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In this episode of The 411 Live, host, Beverly Taylor meets with Samantha Kovatch, Margaux Baumgarten, and Kjersten Pederson, to introduce a comprehensive community service program for adults and youth.

Samantha Kovatch says, “If you’ve really gotten deep and dark into the substance abuse role or situation and you just want to get out of it and you don’t know how to get that help. Somebody could definitely reach out to Jewish Family Services.”

They not only discuss all the available services the Comprehensive Community Services (CSS) side of the Jewish Family Services offers, but they also talk about the close connections they make, the goals they help members to achieve, and the lives that have been changed through their connections not only to therapists but employers as well. They assist some clients to get jobs. The key to living your best life can be only a call away.

Additional Information

What is CCS (Comprehensive Community Services)

• Voluntary Medicaid program- Adults and Youth
• Mental Health or Substance Abuse diagnoses (or both)
• Services are rehabilitative and recovery-focused- promote independence
  • Wide range of services to address different types of needs
• Community-based program (services can be in-home, office, or out in the community)
• Choose goal(s) based on consumer’s needs
• Recovery plan is created with services to address goal(s)
  • Plan is revisited every 6 months

What would lead someone to seek CCS service? 

• Homelessness (loss of employment, displaced by family/ friends, abusive relationships, poor communication/ independent living skills)
• Lack of resources/ or knowledge about community programs
• Mental health or substance abuse issues that make managing day-to-day activities difficult.- We see a lot of untreated drama, family history of substance abuse, abuse that cause people to develop mental health symptoms or an addiction issue
• New Mental health or substance abuse diagnosis that you want to learn more about and work towards a more independent life

Who do I call to get into CCS? 

Contact a CCS agency directly (Jewish Family Services 414-467-1548)
Call the CCS referral line (414-257-6060)
Call the CARS referral if you don’t know what kind of help you need (414-257-6901)

What kind of services can someone receive through CCS? 

Examples include; talk therapy, access to groups (therapy, peer-run or skill development) medication management, independent skill development, peer support, equine therapy, art therapy, music therapy, FLOAT services, personal training, dietician services, payee/ financial coaching, employment help)

• What is IPS
  • Individual Placement and Support, supporting those with severe mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse issues, and other barriers that get in the way of job searching, interviewing, and holding a job
  • Non-exclusionary
• how employment or lack thereof affects a person’s quality of life speak to previous experience
• Diversity of experiences in a company
• The importance of a personal narrative- build it before people and employers build it for you, interview skills
• Barriers- my experience with hiring people with job coaches, implicit bias

What is a care coordinator? What do you like about being a CC/ employment specialist?

• Someone assigned to a participant who helps them to identify their goals, services and helps to put together their recovery team
• Makes referrals and coordinates providers and services
• Facilitates meetings with providers to make sure needs are being met and monitor progress
• Helps them to walk through the mental health network and get the help that they need

Contact Info