Goodwill Project Start

2003

Goodwill Industries obtained a "Welfare-to-Work" grant from the U. S. Department of Labor to assist individuals with various types of disabilities to leave welfare roles and join the workforce. Initial 3-year funding has expanded to five years of support to identify and provide rehabilitative services for persons with "hidden" disabilities such as drug and alcohol dependency, mental illness, learning disabilities, and/or developmental disabilities. The Munroe-Meyer Institute is a member of the multi-agency "START" Interdisciplinary Program and provides assessments to determine overall "eligibility" for the program as well as diagnostic information to assist in remediation and treatment of various disabilities that can impact employment success. MMI faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and interns conduct between 2 and 5 evaluations, per week, for the START Program. Recipients of services are often among the "most difficult" to place into competitive employment due to significant mental health, learning, or substance abuse problems. Recipients are unemployed parents currently receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families and whose eligibility for continued welfare support is ending. To date, over 150 assessments have been conducted by UCEDD faculty and trainees with over 70% of individuals being verified as eligible for services.

Evaluation; TWIA

Employment-Related Activities

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Family Members/Caregivers

Disadvantaged Circumstances

Mulit-County

N/A