Ensuring support systems that work: getting beyond the natural supports versus job coach controversy

Issue title: Systematic Instruction

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Inge, Katherine J.^; | Tilson, George P.

Affiliations: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Supported Employment, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1314 West Main Street, PO Box 842011, Richmond, VA 23284-2011, USA | TransCen, Inc. 451 Hungerford Dr., Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20850, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 804 8281851; Fax: + 1 804 8282193.

Abstract: This article is intended to challenge the field of supported employment to enter into a new dialogue in which professionals agree that all people, regardless of life circumstances, need support systems in order to be successful. Furthermore, support systems can look vastly different from one another. The authors suggest that little benefit comes from arguing over which is better, or more cost-efficient: natural supports or job coaching. An alternative approach would be to view all support strategies in a customer service and accommodation framework. The concept of customer service is discussed and suggestions for identifying person-to-person support strategies are provided.

Keywords: Natural supports, Supported employment, Job coaches, Job site training

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1997-9206

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 133-142, 1997