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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-2017 HRC Correspondence - Item 1 (Transitions - MHA)1,7r Inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. Ild IV TNmHA September 19, 2017 Transitions -Mental Health Association Human Relations Commission c/o 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Dear Friends, RECEIVED CI': Y OF= SAN LUIS OBISPO SEP 2 0 2017 COMMUNITY MEVE_LGPMENT Thank you for this opportunity to share our thoughts about the health and human service needs for residents of the City of San Luis Obispo, with a particular focus on mental health. Transitions -Mental Health Association (TMHA) is a community based, private non-profit human services agency. Since 1979, TMHA has developed and operated housing, employment, and rehabilitation programs in San Luis Obispo for adults, seniors and youth with mental illness as well as homeless disabled adults. The vast majority of TMHA clients are on the lowest rung of the economic ladder. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), 71% of mental health clients report an annual income of $20,000 or less and "an estimated one-third to one-half of people who live with serious mental illness lives at, or near, the federal poverty level." TMHA has an established history of working with a client base that is part of California's poverty population, and our strategy remains unchanged when it comes to systemically addressing their needs. We provide supported, subsidized housing, a full spectrum of behavioral health services, and truly unique employment opportunities. All of these are tools for recovery and independent living, critical steps in creating a pathway out of poverty. Anyone who has gone through a period of unemployment understands the frustration and humiliation that comes with the inability to support oneself. Adults living with mental and emotional disorders already feel marginalized by society. In Central California, 75% of our local population with a mental illness desire work in order to lead a "normal life." Yet there are few opportunities for people with little to no work history. The pressures of unemployment are magnified profoundly when a head of family is involved. The convergence of stress and responsibility is experienced by the entire family unit, and when hopelessness takes root it can be impossible to shake as circumstances fail to change. Each year, TMHA's employment programs help dozens of single parents and heads of families with mental health challenges, people who are trying to get back on their feet and need someone to take a chance on them. In recent years we have observed an increase in the number of adult children with mental illness who are seeking their first taste of independent living, or simply trying to make a meaningful financial contribution to their family of origin. Post Office Box 15408 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 • P 805.540.6500 • F 805.540.6501 • www.t-mha.org As medications, therapeutic treatment, and social support opportunities have improved for adults with mental illness in our community, we have seen more clients moving from subsistence living and isolation to attainable goals of a permanent home, community, and work. This has been dramatically evident by the increasing number of client referrals to our work programs. Our Growing Grounds Farm & Nursery and Downtown retail store provide the vast majority of transitional or permanent employment positions available for this population, which has a statewide unemployment rate of 92% (CASRA, 2016). All client employees earn at least minimum wage for their work. Currently, 70% of Growing Grounds client employees live in the city of San Luis Obispo. 100% are at or below the poverty level, and over 60% have been homeless at one point in their lives. Growing Grounds Social Enterprises represent a notable first step in our City for mentally disabled adults to return to work. In the words of one of our client employees, "I cannot think of any other employer that would look at me and say, `So, you haven't worked in 18 years, and you have a lived experience with mental illness ... when can you startT I am and always will be eternally grateful to TMHA for giving me a second chance at life." The challenge for TMHA is to meet this expanding demand among our client population for work opportunities when our employment programs are not experiencing a proportionate increase in funding. To that end, we recommend that you continue to rind ways to support new employment opportunities for men and women who are frequently frozen out of the job market. In addition, public transit that is affordable, timely and gets low income people to work, school and support is critical. Lastly, the issue of access to affordable, supportive housing is therip mary way that people who have a mental health diagnosis can recover and thrive. Logistical and technical support for affordable housing has been and continues to be critical for us to have a balanced, thriving community. Thank you for your consideration of these issues. We appreciate all that you do for the City of San Luis Obispo. Very truly yours, C a Jill Bolster -White, Executive Director Meghan Boaz Alvarez, Clinical Director Barry Johnson, Division Director Rehabilitation and Advocacy Services Joe Madsen, Division Director Housing and Support Services Frank Ricceri, Division Director Social Enterprises r , TRANSITIONS -MHA Post Office Box 15408 �• 1 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Human RE C/o 919 P San Luis (