Supported Employment: Building Your Program - SAMHSA Store ...

Develop effective policiesand proceduresStarting a new SE program means developingpolicies and procedures that support the activitiesof the SE model.What policies and proceduresshould cover• Admission criteria• Discharge criteria• Staffing criteria• Program organization and communication• Assessment and treatment planning criteria• Consumer records requirements• Consumers’ rights• Program and team memberperformance evaluationDevelop admission criteriaWhen you develop your SE admission criteria,integrate the principles of the SE model. The SEmodel includes specific criteria that you shouldintegrate into your admissions and dischargecriteria. The SE model indicates that servicesshould be accessible to as many consumers aspossible. Consumers should not be excluded fromSE services because of substance abuse or cognitiveimpairments or because they are not “ready towork.” According to SE principles, all consumerswho want to work are eligible—no one is excluded.Develop a simple referral process using minimaleligibility criteria. Typically, SE leaders receive allreferrals, review them, and pair consumers withemployment specialists. This process should occurrapidly. In the SE model, employment specialistsand consumers meet within one week after thereferral. Engaging consumers in SE services quicklyhas been found to be a key component in providingeffective SE services.Once you have developed your referral process,integrate it into your intake procedures so thatconsumers who are new to your agency know thatSE services are available. SE staff and intakespecialists should review how to explain the SEprogram to consumers in a way that helps themmake informed decisions about accepting services.Generating referrals takes some planning andeffort at first. All of the activities designed tobuild support for your program (described inthis booklet) can also help you generate referrals.Acquaint a variety of stakeholders with yourreferral process including these individuals: All staff in your agency; SE advisory committee members; and Consumers in your agency.The key to generating referrals is to get the wordout. Elicit ideas from your SE advisory groupand staff for engaging consumers and increasingreferrals. On the next page is an example of anSE referral form that you may use as a basis forcreating your own.Tips for Agency Administrators and SE Leaders 24 Building Your Program