HHS awards three states with grants that support working individuals.

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson last week announced $5 million awards to Kansas, Louisiana and Minnesota to demonstrate whether additional services and supports to working individuals with serious mental illness will prolong their independence and employment.

"People who are able to work in spite of potentially debilitating disorders should be given the support they need to remain productive and independent for as long as they are able," said Thompson. "This grant embodies the goals of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative to help people maintain themselves outside of government programs and institutions."

This demonstration, created by the Ticket to Work …