Local Resident Toni Wolf Receives International Award

Toni Wolf, Executive Director of Employment Options recently received the Irvin Rutman Award for outstanding services in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation. The first for a Massachusetts resident, the award was presented by a prestigious organization in the psychiatric field, the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (IAPSRS) to recognize leaders in the psychiatric field. The IAPSRS Conference is among the largest in the public mental health field and saw over one thousand attendees from all over the country in San Diego, California in late May of 2004.

The Irvin Rutman Award

Is presented in recognition of the exemplary contributions of Dr. Irvin D. Rutman, founding President of IAPSRS. The Rutman award is presented to an executive director of a psychosocial program who has demonstrated leadership in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation as well as in the promoting of the mission of IAPSRS. The selection is based on contributions in the areas of exemplary management, leadership, board development, communication, and quality programming of a psychosocial program.

Toni A. Wolf

As Executive Director of a rehabilitation agency since 1989, Toni Wolf has provided leadership and a forward looking anticipatory approach to respond to the needs of people living with mental illness through the Employment Options Clubhouse program. In 1994, Toni Wolf received an award from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) for outstanding service, advocacy and dedication to the delivery of high quality mental health care. In 2002, with the vision of Toni Wolf, Employment Options published a book, "Voices of Hope", a continuing journey of 23 ordinary people of extraordinary spirit, who live with a mental illness.

Her consistent enthusiasm for the "clubhouse philosophy" where the transfer of power is with the consumer and her twenty five years of experience in rehabilitation has allowed her to support consumers, families and staff to achieve recovery and growth. She also has supported the Clubhouse's International movement by acting as Chairwoman of the Advisory Board at the International Center on Clubhouse Development.

Employment Options

Is a non-profit agency, serving two distinct populations in the Metro West region, namely those in need of mental health services and those low income individuals that require workforce development services. With an award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and the DMH, Employment Options with its Family Project and Clubhouse Family Legal Support Project is now leading the way in Massachusetts in advocacy and providing an array of services to parents with mental illness.

"Employment Options realizes that parenting is a significant and potentially healing role for adults with mental illness. With the support of our funders and dedicated staff, Options will continue to work on keeping the family unit strong by empowering parents with the necessary ingredients to be the best parents they can be", says Toni Wolf.

In order to sustain the programming that's working, Wolf has expanded her advocacy from mental health advocacy to fiscal advocacy. She's built partnerships with donors, and is actively seeking more contributors to help fund the services that promote a barrier-free, strengthened community. Businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to sign on as a fiscal friend of Employment Options. For further information on Toni Wolf and Employment Options please visit our website at www.employmentoptions.org or call (508) 485-5051 X 225.

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