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

Using minimal eligibility criteria
This section describes issues related to determining
who may benefit from SE, as illustrated by Caleb’s
story. After reading the vignette, think about what
you would do if you were Caleb’s employment
specialist.
As Caleb’s employment specialist, you could
educate his treatment team about how work may
motivate him to manage his substance abuse.
Suggest that a plan be developed with Caleb
focused on managing his work earnings. When
working with Caleb, consider jobs that are in
substance-free environments.
Caleb’s story
Caleb is a 28-year-old man with co-occurring disorders
of schizophrenia and substance use disorder. During a
weekly team meeting, Caleb’s case manager reported
that Caleb has expressed an interest in getting a job.
The case manager described his concern about Caleb
increasing his alcohol and marijuana use if he earns
money. The past two urine screens have indicated that
he continues to use substances.
Making the referral process simple
The following vignette illustrates the importance
of having a simple referral process and the steps
needed to engage consumers after a referral has
been made. After reading the vignette, consider
how you would address Sandra’s interest and
concerns about work.
Tackling the issues
Q: If you were Caleb’s employment
specialist, what would you do
While there is no single correct answer for handling
Caleb’s situation, here are a few ideas:
In SE, consumers who express interest in working
are referred directly to the SE program. They are
not screened for abstinence, work readiness, or
cognitive functioning, etc.
Employment specialists inform clinical treatment
team members of the SE referral process and
encourage them to make referrals. The criteria for
receiving SE services should be kept to a minimum.
Typical eligibility criteria are—
1) consumers who are unemployed (or working
noncompetitively) and want competitive work,
or
Sandra’s story
After 4 years of unemployment, Sandra approached
her case manager to discuss the possibility of
returning to the work world. At first, Sandra expressed
concerns about her ability to deal with what she
perceived to be the stress of working.
Tackling the issues
Q: If you were Sandra’s employment
specialist, what would you do
While there is no single correct answer for handling
Sandra’s situation, here are a few ideas.
The process for referring Sandra to SE services
should be as simple as possible, standardized, and
widely known by all. Sandra’s referral could be
made either orally or in writing, with the critical
information recorded on a simple form. (Your SE
2) consumers who are working but not receiving
the employment supports that they would like.
Module 2 2 Referral, Engagement, and Benefits Counseling