June 24, 2009

 

The Washington Community Mental Health Council’s Employer of the Year Award, recognizes a company, agency or organization that supports consumer employment. This year’s recipient of the statewide Employer of the Year Award is Skookum, whose corporate headquarters are based in Bremerton. Marie Campanoli, Marketing and Public Relations Director, accepted the award on behalf of Skookum during the June 19, 2009 Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference held in Vancouver, Washington.

Since 1988, Skookum has helped people with all types of disabilities to join the work force by providing critical services to business and government. They have taken a special interest in working with people with mental illness, and have had tremendous success in employing people with schizophrenia. Committed to the concept of a living wage – the cornerstone of moving from dependence to self-sufficiency - Skookum starts consumers off at an excellent beginning wage.

In addition, Skookum has had staff from Kitsap Mental Health Services provide training to their management team to educate them about mental illness and has taken the initiative to send many of their staff to a two-day training in Mental Health First Aid. Skookum partners with Kitsap Mental Health Services in employing consumers at a living wage, and is well-recognized for their support of the mental health community.