06/25/2025
Bureau for Behavioral Health
June 25, 2025
The West Virginia Department of Human Services' Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH) would like to share the following information from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Planning for Employment in Recovery
Continuing Education Learning Series
The SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) is offering a webinar series or certified peer workers on supporting employment-related goals in recovery. Attendees receive certificates that may be used for continuing education credit for peer recertification in Collaboration with West Virginia Recovers and authored by PEER Resource Network, an approved provider of WVCBAPP.
Each 60-minute webinar is FREE and registration links are below! Register for one or more.
Questions? Email us at spark@c4innovates.com
Supporting People with Criminal Convictions to Navigate Applications & Interviews
July 15, 2025, 10-11 am Eastern
https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_je0PjoB2RgOKjNPNSHeobA
This webinar provides guidance for supporting justice-impacted individuals navigating the job application and interview process. Attendees will gain strategies to develop strong resumes, handle interview questions about criminal history, and utilize networking to enhance employment opportunities. This session will also cover the importance of letters of explanation, understanding fair-chance hiring policies, securing stop-gap jobs, and building long-term career strategies.
Seeking Reasonable Workplace Accommodations for People in Recovery
August 19, 2025, 10-11 am Eastern
https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_FnSBJ7cdSeWFia_xgq5h9g
People in remission from chronic, treatable conditions such as substance use or MH disorders may seek flexibility from current or future employers to help them sustain wellness in recovery. Job seekers may need a reasonable accommodation to increase their ability to perform their role at work. This webinar provides an overview of how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) clarifies employer obligations and reduces barriers to job opportunities based on health conditions.
Impact of Earned Income on Social Security Disability (SSDI) and SSI Benefits
Sept 9, 2025, 3-4 pm Eastern
https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_NKL0o596TmO7nCO6cNgF3w
People receiving disability payments may wish to try working and increasing their financial independence, but are often concerned that work is not allowed or will cancel their benefits. In reality, the Social Security Administration (SSA), which approves disability benefits, recognizes that employment is important for individual physical and mental health and supports people to be successful in the workplace. In this webinar, the presenters will give an overview of disability programs such as SSI and SSDI and explain how earned income can impact those benefits as well as related Medicaid or Medicare health benefits.
•West Virginia Recovers
•West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP)
•SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK)
