Mental Health Systems (MHS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to provide innovative and cost-effective mental health services to California residents state-wide. MHS operates more than 80 community-based programs throughout California including ‘CalWORKs’ which is designed to transition people from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency through employment. Toward that end, MHS provides a wide variety of training, professional development seminars and community outreach events year-round. Their training’s and courses are taught by a staff of highly trained, expert behavioral health professionals and their conferences include nationally recognized speakers and trainers. The events are designed to provide a unique interactive learning environment as well as provide networking opportunities for clients.
On Monday, September 8th, 2014, Harmony Curtiss, Director of Special Funding for Healing Hands School of Holistic Health (HHSHH) was invited to speak at one such event in Oceanside, California. “All welfare to work participants receive an appraisal of their education and employment background as well as assistance in finding a job or obtaining the education and training necessary to become financially self-sufficient” said Ms. Curtiss. “Healing Hands was invited because we care about our students and we help them through the process of enrollment to employment. We deeply respect the training and physical work it takes to be a long-lasting massage therapist and we are always here to help our students as well as graduates succeed in their chosen field. In addition to our ability to help students from all walks of life achieve their dreams, we are a nationally accredited school and listed on California’s Eligible Training Provider List which allows us to provide vocational training to CalWORKs clients. Another reason we were targeted is because the field of Massage Therapist is considered an ‘in-demand’ career with job growth at 23%, higher than any other industry segment. Just as importantly, our training can be completed in as little as a year and starting salaries range between $20 and $45 an hour making it a ‘financially viable’ career as well”, she added.
CalWORKs services are offered through Social Services as well as several Multi-Service Centers where employment related activities take place. These include: vocational assessment, employment readiness and job appraisal, education and job training services, referrals to community services, and ongoing employment goals coaching. CalWORKs clients must be either a recipient of assistance through San Diego County’s California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) or enrolled in the Welfare-to-Work Initiative. CalWORKs clients are referred by Welfare-to-Work Employment Case Managers. They also work with referrals through other community-based organizations to secure necessary Employment Case Manager referrals. For more information about CalWORKs call (858) 573-2600.
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health has been serving residents through two regional campuses located in Escondido and Laguna Hills for over 22 years. With more than 80 Holistic Health courses and two Certification Programs to offer, HHSHH is considered a trail-blazer for Holistic Health Education in Southern California. To date, HHSHH has prepared more than 6,000 students for successful and rewarding careers in Massage Therapy and Holistic Health. To find out more about the educational programs or financial aid available at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health please visit us on-line at www.healinghandsschool.com or call us at (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills, or (760) 746-9364 in Escondido.