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

While there is no single correct answer for handling
Patrick’s situation, here are several approaches you
might take:
Interventions aimed at the consumer
Changes in work schedule and work responsibilities
can be stressful. Employment specialists must
understand how consumers may respond differently
to these changes.
What is stressful for Patrick What would Patrick
find most helpful Patrick may ask for help in
figuring out what to say when his coworkers ask him
to go out for beer. He is glad for the friendships but
remembers that he has had problems from drinking
in the past.
Like Patrick, many consumers are motivated to
change because they want to work. Reviewing with
Patrick ways to say, “No,” to invitations to drink
gives him a response in these stressful situations.
Additionally, talk to Patrick about his increased
symptoms and trouble sleeping. Is there a
relationship between these difficulties and his
drinking coffee during breaks Finding alternatives
to drinking coffee may effectively manage his sleep
disturbances and voices.
Interventions aimed at the consumer’s
support network
Employment specialists should be in constant
communication with the consumers’ treatment
team about how they are functioning in their jobs.
In this example, you would communicate with
Patrick’s case manager who may give you more
information that is helpful for problem solving.
For example, the case manager would know that
Patrick’s last hospitalization began with a similar
period of drinking and sleeping problems.
Patrick’s case manager may also know that Patrick
actively participated in a dual-diagnosis group at the
center in the past and hasn’t been drinking over the
past year. When the case manager sees Patrick, he
can remind him of this achievement and ask him if
he would like to rejoin the group. Group members
are often glad to see one another and provide useful
suggestions.
Interventions aimed at the consumer’s
social and physical environment
Evaluating how a consumer functions in the
workplace can give you clues to what supports and
accommodations would be helpful. You and Patrick
might discuss what could be done differently at his
worksite.
Is he able to manage the pace and tension of
the evening shift Helping Patrick identify the
pros and cons of staying on the evening shift or
requesting a return to the day shift is a way to bring
clarity to the problem. At this point, if Patrick has
not disclosed his mental illness to his employer,
he may reconsider. Under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities who
are otherwise qualified for the job can request an
accommodation.
In summary, after a job gets under way, a consumer
will be confronted by different challenges. Work
may have an impact on many areas of consumers’
lives including the following:
• Their daily schedules;
• Relationships with friends and family;
• Financial benefits;
• Substance use; and
• Medication needs.
Work may also bring consumers into new, and
sometimes complex, social situations. Coping with
these may require your support and assistance.
Establishing and keeping contact with consumers
and, when appropriate, employers, will keep you
informed and available to both as the job continues.
Training Job Supports Frontline and Collaborations Staff 5 Module 4