RSM 2, Attachment 800-6: Evidence-Based Practice in Supported Employment

Evidence-Based Practice in Supported Employment (EBPSE), including ACT, is an approach to vocational rehabilitation for individuals with serious mental illness/psychiatric disabilities that emphasizes helping people obtain competitive work in the community by undertaking rapid job search and attainment, identifying a natural fit between the consumer’s strengths and experiences and the job and job environment, and identifying/providing necessary supports to ensure success. This approach integrates employment and treatment for the individual.

DORS staff, and representatives of the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (MHVPs) work collaboratively to assure that timely and effective employment services are provided to individuals served by EBPSE.

DORS supervisors and counselors working with an EBPSE site are expected to attend all joint trainings associated with EBPSE, as well as ensure attendance of the counselor and/or supervisor at all integrated team meetings for consumers.

1. Eight Core EBPSE Principles:

   According to COMAR (10.21.21), programs are designated as EBPSE when they achieve and maintain fidelity to the EBPSE principles and meet associated standards.

1. Competitive employment is the goal.

2. Eligibility for EBPSE is based on consumer choice. Consumers are considered work ready when they say they want to work.

3. Job search starts soon after a consumer expresses interest in working.

4. Supported employment is integrated with treatment. Employment specialists have frequent meetings with the treatment team to integrate supportedemployment with mental health treatment. (DORS staff participation is critical to success.)

5. Follow-along supports are continuous. Employment supports are never terminated unless the consumer directly requests it.

6. Consumer preferences are important. Consumer preference plays a key role in determining the type of job that is sought, the nature of supports provided, and the decision about disability disclosure.

7. Systematic Job Development: Employment specialists build on employer network based on clients’ interests, developing relationships with local employers by making systematic contacts.

8. Personalized benefits planning is provided. (DORS shall still include more intensive benefits planning services on the IPE to assist in employment retention and supports.)

2. Following are policy and procedures which apply only to individuals at EBPSE sites and those referred from ACT teams:

1. If the referral is from a currently approved EBPSE provider, be sure to indicate “BHA Evidence-Based Practice/Milestone Payment System” in Special Programs in AWARE™.

2. If the referral is from an ACT team, be sure to indicate "ACT Referral" in Special Programs in AWARE™.

3. Trial work shall not be used with EBPSE.

4. “Transitional employment” is not practiced for individuals in EBPSE.

5. Pre-employment services such as career assessment, work adjustment training and Employee Development Services shall not be used with EBPSE, including ACT.

6. Skills training may be provided if needed to achieve a specific career goal.​