RRTC on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness - The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, with its network of collaborators, will conduct a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The goal of the RRTC is to conduct a coordinated program of research and knowledge translation that build on the evidence-based supported employment, with the goal of improving employment outcomes for individuals with SMI. Research objectives propose to: 1) conduct an exploratory study of Best and Promising Practices in the use of peer support in IPS; 2) develop and test the incremental effectiveness of an AI technology to act as a Work Coach to augment IPS; 3) to improve the educational and employment outcomes of individuals in first episode psychosis programs through a trial of cognitive self-management strategies; 4) to examine the effects of governmental policies on employment outcomes. We will conduct training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities and increase utilization of research findings through: 1) implementation of a National Resource Center; 2) conducting a training program designed to strengthen employment through peer support; 3) implementation of a course for families supporting relatives with SMI, with attention to the role of employment; 4) preparing providers through pre-service and in-service training to support employment of individuals with SMI; and, 5) providing enhanced online technical assistance designed to help behavioral health systems promote employment in recovery planning. Anticipated outcomes include: increased awareness and adoption of promising augmentations to IPS; increased knowledge and skill to promote employment in current mental health services, products such as training and technical assistance programs, research briefs, interventions and curricula, publications and presentations.
