Assisting those with behavioral health-related barriers to employment

Wellness, Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation and Employment (WeCARE) is a unique program funded by New York City's Human Resources Administration (HRA) that addresses the needs of Cash Assistance clients in the Bronx with medical and/or mental health barriers to employment by providing individualized assistance and services. A case manager works with each individual to develop an individualized plan that connects them to a variety of services to fit their needs. Clients may move between tracks during the course of the program, which includes a significant case management component, to ensure that they remain engaged and achieve outcomes. We support employability determinations based on medical documentation and/or a medical evaluation. There are four outcomes of a comprehensive, clinical assessment that will assist individuals with the appropriate Functional Capacity Outcome:

1. Fully Employable—No Functional Limitations (the individual is employable)
2. Employable and Clinically Stable—Requiring Vocational Rehabilitation Services
3. Temporarily Unable to Work—Requires a Wellness Plan to address untreated or unstable medical and/or mental health conditions
4. Clinically Stable, Permanently Disabled—Unable to Work for 12 or more months due to a medical and/or mental health condition and is potentially eligible for federal disability benefits (SSI)