A-Visions: A Scripps supported employment program

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gold, Jerry

Affiliations: Scripps Mercy Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 4077 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103, USA Tel.: +1 619 260 7111; E-mail: Gold.Jerry@scrippshealth.org

Abstract: This expository paper describes an innovative Scripps designed supported employment program, using an evidence-based practice model based on recovery by Scripps Behavioral Health Services staff to fill a gap in the continuum of care for Behavioral Health Services. The A-Visions Program was also developed to increase offerings to mental health consumers (typically those with serious and persistent mental illness) struggling to find help in an under funded, fragmented mental health system of care. The program has grown since its inception and has received commendations from external stakeholders. This paper reviews the prevalence of mental illness in the United States, a review of the classic and recent evidence-based literature, a comprehensive description of the program (including analyses of outcome measures), a plan to spread this innovation across the Scripps enterprise, and conclusions. Due to the success of the program in providing essential services to individuals with serious mental illness, the authors recommend replication in other Scripps facilities. The author makes a strong case for the spread of this innovation, as these services typically are not a part of the mental health care continuum. These program development strategies are replicable in other mental health programs.

Keywords: Supported employment, performance measures, evidence-based, program evaluation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0494

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 47-59, 2010