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

In addition to engaging José, you may also find it
helpful to meet with José’s family. José’s parents
are concerned that the stress of working may
cause him to have a relapse. You could explain
how appropriate job selection and support could
minimize the stress to which José is exposed and
could even reduce his stress level by giving him
something meaningful to do with his time.
To reinforce that work is an important goal for
José, the meetings with José’s relatives may be most
effective if they take place in their home and if they
include José. Before speaking with his parents, ask
José to sign your agency’s Release of Information
Form.
Finally, inform team members of each step in
the engagement process, including the initial
meeting, contacts with family or other supporters,
and possible job interests. If you encounter
difficulties engaging José or addressing his parents’
concerns, elicit feedback and advice from other
team members. Teamwork ensures that everyone
is supportive of José’s goals and has input into
pursuing them.
In summary, establishing a relationship with
consumers creates a foundation for the rest of
your work. It is critical to connect with consumers,
family and other supporters, and treatment team
members to create an environment that supports
consumers’ work interests and goals.
Benefits counseling
Fear of losing benefits (for example, Social Security
income or health insurance) is a major reason
that consumers do not seek employment. For this
reason, it is important for all consumers to know
how work may affect their benefits.
All consumers who are interested in working should
receive benefits counseling to guide their plan
for starting work. Once consumers are working,
benefits counseling helps consumers manage their
benefits and health care coverage as they increase
hours and earnings. Some evidence shows that
consumers who received benefits counseling earn
more than consumers who did not.
You are responsible for ensuring that consumers
access benefits counseling when they start SE
services and when changes occur in their work
status. Typically, a benefits specialist who has
comprehensive information about benefits and
work incentives provides benefits counseling. If
your agency does not employ a benefits specialist,
ask your SE leader to find one in your area. For
more information, see Building Your Program in
this KIT.
As an employment specialist, you should be able
to communicate basic information about how work
affects consumers’ benefits. Expect to participate
in additional training to become familiar with the
following terms:
• Medicaid and 1619B Medicaid;
• Medicaid for the Working Disabled;
• Medicare;
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
• Social Security Disability Income (SSDI);
• Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS);
• Impairment-Related Work Expense;
• Substantial Gainful Employment (SGA);
• Ticket to Work;
• expedited reinstatement for benefits; and
• The Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) mandatory earned income
inclusion.
Module 2 6 Referral, Engagement, and Benefits Counseling