Supported Employment

ClearView Communities Supported Employment Program is built on the core value that all persons have the right and ability to obtain paid community-based employment. ClearView Communities has built the Supported Employment Program service continuum to include Career Assessment Services, Employee Development Services and Community Employment Services. These services are organized and delivered on an individualized basis driven by the desires and needs of the individual resident. The service continuum is not sequential nor are residents required to participate in specific services prior to participation in job development and placement.

Competitive employment is the goal:  Employment Specialists help the resident obtain competitive jobs. Competitive employment is defined: paying at least minimum wage and the wage that others receive performing the same work, based in community settings alongside others without disabilities, and not reserved for people with disabilities. Residents prefer competitive jobs over sheltered work. Working alongside others without psychiatric disabilities helps to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Supported Employment is integrated with treatment:  Supported Employment services are closely integrated with mental health treatment. Employment Specialists are members of multidisciplinary teams that meet regularly to review the resident progress. Discussions include clinical and rehabilitation information that is relevant to work, such as medication side effects, persistent symptoms, cognitive difficulties, or other rehabilitation needs. They share information and develop ideas to help residents improve their functional recovery.

Zero Exclusion: Eligibility is based on resident choice:  Every person with severe mental illness who wants to work is eligible for Supported Employment, regardless of psychiatric diagnosis, symptoms, work history, or other problems, including substance abuse and cognitive impairment. The core philosophy of Supported Employment is that all persons with a disability can work at competitive jobs in the community without prior training, and that no one should be excluded from this opportunity. Agencies develop a culture of work, so all practitioners encourage resident to consider working.

Attention to resident preferences:  Services are based on resident preferences and choices, rather than providers’ judgments. Resident preferences help determine the type of job that is sought, the nature of support provided by the Employment Specialist and team, and whether to disclose the aspects of a person’s psychiatric disability to the employer.

Benefits counseling is important:  Employment Specialists help resident to access ongoing guidance regarding Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements. Fear of losing benefits is a major reason that resident may not want to seek employment. It is vital that resident obtain accurate information to inform and guide the plan for starting work and over time for making decisions about changes in wages and work hours.

Rapid job search: Employment Specialists help a resident seek jobs directly, rather than providing extensive pre-employment assessment and training, or intermediate work experiences. Beginning the job search process early (i.e., within 30 days) demonstrates to resident that their desire to work is taken seriously and conveys optimism that there are multiple opportunities available in the community for resident to achieve their vocational goals.

Systematic job development:  Employment Specialists develop relationships with employers, based upon their resident work preferences, by meeting face-to face over multiple visits. They learn about the work environment and the employers’ work needs. They find out about jobs that they may not be aware of at employment sites. Employment Specialists gather information about the nature of job opportunities and assess whether they may be a good job fit, and they continue to make periodic visits because networking is how people find jobs.

Time-unlimited support:  Follow-along supports are individualized and continued for as long as the resident wants and needs the support. The Employment Specialist and other members of the treatment team provide work support. In addition, they look for natural supports (e.g., family member, co-worker) that would be available over time. The goal is to help the resident become as independent as possible in his or her vocational role, while providing support and assistance as needed. Once a person has worked steadily (e.g., one year), they discuss transitioning from the Supported Employment Program.