Success Stems From Six Principles
According to the model established by researchers at the Dartmouth-New Hampshire Psychiatric Research Center, evidence-based supported employment for people with mental illness must adhere to six basic principles to be successful:
| •. | Individual preferences and goals are given high priority. Choices and decisions about types of employment and support are individualized and based on the person’s preferences, strengths, and experience. | ||||
| •. | No one is excluded from a supported employment program because of a history of hospitalization or substance abuse, active psychiatric symptoms, or lack of prior work experience. | ||||
| •. | Supported employment services are integrated with other mental health services. Employment specialists work closely with the mental health treatment team to support the client’s work goals. | ||||
| •. | The goal is to assist people in obtaining meaningful jobs in the community that pay at least minimum wage. | ||||
| •. | Supported employment services begin shortly after a person has expressed an interest in participating. Individuals need not submit to a lengthy pre-employment assessment or vocational testing. | ||||
| •. | Supported employment services are provided on a continuous basis, at all steps of the employment process, to help people keep their jobs or move on to other jobs if they choose. These supports are in place for as long as they are needed. | ||||
