Firelands employee honored with international award

Submitted by FIRELANDS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
SANDUSKY – Sarah Wagner, peer advocate with the Vocational Rehabilitation program of Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services, has received the 2018 IPS Learning Community Peer Advocate Award. The award is given to those who have been active in their state/program demonstrating outstanding advocacy, involvement in educational activities and/ or leadership regarding Individual Placement and Support.

IPS is a model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression). IPS supported employment helps people living with behavioral health conditions work at regular jobs of their choosing.

cPeer advocates are nominated for the award by supervisors or other team leads. Each year, the IPS Employment Center team selects the 2018 peer advocate from the nominations. Only one person is chosen for the award each year. This international award will be presented to Wagner at the International IPS Conference on May 22. ‘

The IPS Learning Community includes 23 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Alameda County (California), Broward County (Florida), and four countries outside the U.S.: Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and New Zealand. Within these states, regions and countries, IPS trainers, mental health leaders, vocational rehabilitation leaders, peer leaders, family leaders, and employers work together in serving people with serious mental illness who want to gain employment as part of their recovery.

Wagner has been a certified Peer Recovery Supporter with the state of Ohio since February 2016, and has been working with the Vocational Rehabilitation program at Firelands Counseling & Recovery Services since April 2016. She resides in Sandusky.

For information, visit www.firelands.com/mentalhealth