Affiliations: The University of Michigan, School of Social Work, 1065 Frieze Bldg., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1285, USA | Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, E. Lansing, MI 48823, USA | Wayne State University, School of Social Work, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author.
Abstract: To contribute to the techniques available to psychiatric rehabilitation, an implementation analysis was conducted of WINS—a research demonstration project exemplifying the hybrid case management/supported employment model. An implementation evaluation framework was used to assess the internal and external environments of the program, based on data collected from WINS' management information system and from two focus group sessions with project staff. Operationally, WINS appeared to meet expectations in terms of the quantity of services, heterogeneity of service recipients, and the numbers who obtained jobs. Examination of information on the external environment of the program revealed difficulties in impacting vocational rehabilitation services for persons with severe mental illness, as well as in the community systems which needed to be in place for a project like WINS to be fully effective. Information on who received services and what services were provided raised challenging questions about whether or not zero exclusion in vocational programming is a feasible or even desirable goal, about the usefulness of the choose-get-keep linear model, and about staff difficulties in balancing the emphasis between client responsibilities and provision of appropriate supports.
