Affiliations: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Scotch Plains, NJ, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Melissa M. Roberts, UMDNJ, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, USA. Tel.: +1 908 889 2544; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The current study examined the relationship between specific techniques for developing social support (i.e., Person Centered Planning) and job related outcomes among 110 individuals with psychiatric disabilities receiving Supported Employment (SE) services in a northeastern state. Seven SE programs participated. All individuals receiving SE services from any of the seven SE programs were eligible to enroll in the study. Participant data were collected on demographics, psychiatric history, work history, and social support over a period of two years. Data on the use of Person Center Planning practices were collected from SE staff every three months for the first 12 months of the study. This information was recorded in the Quality Indicators Survey, an instrument developed for this study. A positive relationship was found between total days employed and the number of non-paid supporters an individual reported having; a negative relationship existed between total days employed and number of paid supporters; and there was a positive correlation between total days employed and Person Centered Planning techniques used at nine and 12 months.
