Training job coaches to use natural support strategies

Article type: Research Article

Authors: McHugh, Shelley Anne | Storey, Keith | Certo, Nicholas J.

Affiliations: The Arc San Francisco, CA, USA | Chapman University, Concord, CA, USA | San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Keith Storey, Chapman University, 2600 Stanwell Drive, Suite 110, Concord, CA 94520, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Supported Employment provides assistance to people with disabilities in competitive jobs. The supported employment model has developed beyond the use of job coaches as primary trainers to include natural support strategies, that is, enlisting the commitment of personnel employed at the work site to train and assist employees with disabilities. This study used a multiple probe design to educate and evaluate job coaches use of natural supports strategies. Results indicate that this intervention lead to increased integration of workers with disabilities in the workplace.

Keywords: natural supports, job coach training, checklists

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 155-163, 2002