—by Matthew K. Weiland and Paul M. Kubek
Canton, OH—It's always a pleasant surprise when a national discussion focuses on the work we do in the world of social services. It's all the more surprising when the conversation highlights one of our own at the Ohio Supported Employment Coordinating Center of Excellence (Ohio SE CCOE)-a program of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University. The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric recently aired a report on Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice, featuring our own SE Consultant and Trainer Nicole Clevenger.
Another Ohio Connection
Research conducted by the New Hampshire-Dartmouth PRC shows that 58 percent of people receiving evidence-based Supported Employment (SE) services are employed in competitive jobs in their local communities.
The report also features the story of Steve Cromer, who has returned to competitive and meaningful work at an auto dealership in Canton. Cromer, who is on a personal journey of recovery, has achieved his employment dreams through the help of evidence-based Supported Employment services provided by Coleman Professional Services in Canton. Coleman is one of 15 organizations implementing the SE model in the state.
Implementation of SE is being encouraged and supported in communities throughout the Buckeye State by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), which provides support for the consulting and training services of the Ohio SE CCOE. ODMH and the Ohio SE CCOE are also collaborating with the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC) to enhance partnerships between vocational-rehabilitation service organizations and mental-health agencies.
National Connection
The Ohio SE CCOE is a participant in a national evidence-based SE dissemination project sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson-Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program—a partnership between The New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center (PRC) and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation. The Johnson & Johnson-Dartmouth Program is in 10 states, including Ohio, and Washington D.C. The Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) provides support for dissemination in Ohio through the Ohio SE CCOE.
Research conducted by the PRC shows that 58 percent of people receiving evidence-based Supported Employment services are employed in competitive jobs in their local communities. In contrast, only 21 percent of people receiving traditional, non-evidence based vocational services find competitive jobs in the community.
National Advocacy
If you would like CBS to provide additional and/or more in-depth stories about Supported Employment, the evidence-based practice, let CBS know by visiting the story online and clicking the "feedback" link at the bottom of the page.
The CBS Report
Watch the CBS Evening News Supported-Employment feature.
Matthew K. Weiland, MA, is a technology-transfer product development specialist & producer and Paul M. Kubek, MA, is director of communications/technology-transfer product development at the Center for Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) at Case Western Reserve University. The Ohio SE CCOE is a program of the Center for EBPs.