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JP Kennedy Institute Positive Alternatives Program Drug-Free Workforce Promising Practice"We’ve had tremendous client success by prioritizing the consumers’ needs and understanding that not all barriers have to be addressed in order to achieve employment. This approach is critical when working with people who have a history of substance abuse combined with other disabilities." -Ravita Maharaj The Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute is a private nonprofit agency that provides a range of services to people with developmental disabilities in Washington, DC and Prince George's, St. Mary's, Calvert, and Charles Counties in Maryland. Its Positive Alternatives Program provides employment opportunities for adults aged 18-55 with developmental disabilities who also are in recovery from drugs and alcohol. In 2002, this program was awarded a grant as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Disability Employment Initiative. This award builds on the project’s findings and services from the initial funding source to support a model demonstration program, a DOL award from 1998-2001 and a U.S. Department of Education award from 1995-1998. The Positive Alternatives Program provides a range of services, including on-the-job training, job development and placement, vocational evaluations and assessments, skills-based training, relapse prevention education, life skills, GED preparation and other supportive services. The program uses a hands-on approach to teaching tools for relapse prevention and recovery. Although 12-step components are incorporated, they are not the predominant approach. Rather, the focus is on the development of the life skills necessary to achieve and maintain recovery while building the job skills necessary to secure and maintain employment. This is achieved through both individualized and group work. A “wrap-around” approach to services has worked best with the Positive Alternatives Program’s target population, meaning that program staff works closely with vocational rehabilitation and mental health counselors, probation officers and other professionals to ensure successful outcomes. The majority of individuals referred to the Positive Alternatives Program have experienced significant barriers and challenges to employment. Many have not worked in more than five years and some have minimal to sporadic work experience and criminal justice system involvement. Also, a significant number have considerable learning disabilities and mental health problems. The majority have been in and out of substance abuse treatment programs. Each of the three Positive Alternatives Program sites (Washington, DC and Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties in Maryland) has a close collaborative relationship with state/city vocational rehabilitation systems, and other local community-based agencies. Strong partners in the project include the DC Rehabilitation Services Administration in DC, and the state Division of Rehabilitation Services in Maryland. Want to learn more?
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