Introduction
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation program that endeavors to match and support work ready veterans in competitive jobs, and to consult with business and industry regarding their specific employment needs.
Over the years CWT veterans have been successfully employed in various competitive positions including health care, information technology, manufacturing, warehousing, construction trades, clerical and office support, retail and the services delivery.
Professional CWT staff provides state of the art vocational rehabilitation services; job matching and employment supports, case management, work site and job analysis, consultation regarding assistive technology, accommodation, and guidance in addressing ADA regulations compliance.
CWT Program services are targeted to veterans who are unemployed, and who present with serious and persistent mental illnesses and/or substance abuse problems and medical disabilities that interfere with their ability to access and/or retain meaningful employment.
For information on the national program, http://www1.va.gov/vetind/
Mission
The mission of the Compensated Work Therapy Programs is to assist veterans to enter or re-enter the workforce. The program provides services to individuals with disabilities that may cause barriers to employment. Studies have found that returning to competitive employment in the community, regardless of the number of hours worked, results in greater independence, social integration and personal well being.
Forms of Compensated Work Therapy
Transitional work
Support in finding a job (resume, places to work, advocacy with employers, accommodations for disabilities,
Often in the VA hospital setting; A bridge to a competitive job that ends when a competitive job is found
Supported Employment
Support in finding a job
Continuing support to retain the job (work with employer on specific duties, manner of work, help for employers to understand symptoms and issues faced, issues with concentration and social behavior)
Continues as long as the Veteran wants or needs that level of support
What is Supported Employment Services?
The program concentrates on helping you to develop your work goals, dreams, skills and abilities to succeed at employment.
The goal is to assist you in finding and maintaining competitive employment in the community
No lengthy pre-employment training is involved
Treatment will be coordinated with your clinicians and other treatment team members
Services are based on your preference for work
Supports will be provided for an unlimited period of time
Note: For research on the Vocational Rehabilitation for Psychiatric Disability see: http://www1.va.gov/vetind/page.cfm?pg=6
Your Employment Specialist will assist you with the following:
Contact information
CWT Director - Mary Sperrazza —203.479.8026
Vocational Specialists:
Kenneth Bouchard- 203.932.5711 x5498
June Heffernan—860.594.6308
Lloyd Inabinet —203.479.3071
Ernest Johnson—203.415.6805
Kathryn Petruccione—203.500.7006
Stacey Rovinsky- 203.506.4068
Scott Smith-203.464-7018
Monita Sundell—860.212.0014
Juliet Taylor – 203.506.4077
Office Hours:
8:00 – 4:30 Monday through Friday
Our Locations
Errera Community Care Center
114 Boston Post Road, 2nd Floor
West Haven, CT 06516
203.479.8051
VA Medical Center – West Haven - 950 Campbell Avenue, Building 6 , West Haven, CT 06515, 203.932.5711, Extension 3587
VA Medical Center – Newington - 555 Willard Avenue, Building 2 3d Floor (Mental Hygiene Wing), Newington, CT 06511, 860.594.6323
CWT Contact For Employers
CWT provides a wide range of services for industry including; work site and job assessment, staff training and consultation services, employee assessment and screening, and job matching and follow-up services.
CWT supports veterans through vocational case management and workplace supports to facilitate continued employment success.
In conjunction with the CWT program, industry is able to expand its work ready applicant pool and develop a pre-screening opportunity for future employees.
If your company in Connecticut is searching for prescreened workers to address staffing shortfalls, please contact us.
Veterans' Comments:
I hadn't worked in 20 years – the support I was given made me realize I could go to work like everybody else“ “Bob"
"Typically, when I had a relapse, and my symptoms went out of control, I would quit my job. This time, my employment specialist was able to speak with my boss and clear the way for me to take some time off and return to my job" "Rita"
"I had no problem getting a job – but keeping a job was a whole other story, when I logged in 35 jobs in four years – I knew I needed help in this area – working with supported employment and my psychiatrist gave me a chance for stability in a job that I love – January 2007 will be one year on the job – with two raises" "Nick"
This is a website maintained by Veterans and volunteers. While the contents of this site have been developed in cooperation with VA personnel, it is not an official site of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Clarifying what kind of work you would like to do
Resume preparation
Interview preparation
Coordination of transportation
Networking and utilizing community resources
Connecting with employers
Link to handbook for download
After you have obtained a job
Individualized job coaching.
Deciding when, if and how to disclose personal and medical information
Assistance with job "start up" – orientation, time cards, job duties; safety review (what to do if an emergency occurs while on the job – i.e. fire, emergency, accident on the job)
Helping you to identify and negotiate reasonable accommodations or modifications if necessary
Identifying and building on your strengths
Stress management
Social skills training
Job retention
Eligibility - Who can receive CWT Transitional and Supported Employment Services?
To be eligible for Supported Employment services you must:
Be a veteran in treatment with the VA Medical Center with a disability that causes a barrier to employment
Be referred by your clinician
Your Right to fair services:
The VA Connecticut Health Care System, along with Supported Employment services management, ensures that our program functions with the utmost regard for the preservation of the human rights of those it serves.
Supported Employment Services treats everyone it serves fairly, regardless of race, age, religion, color, sex, national origin, veteran or military status, handicap or disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other condition protected by Federal or State law.
Your Team:
The SES staff members who will work closest with you are your Employment Specialist and Program Director.
This is your team and they will work for you as along as you want them to.
Your employment specialist will also coordinate services with your clinicians and other treatment providers.
You may also opt to include family members or a close friend to be part of your team.
Supported Employment Services has no time limits and will be available to you indefinitely, provided your continued participation.
Getting Started:
Your clinician will refer you to the Supported Employment Program
An Employment Specialist will be assigned to you and will call to schedule an appointment
At the first couple of appointments, your employment specialist will conduct an intake and assessment to start gathering information about you that we will use in searching for work. This will include your past work history, your strengths and what type of work and environment you would like to work in
You and your Employment Specialist will write an individual plan to set employment goals
Treatment Plan
Within the first 10 business days or by the third appointment in the program, your employment specialist will develop a plan with you that will be written to meet your individual needs and goals.
This document is meant to guide you as you move towards achieving employment and will be updated every 6 months or whenever significant changes in employment status occurs. It will take into account the following:
Your work skills and strengths
Your dreams and aspirations
Any concerns that need to be addressed such as medical, transportation, benefits counseling, Medical and psychological history
Concerns or obstacles that may interfere with employment, and how best to address them
Job Search
Once an individual plan has been written with you, your vocational specialist will assist you with a job search. This may include:
Assistance writing a resume and filling out applications
Assistance with identifying employers and companies that meet your needs
Contacting employers to follow-up on applications and to set up interviews
Assistance with interview skills, including attending the interview with you if requested
Assistance with addressing gaps in work history, medical needs and other personal needs with an employer.
Helping you in determining what information, if any, will be disclosed to an employer. The final decision is left to you.
Negotiating reasonable accommodations on the job
Once you obtain a job,
your employment specialist will provide on-going job coaching supports to assist you in starting and maintaining your job. These could include:
Filling out paperwork
Assuring that your supervisor has reviewed any safety needs and concerns specific to your work environment
Assisting you in adjusting to your new job and tasks
Training for new tasks
Coordinating with your employer to resolve and issues as they may arise on the job.
Your employment specialist MAY NOT share any personal or medical information with an employer without your written consent
Your Obligations as a Participant with Supported Employment:
You have a desire to work or want to explore employment
To show up for each appointment or call to cancel or reschedule if necessary
Understand that undertaking a job search and/or working can be time consuming and difficult – so give your self a lot of encouragement and ask for it from others in your life
Understand you are not obligated to follow suggestions made by your employment specialist
Bring any questions you may have to the attention of your counselor for discussion
Accredited by CARF – The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation facilities
Confidentiality
The things in your file may not be shown to people outside Veterans Industries/Supported Employment Services Program without your permission.
If you want to view your files or a copy of your files, you must follow the VA Connecticut Health Care medical records procedures. Your employment Specialist can assist you with this.
Your employment specialist may not share any personal or medical information with an employer without your written consent.
Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residence Program Collaboration
The Compensated Work Therapy/ Transitional Residence Program (CWT/TR) is a work-based Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP) offering a therapeutic residential setting for veterans involved in Compensated Work Therapy (CWT).
This program provides a rehabilitation-focused residential setting for veterans recovering from chronic mental illness, chemical dependency and homelessness.
CWT/TR provides a bridge between hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment and successful community reintegration. The program utilizes a residential therapeutic community of peer and professional support, with a strong emphasis on increasing personal responsibility and achievement of individualized rehabilitation goals.
CWT/TR differs from other VA-operated residential bed programs in that participants contribute (using their VI/CWT earnings) to the cost of operating and maintaining their residences and are responsible for planning, purchasing and preparing their own meals.
For more information on the program see: http://www1.va.gov/vetind/page.cfm?pg=5
While the contents of this site have been developed in cooperation with VA personnel, it is not an official site of the Department of Veterans Affairs.