Introduction Letter

The Governor's W-2 & AODA Task Force took the charge of the Governor to collaborate and promote partnerships to more effectively address the needs of W-2 participants. The Task Force has finalized recommendations that address the integration of recovery and employment, improved communication, and comprehensive case management as the practical approaches to working with the W-2 participant.

Current caseload data indicates that thirty percent of the W-2 Transition (those with the most severe barriers to employment) participants are receiving services for AODA and mental health issues. Despite intensive outreach efforts for one of our most difficult to identify participant groups, anecdotal information estimates that the percentage of those in need of AODA services may be much higher, many of these co-occurring with mental health and domestic violence.

In the business of providing human services, no matter what system the participant is in, we must keep the well being of the family uppermost in service provision. This is a difficult-to-serve population and inter-systems coordination is the most effective way we can address our participant's needs. Efforts must not only focus on participants but also on ourselves, by educating one another on how our successful programs work. It is imperative to the success of participants that we share areas of expertise to help self-sufficiency become a reality for families.

This guide is named Making it Work because we believe the recommendations of improved communication, inter-systems collaboration, comprehensive case management, and the integration of employment and recovery will work with the most challenging W-2 participant. Adopting these approaches may, in many instances, require changes in how W-2 agencies do business. Each W-2 agency will decide how to make use of these tools, since they are recommendations not requirements. These suggestions constitute the best advice of experts in the field of identifying and addressing AODA with co-occurring mental health, and domestic violence issues.

It has been a distinct pleasure and a fine learning experience to work with this group of dedicated professionals. Their product is a valuable resource that I hope you will find useful.

Sincerely,