Creating positive vocational outcomes for people with severe mental illness.

Abstract

This article is meant to serve as a practical guide to the various vocational alternatives currently in use in the psychiatric rehabilitation field. It presents both benefits and drawbacks to the service recipient, o f each o f the models described. A perspective is offered on some parallel developments in employment services for people with mental illness and those with developmental disabilities. Finally, consideration is given to using links with the public Vocational Rehabilitation system as part o f the array o f vocational options presented to clients o f rehabilitation service organizations.

Vocational services offered to people with severe mental illness

“…Although Marrone (1993) noted that certain Clubhouses did not include transitional employment in their services; a study by Macias, Jackson, Schroeder, and Wang (1999) found that 82% of Clubhouses (N ¼ 173) included transitional employment programs. In general, Clubhouses use participation in activities (work-ordered day) to develop the clients' motivation to enter transitional employment (Blankertz & Robinson, 1996;Macias, Kinney, & Rodican, 1995).…”

“…In certain settings, prevocational activities within sheltered workshops are mandatory before accessing transitional employment, whereas others promote accelerated placement in transitional settings (Bond & Dincin, 1986). According to Marrone (1993), there are some advantages to transitional employment, such as the fact that the contracts are time-limited and give employees the possibility of attaining significant work experience in various settings. The disadvantages are that the jobs offered are often unskilled and time-limited; regardless of their job performance and satisfaction, the worker will eventually need to vacate the position.…”

“…An important limitation of transitional work is that the job usually belongs to the vocational agency, even if it is located in a community setting. All employees in transitional employment are perceived as interchangeable, with work time limited to 6 -9 months (Marrone, 1993;Marrone, Balzel & Gold, 1995). In certain settings, prevocational activities within sheltered workshops are mandatory before accessing transitional employment, whereas others promote accelerated placement in transitional settings (Bond & Dincin, 1986).…”

“…Close links are created with employers, who typically agree to receive rotating groups of clients over an extended period of time (Waghorn & King, 1999). Most transitional employment can be taught quickly without the need for specific skills (Marrone, 1993;Marrone, Balzel, & Gold, 1995). The ultimate goal is for clients to attain a certain level of self-confidence and independence that will help them get competitive employment.…”

Creating Hope Through Employment for People Who are Homeless or in Transitional Housing

“…Rapid job entry, transitional work experience (time-limited, entry-level jobs for purposes of work experience rather than career development), intensive case management (relying on direct support and involvement rather than brokering services), and wraparound services (marshalling multiple systems to focus comprehensively on the individual's needs rather than assisting the person to access these services individually) have also proven effective (Becker et al, 2001;Drake et al, 2001;Marrone, 1993;MDRC, 2001;Phillips et al, 2001, Shaheen, Williams, & Dennis, 2003.…”