title: Evaluation of a combined supported computer education and employment training program for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
abstract: Meaningful work is described as one of the functional indicators of healing and growth beyond the disability and is seen as critical in recovering a personal sense of worth and value. We describe a supported education-supported employment program which focused on teaching computer, recovery and work skills. A program evaluation was implemented on four consecutive classes of this program. Four classes with a convenience sample of sixty-one students were involved in the evaluation over years. The program utilized a one group pretest, posttest design, with repeated measures over time. Following the 10-month classroom training phase, students entered a 2-month internship to give them computer office work experience. Students were interviewed quarterly using standardized assessments involving work and other subjective outcomes. Results suggest that overall the students experienced a positive change in work status and income and a decrease in mental health services utilization. In addition, non-vocational outcomes, specifically self-esteem and empowerment improved. The program represents a successful integration of supported education and supported employment program models.
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University. MA 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Dori
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massaro
authors.forename: E Sally
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003200:Computer User Training; D016832:Employment, Supported; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011209:Power, Psychological; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012649:Self Concept