RISE’S EMPLOYMENT PAYS! PROGRAM FEATURED ON HENNEPIN COUNTY’S WEBSITE
Jun 21, 2016
![DashawandaCole0616 intellectual and developmental disabilities girl restocking shelves](https://rise.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/DashawandaCole0616-1024x683-portrait-5ef2561d66e91b2e0bccf357a2c6b740-60895b7473f09.jpg)
Posted on Jun 21, 2016
Dashawanda Cole was having suicidal thoughts. “I didn’t think I’d actually act on them,” she recalls, now 18 months later, “but I was scared of myself. I didn’t feel safe.” She went to HCMC’s Acute Psychiatric Services and asked for help.
There, at the psychiatric emergency room in downtown Minneapolis, the staff gave her everything she expected – and more. They conducted a thorough psychiatric evaluation and provided appropriate medication. Then they lined her up with Mia Debbins, a community health worker.
Among the recovery resources Debbins offered Cole in the days ahead? A pathway to a job.
Dashawanda received support from Rise’s Employment Consultant Caitlin Engen. Read the full story online.