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Mary, 2020

Mary is 54 years old and is diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder. Due to her mental health diagnosis, Mary was in and out of hospitals over 20 times in her lifetime. She was referred to the WCRC program to assist her with stopping the cycle of continued hospitalizations. Upon entry into WCRC, Mary was assigned a primary counselor that assisted her with setting short-term and long-term goals. Along with her primary counselor, Mary had the support of the WCRC team to help her work towards achieving the goals that she set for herself. Mary wanted to return to school and get her GED. She was able to complete this goal. Upon entry, the WCRC primary counselor assisted Mary with applying for social security benefits and obtaining a copy of her social security card. After several months, Mary began receiving SSI benefits and began money management with her WCRC counselor. Mary hadn’t worked in many years and her work history was sporadic. Due to this, WCRC referred Mary to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) and Mary began working with the WCRC Job Coach on employment skills and job search with Time Limited Job Coaching services. Clients can receive work part time and still receive SSI benefits which allows them more income to support themselves as well as helps them find something they enjoy doing. Time Limited Job Coaching with the WCRC Job Coach allowed Mary to have hands on assistance with learning how to write a resume, practice interview skills and learn soft job skills. Mary’s WCRC Job Coach assisted her with submitting job applications and went with her on job interviews. Mary got a job working at Walmart as a cashier. Mary’s WCRC Job Coach was with her on her first day of work and helped her to learn her job duties as well as develop a relationship with her supervisor. As Mary learned her job duties, the WCRC Job Coach slowly reduced her assistance but would step back in as needed if problems arose on the job. In the individual and group sessions at WCRC, Mary learned life skills, coping skills and how to manage her mental illness and recognize her symptoms. Once employed, Mary continued to do money management with her counselor and learned budgeting skills, opened a savings account, learned how to pay bills and save for her future. Mary graduated successfully from the WCRC program after 15 months and moved to independent living in an apartment in Baton Rouge. Upon her graduation from WCRC, a graduation party was held to celebrate her success. WCRC staff assisted her with finding affordable housing that was on the bus line to allow her transportation. Mary applied for food stamps upon her exit from WCRC and received these. Mary continued to check in with the WCRC staff at least one time per week for at least one year to ensure follow up support on her job as well as with maintaining mental health recovery. During her stay, Mary was able to reconnect with her family and improve her relationship with them by showing them that she was ready to turn her life around.

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