At Sanctuary Centers, we believe that it is necessary to provide our clients with the opportunity to clarify both their short and long-term career, vocational, and educational goals. Our Career Development Specialist works collaboratively with each client to develop a customized service plan designed to help them achieve their goals.

Career Development Services also offers our clients comprehensive and personalized support as they participate in career-oriented activities both independently and in groups. Based on each client’s level of need and desired support, we offer services ranging from employment preparation groups and career coaching to assistance with attaining full-time employment in the local community. As our clients participate in Career Development services, they also receive one-on-one vocational counseling and support. All these components work in tandem to ensure that the needs and goals of our clients are being met in the program.

Sanctuary Centers is an accredited vendor for the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). DOR has chosen to work with our experienced Career Development Specialists who are sensitive to the unique needs of those living with a mental illness.

What to Expect

Sanctuary Centers strongly believes in empowering our clients to gain consistency and purpose in their lives. We envision the community integration and self-sufficiency of a career as an excellent route to this empowerment. To this end, Career Development Services provides our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to obtain the training, education, and assistance necessary to secure a rewarding position in the local Santa Barbara workforce.

Program Goals

Specific, thoughtful goals are a necessary component of a successful job search.

  • Sanctuary Centers intends to increase each client’s personal empowerment, independence, and self-sufficiency as they train, learn, and interview for jobs in their community.

Services Include

  • To clarify which jobs might be a good fit for each client based on their particular interests and aptitudes, Sanctuary Centers offers a computerized Aviator® interest and aptitude assessment. This assessment identifies clients’ interests, skills, abilities, values and limitations in community, educational, and work settings.
  • We guide our clients as they build both short-term and long-term educational, vocational, and career goals. Clients are continually motivated to take the steps required to achieve their goals.
  • Clients are encouraged to explore the limitations that result from symptoms of mental illness and identify strategies and coping skills to combat those limitations in a work and/or school setting.
  • Additionally, Sanctuary Centers’ employment preparation assistance teaches the skills necessary to successfully complete a job search, such as: creating a strong resume and cover letter, learning how to properly fill out a job application, growing effective job seeking skills and strategies, interviewing successfully, and securing and maintaining employment.
  • When ready, clients are eligible for community job placement, in positions both paid and volunteer. For clients who find careers, coaching and assistance for maintaining employment is available as well.
    For clients seeking a degree program, we offer educational placement (elective or academic).
  • Vocational Training is also an option for any interested clients.

We also offer additional services for those participating in our Mental Health Inpatient Care and Mental Health Outpatient Care programs:

  • Our program team provides assistance with clients’ public resource needs, such as: public transportation, Social Security benefits, Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits, etc.
  • Our team also offers our clients support in maintaining a healthy level of activity in the community to prevent regression into past unhealthy patterns.

State and Federal Entitlements/Benefits

Sanctuary Centers understands the importance of financial resources as it relates to access to medical care for our clients on their path to independence. This is especially true of clients when they may not be ready for paid employment. We also empathize with the frustration and confusion that people often experience while applying for entitlements.

Entitlement and benefit programs provide clients with the opportunity to access the financial and medical resources they need to survive. With these resources, clients can continue their medical care while they build their financial independence and self-reliance. Additionally, entitlements can be carried into the future, where they work as a “safety net” to ensure a baseline of financial, medical, and housing security for clients as they grow.

For clients who are interested and eligible, Sanctuary Center’s Career Development Services offers assistance and guidance around applying for the following state and federal benefits:

  • Social Security Disability Insurance
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Medi-Cal Medical Benefits
  • Medicare Medical Benefits
  • Food Stamps

When assisting with the application process, our caring and experienced Career Development staff educates every eligible client about their qualified entitlement programs. Our Career Development Staff then helps each client as they complete and submit all appropriate application materials. Whenever needed, the staff also aids the client in completing and submitting any required medical documentation. If a client needs help resolving and clarifying any issues that surface throughout the process, our staff is glad to be of assistance.

Simply applying and even qualifying for benefits is not the end of the process, however. Once benefits are secured, our dedicated Career Development staff also educate each client about Social Security’s “Work Incentives” so that clients can return to work with a clear understanding of how their growing independence and productivity will impact their benefits.

How Much Does It Cost for Career Development Services?

Career Development services are already included in Mental Health Inpatient Care.

In our Mental Health Outpatient Care program, a Career Development Individual Session is $90 per session (private pay). Career Development Groups may range from $65 to $100 per session (private pay). We also offer flat fee service packages available that may include Career Development services.

Sanctuary Centers also offers these services through the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Click here to apply for DOR services.

Getting Started With Career Development Services

Private Pay

Contact Us (805) 569-2785

Department of Rehabilitation Applicants

  • Apply for Department of Rehabilitation services.
  • Upon meeting with a DOR Counselor, request to work with Sanctuary Centers to complete the Aviator® Interest and Aptitude Assessment, for employment services to secure paid employment, or both!

Career Development Forms/Resources

CONTACT

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