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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Promoting Mental Health Recovery Through Evidence-Based Supported Employment Judith A. Cook, Ph.D. Professor & Director University of Illinois at Chicago National Research & Training Center Independent Living Research Utilization Webcast October 29, 2008

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center What Do People Want from Employment that Promotes Recovery? Employment careers, not just a series of sequential jobs Work with dignity that they can feel proud of Help returning to work in ways that do not endanger their benefits & entitlements Routes to economic security

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Employment Intervention Demonstration Program (EIDP) Funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center How did the study work? Unemployed people with psychiatric disabilities were recruited in 7 states Randomly assigned to a supported employment program or control group. Completed in-person interviews every 6 months for 2 years, their employment was tracked weekly, & their services were monitored on a monthly basis

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Experimental Interventions integrated clinical & vocational services multidisciplinary provider teams (mental health, vocational rehabilitation, substance abuse tx, peer support, benefits counseling) rapid job search & placement activities desired outcome of competitive employment jobs meeting preferences of participants ongoing supports available with no time limits

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Subject Characteristics N=1273 Half male/female 18-76 years; average=38 years 48% Caucasian, 31% AA, 14% Latino 90% schizophrenia, mood disorders 64% concurrent substance abuse diagnoses Avg. 6 hospitalizations 96% taking psychiatric medications 60% additional disabilities/health conditions 47% no employment 2 years prior to study

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center EIDP Key Findings: Achieving Employment Outcomes

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Economic Productivity of All EIDP Participants Over a 24-month period... 2230 jobs were held by clients, an average of 2.2 jobs per worker $4.7 million was earned by clients, an average of $5,786 per worker 820,293 hours were worked by EIDP clients

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Job Features Almost all jobs (86%) were minimum wage or above Jobs paid an average of only $5.91 per hour Most jobs were worked an average of 19.4 hours per week Only 17% of all jobs were full time (35+ hours per week)

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Important questions Since participants worked at low- paying jobs & most worked part- time, did these jobs make a difference in their personal economies? In other words, were they significantly better off financially if they worked?

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center One Way to Measure This: Ratio of Income to Expenses Ratio The persons income for a month divided by his/her expenses for that month Break-Even Point = 100% if = 100% - income equaled expenses if < 100% - expenses exceeded income if > 100% - income exceeded expenses Funded by the Social Security Administration

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Judith A. Cook, PhD UIC National Research & Training Center Ratios of Income to Expenses for Employed vs. Unemployed (break-even = 100%) EMPLOYED=120% NOT EMPLOYED= 80% *significant difference at p