Lifeways

Supported Employment

Supported Employment is an evidenced-based practice that helps people with psychiatric and/or substance disorders find and maintain competitive jobs of their choice. Supported employment helps people find jobs in their communities with rapid job search, assistance with placement, integrated service support, personalized benefits planning and time un-limited support. Eligibility for this program is based upon client choice. No one is excluded because of prior work history, hospitalization history, substance use, symptoms, personal decisions about medications, personal appearance, missed appointments with Mental Health Practitioner or other factors. Every person is encouraged to think about employment and all interested people are referred to the SE Program at Lifeways.

Supported Employment Services

Supported Employment Specialists develop resources for consumer employment:

  • Nurture community partnerships and potential agency resources
  • Engage the community at large in the supported employment concept
  • Develop competitive job opportunities

 

Supported Employment Specialists assist consumers in obtaining employment:

  • Identify interested consumers and their skills/preferences for work
  • Identify skills and work preferences
  • Assist job seekers with applications and interview techniques
  • Facilitate special skills training

 

Supported Employment Specialists assist consumers in retaining job placements:

  • Intensive job-site training and coaching
  • Supplementary assessments
  • Teach compensatory workplace strategies
  • Communicate with employer, family members and advocacy organizations
  • Facilitate transition to natural workplace supports while reducing Specialist's role

 

Supported Employment Specialists work as part of a recovery oriented treatment team:

  • Consumer
  • Psychiatrist
  • Residential Specialist
  • Case Manager
  • Skills Trainers

 

The treatment team services that support employment may include:

  • Case management
  • Medication management
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Benefits assistance
  • Life skills training
  • Education
  • Advocacy
  • Dual diagnosis treatment
  • Family consultation
    Allen, a supported employment client, states:
    "I feel better about myself when I have a job. I have more money which allows me to be more independent. I am able to buy things that I need -- I can pay my way! I like being part of the community. I like my mental health friends but it is nice to get to know others in the community too."

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