The 3 Steps program offers a 5-week paid workforce development initiative tailored for vulnerable community members, including individuals with disabilities, those with justice involvement, LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds seeking (re)entry into the workforce. Through a trauma-informed approach, participants receive support in soft skills development alongside social and emotional wellness components. This integrated training addresses behavioral health needs while focusing on core occupational skills. The program aims to facilitate participants' successful integration into competitive employment, with a key social impact goal of reducing recidivism and sustaining independent living. Peer Support Specialists collaborate with participants throughout the process, from occupational assessments to co-producing vocational plans and providing job development, placement, and coaching services.
Maryland residents and community leaders can undergo Healing Us Together (HUT), a paid 5-session train-the-trainer series. HUT equips them to facilitate healing-centered community conversations. This model empowers participants, particularly those exposed to overwhelming adversities and violence, to reframe their experiences and tackle life challenges.
MIN-T is an 8-session healing centered community intervention aimed at enhancing the restorative wellness knowledge and skills of facilitators within Trauma-Informed Healing Ecosystem (TIHE) Baltimore. This collaborative effort, co-produces with residents recognized as trusted allies in addressing mental health challenges, particularly in communities of color.
The program integrates SAMHSA's 8 Dimensions of Wellness framework with insights from neuroscience, epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Resilience (NEAR) science. The project's aim is to enhance leadership capacity for self-care and community support, adopting a collective healing and restorative wellness approach.
Additionally, participants gain access to national Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification and NARCAN training, along with harm reduction kits. These resources are provided at no cost within the continuum of supports offered through TIHE Baltimore.
Financial wellness is crucial for overall wellbeing, closely tied to employment success. Effective money management acts as self-care, alleviating financial stress and contributing to optimal performance in both personal and professional spheres.
Introducing GoodLife Financial Wellness: a two-session financial education workshop, each lasting 90 minutes. It utilizes Money Habitudes, a engaging card game designed to uncover beliefs and habits regarding money that either aid or hinder financial goals. Participants delve into their money habits, receive guidance in budget creation from a financial educator, and are rewarded with a Visa gift card as equitable compensation for their time, motivating them to kickstart their savings journey.
Peer Navigators with lived experiences to those of consumers conduct assertive engagement and outreach to enroll eligible persons.
Vocational assessment of an individual’s strengths, skills, interest, preference, support system, resources, prior work experience, support needs, aspirations, and other factors which may impact employment.
. Development of an Individualized Vocational Plan (IVP), which utilizes synthesized information from the vocational assessment and specifies goals, objectives, and interventions which support the individual to obtain, maintain, and/or advance in competitive employment.
Eligibility determination and coordination with referral entities, including assisting individuals to apply to Maryland Dept. of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to determine if they are eligible for employment services.
Disability disclosure support, to include discussion of risks and benefits and supporting individuals in making an informed choice regarding whether, how, and when to disclose a disability to an employer or potential employer.
Entitlements education (when applicable), to include discussion of the individual’s current federal and state benefits, the potential impact of work earnings on those benefits, and applicable work incentives.
Job development, to include identifying potential job leads based on the individual’s expressed preferences and in accordance with the individual's vocational plan or IVP, assistance with job applications, resume development, interview preparation and assistance, employer advocacy (if the individual has chosen to disclose), and other supports necessary to secure employment.
Job placement, to include assisting the individual to negotiate with the employer a mutually acceptable job offer and advocating for the terms and conditions of employment, to include any reasonable accommodations and adaptations requested by the individual.
Intensive job coaching (on and/or off the job site, dependent upon the individual’s disclosure preference) to assist the individual in preserving the job placement, resolving employment crises and in stabilizing the employment situation for continuing employment. In addition to employer education and advocacy, mobility skills training and other support services as needed to promote job stability and social integration within the employment environment.