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Supported Employment at Lindner Center of HOPE
The Supported Employment Program at Lindner Center of HOPE assists individuals diagnosed with a mental illness in finding employment while at the same time providing area businesses with dependable, productive, and motivated employees. By working together, both the employer and employee can successfully meet their goals.
What is Supported Employment?
Supported employment is job selection, placement, and support services providing paid employment in a competitive work environment with ongoing job retention services from paid professionals. Job placement specialists locate jobs in the community that meet needs of an individual and the employer. Job retention specialists mentor and support the employee to cope with daily work pressures and job requirements.
Supported Employment Facts
- 75% of persons with mental illness want to work
- 2/3 of persons with serious mental illness live in poverty
- 15% of community mental health center clientele have some form of employment
- 40% of persons with mental illness don’t work because of fear of losing benefits, including healthcare; many more don’t work full-time because of the same fear
- With early intervention (eg., after first episode) it’s possible to achieve employment rates as high as 90%
The unique aspects of the Supported Employment program include:
- The focus on an individual’s wants
- Time spent on practicing interview skills
- Help in the job search
- The availability of a liaison that will help the individual communicate effectively with an employer
The level of support within each of these aspects is determined by the individual.The ultimate goal is to make people’s lives better. Supported Employment provides another step in reaching the satisfaction everyone seeks in life.
 Melissa McCarthy, Employment Specialist, leads the Supported Employment Program at Lindner Center of HOPE
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