The Regional Research Institute of Portland State University’s School of Social Work has recently been awarded a grant for a new Research and Training Center from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR, US DOE) and the Center for Mental Health Services (US HHS). The Pathways to Positive Futures Center will focus on transition to adulthood for young people with serious mental health issues.  The project is described at:
http://www.rri.pdx.edu/pathways_2_positive_futures_article.pdf

One the research studies that will be conducted through the Pathways Center is called My Career Vision Project. This is an intervention study of a program designed to support young adults with serious mental health issues to identify career goals and to develop career plans. Dr. Jo-Ann Sowers is currently seeking young adult advisors to help in the design and implementation of this study. Applicants should have experience receiving mental health services and have had difficulty getting or keeping a job because of their mental health issues, but is currently successfully working or moving toward their career goal.

Description:

We are seeking young adults who will serve as advisors to a research study about career planning by young adults with mental health issues. Specifically, we are looking for young people between the ages of 22 and 30 who have received mental health services, and who have struggled to get or keep a job because of their mental health issues. If you fit this description and you think you might like to help, please send us your resume. You will receive $20.00 per hour for offering us advice during the next year. The number of hours each month will vary, but usually will be no more than a couple of hours and can be scheduled at your convenience.

Application Instructions:

Email the following 2 items to Jo-Ann Sowers at sowersj@pdx.edu

1.  Your resume

2.  A Word document (no longer than 2 pages total) including your name, age, phone number, and answers to the following 3 questions:

a.    Describe any experiences you have had receiving mental health services.

b.   Describe any difficulties you have had getting and/or keeping a job as a result of your mental health issues.

c.    Describe any experience you have seeking and/or getting employment assistance.