Developing evidence-based supported employment services for young adults receiving public mental health services

Authors: Pryce, J., Munir, F., & Haslam, C.
Year Published 2009
Publication New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume 56
Number 1
Pages 34-39
Publisher Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists Inc.
Background

Successful implementations of evidence-based supported employment for people with psychiatric disabilities are well documented in the USA. While international reports are informative, the differences among developed countries in terms of labour markets, health, and welfare systems, means that Australian and New Zealand experiences can best guide the introduction of evidence-based practices in the Australian and New Zealand contexts.

Purpose

This report describes the application of an evidence-based practice fidelity measure to monitor the effectiveness of an expanding supported employment program for youth adults with first episode psychosis.

Setting

The setting was 4 demonstration sites where employment staff co-located within an early intervention psychosis team.

Sample

The study sample was made up of 134 individuals. Sixty four percent were diagnosed with first episode psychosis, and received services from a community based early intervention psychosis team.

Data Collection

The IPS Fidelity scale was applied to each site. Data was collected and scored consistent with the Fidelity Scale directions.

Control

Control conditions varied across the studies. Conditions included Group skills training, enhanced vocational rehabilitation, psychosocial rehabilitation, diversified placement, train-place, sheltered workshop, brokered vocational rehabilitation, and traditional vocational services.

Findings

Both low and high scoring fidelity items helped identify practical ways to further develop evidence-based practices at each site.

Conclusions

Fidelity strengths and weaknesses can be identified that have implications for other sites in terms of what employment consultants can most constructively do in context of the restraints of their immediate environment.

URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4417652/
Disabilities Emotional disturbance
Populations Male | Native Hawaiian / other Pacific Islander | White / Caucasian
Outcomes Employment acquisition
NIDILRR Funded No
Research Design Observational
Peer Reviewed Yes