need for healthcare reform.”

“We at the Foundation are impressed with the way in which this project plans to facilitate gainful employment at living wages for people with schizophrenia and other severe mental illness,” said Donn Weinberg, Vice President and Chairman-Elect of the Weinberg Foundation. “The work itself not only provides earned income but serves as a form of therapy that helps to stabilize the emotional and mental functioning of the participants. In addition, the expansive size and creative innovation of this project make it a national demonstration program.”

Daniel Anderson, a military veteran with mental illness who has been working steadily since receiving these evidence-based job training services, added, “The project’s job coaches have helped me stay organized and provided emotional support. The Customized Employment strategy helped my boss and me to create a special part-time afternoon shift which helps schedule around college and other issues. This project is a ray of hope for people who have illnesses who would otherwise be in bleak circumstances or long term hospitalizations.”

James Plamondon, Co-President of Plamondon Companies, a major locally-owned restaurant and hotel operation in Western Maryland, said, “This project will help businesses like mine—and, as a result, help the economy in general– by providing to us dedicated and productive employees and supporting a workplace culture of inclusiveness that makes our customers feel even more welcome.”

The workforce initiative will be run by Sheppard Pratt Health System, and implemented in eight vocational rehabilitation sites throughout Maryland, in the following locations: Frederick, Hagerstown Columbia, Timonium, Westminster, Catonsville, Baltimore, and Gaithersburg, Md. At least 500 people will receive direct services from the initiative each year.

The Senate’s fiscal year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education funding bill that includes Senator Mikulski’s request will be considered by the full Appropriations Committee later this month before it comes up for a vote in the Senate, which has not yet been scheduled.