Critical strategies for implementing supported employment

Issue title: International Perspectives on Implementing Supported Employment for People with Severe Mental Illness

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Becker, Deborah R. | Baker, Stephen R. | Carlson, Linda | Flint, Laura | Howell, Ruth | Lindsay, Shannon | Moore, Michael | Reeder, Steven | Drake, Robert E.

Affiliations: Dartmouth Medical School. Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. Lebanon, NH, USA | Department of Mental Health, 64 New York Ave. NE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC, 20002, USA | University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, Lawrence, KS, USA | Vermont Department of Health, Division of Mental Health, Burlington, VT, USA | CT Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hartford, CT, USA | South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, West Columbia, SC, USA | Oregon Department of Human Services, Addictions and Mental Health Division, Salem, OR, USA | Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Mental Hygiene Administration, Spring Grove Hospital Center, Catonsville, MD, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Deborah Becker, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, 2 Whipple Place, Suite 202, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA. E-mail: Deborah.r.becker@dartmouth.edu

Abstract: Objective: This paper provides a review of experiences by six states and the District of Columbia in disseminating an evidence-based practice, supported employment (SE). Each jurisdiction had unique strengths and barriers to overcome to effectively implement supported employment services for people with severe mental illness. Methods: Using a case study approach seven jurisdictions report special aspects surrounding the implementation of evidence-based supported employment. Results: Diverse strategies were used to augment implementation of supported employment services: a) Instituting state-level administrative procedures and reconfiguration of local staffing to enhance collaboration between mental health and vocational rehabilitation; b) Promoting SE services through the media, on-line training, and training by early adopters; c) Hiring benefits specialists; d) Teaching outcome-based supervision; and e) Building capacity for supported employment fidelity reviews. Conclusions: Dissemination of evidenced-based supported employment was enhanced when six states and the District of Columbia addressed special aspects. Supported employment implementation included different pathways to good employment outcomes.

Keywords: Mental illness, supported employment, evidence-based practice, implementation

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 13-20, 2007