Supported Employment: Training Frontline Staff - SAMHSA Store ...

Principle 3: Competitive employment is
the goal
SE helps consumers obtain competitive jobs.
Competitive jobs have these characteristics:
• They are part-time or full-time jobs that exist in
the open labor market;
• They pay at least a minimum wage; and
• They are jobs that anyone could have regardless
of disability status.
Competitive jobs are not jobs that are set aside for
people with disabilities. The wage should not be
less than the wage (and level of benefits) paid for
the same work performed by people who do not
have a mental illness.
Competitive work is valued for several reasons:
• Consumers express a strong preference
for competitive work over sheltered work.
Consumers want to work in community settings.
• Competitive work promotes integrating
consumers into the community. Involving
consumers in normal activities reduces the stigma
of mental illness.
• Consumers’ self-esteem often improves. As
consumers see that they are able to work
competitively, that their work is valued, and that
they can contribute to society, some experience
improvements in symptoms and self-esteem.
Historically, many vocational programs have placed
consumers into noncompetitive jobs, often paying
subminimum wages, with only rare progression into
competitive employment. Experience shows that
consumers can successfully work at competitive
jobs without previously participating in training
programs or sheltered jobs.
Principle 4: Personalized benefits counseling
is important
Fear of losing benefits (e.g., Social Security and
health insurance) is a major reason that consumers
may not seek employment. For this reason, it is
vital that consumers who are interested in working
obtain accurate information to guide decisions
about work.
As an employment specialist, you should be able to
communicate basic information about the impact
of work on consumers’ benefits. You are also
responsible for ensuring that consumers access
benefits counseling when they start SE services
and when changes occur in their work status. For
more information about benefits counseling, see
Module 2.
Principle 5: Job searches start soon after
consumers express interest in working
Rapid job search is crucial for several reasons:
• Beginning the search early demonstrates to
consumers that you take their desire to work
seriously and conveys optimism that multiple
opportunities are available in the community to
help them achieve their vocational goals.
• Looking for jobs soon after consumers have
been referred to an SE program may also be
important for consumers who want to work
but who question their own ability. Fears and
misconceptions about work can often be best
confronted by helping consumers actually explore
possible jobs.
• Seeking work immediately takes advantage of
consumers’ current motivation. Studies show that
fewer consumers get jobs when the job search
is delayed by prevocational preparations and
requirements.
Module 1 6 Basic Elements and Practice Principles