Hello, and welcome to Level Up, Indiana! A newsletter by PCG to share vocational rehabilitation employment service provider stories and best practices. This week we are highlighting the wealth of resources that came out of our 2021 Mental Health and Employment Summit. But first, we’d like to invite you to our Supervisor Circle.

On May 24th through 26th this year, Level Up Indiana hosted a virtual Mental Health and Employment Summit virtually. This event brought together top researchers, subject matter experts, and employment service professionals to discuss the novel ways in which workplaces can become more aware of mental health conditions. Collectively, the speakers representing knowledge across numerous agencies, geographies and levels of organization. The following quote is just a sample of the sort of discussion that occurred during the summit.

"People need the supports they need regardless of the label they have, and I think we need to be more focused on individuals than on disability labels. I know that's easier said than done because the services are complicated, but even at a federal level conversations are happening about being more focused on the individuals." -Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D in "The Whole Person Approach: Supporting People with Co-occurring Disabilities"

While attendees appreciated the opportunity to engage in real-time with this wealth of knowledge, a product that's lasted is the recordings of these sessions. Any one of these discussions or Q&A's can be accessed through our website.

Just head to the resource page, which can be found here. You can use the content as a refresher, an opportunity to explore new ideas, or as inspiration for new ways to work with your clients.

Level Up plans to host this summit again in 2022. Be sure to subscribe to these newsletters if you aren't already to be notified when the date has been set! We look forward to having you there.

Additionally, if you have any suggestions for speakers at our 2022 summit, feel free to respond directly to this email with suggestions.

Thank You

From our desks to your programs across Indiana, we want to thank you for what you’re doing for the people of Indiana! VR Employment providers are essential to community services and results in so many lived being powerfully impacted.

If you have a story that you’d like shared in our newsletter, you can send it to us by responding to this newsletter. Have a great week!

-The Level Up Team