Sharon Cook – MC, LVRC, CRC

Sharon is a Program Administrator for Supported Employment with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (DHHS, OSUMH). As an Administrator for Supported Employment, Sharon oversees programs that assist individuals who have mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders obtain and maintain employment. She is the evidence-based Individual Placement and Support (IPS)/Supported Employment state-wide trainer and lead IPS Fidelity Reviewer. In addition, Sharon conducts mental health, substance use disorder, and suicide prevention training for employers, stakeholders, state agencies and community partners. Prior to her administering at OSUMH, Sharon was a Business Relations Specialist for Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. As a Business Relations Specialist, she provided statewide disability-related training to businesses and assisted with their hiring and retaining of people with disabilities. Sharon received a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies from Weber State University and a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from University of Phoenix. She is a Licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Sharon is a Certified Crisis Counselor. She is a member of the Disability:IN Steering Committee, Governor’s Committee on Employment for People with Disabilities, National Rehabilitation Association, Utah Rehabilitation Association, Utah Job Placement and Development, Utah’s Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program, US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy Vision Quest (Utah’s co-lead), Utah Department of Corrections Employment and Education subcommittee, Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators, Association of People Supporting Employment First, Co-Chair of Transformation Transfer Initiative Forensic Peer Support, Vocational Rehabilitation Supported Employment Focus Group, Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development Committee, Brain Injury Alliance of Utah’s Council Employment and Education subcommittee, Utah Transition Action Team, Suicide Prevention in the Workplace Workgroup, Employment Partnership, Chair of OSUMH’s Supported Employment Coordinating Committee, a Train-the-Trainer for Working Minds Suicide Prevention in the Workplace as well as a Certified Train-the-Trainer for Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Center. Sharon is passionate about assisting people with mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders find competitive and integrated employment!