Supported Employment Program

The highest need most often cited by homeless adults is help finding a job. During FY 2008, none of the 56 individuals who entered a Cabrini Partnership program had a job at entry. The most recent survey on homelessness by Wilder Research indicates nearly two-thirds of homeless adults who had a job were earning less than $10/hour. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment would require 88% of the median monthly income for homeless adults in the Twin Cities.

For homeless adults with mental illness (and often chemical dependency), there are significant barriers to finding employment—even more so in the current faltering economy. Poor work histories, inadequate education and job skills that don't match workforce needs combine with the uncertainty of mental health to challenge the successful pursuit of a job. Even the most basic needs, such as reliable transportation or appropriate work clothing, stand as barriers to finding and keeping a job. These barriers cannot be overcome in isolation. They must be addressed in tandem.

While our residents and tenants want to work, traditional employment assistance cannot serve mentally ill or dually diagnosed homeless adults well. However, there is evidence that such individuals can be more successful finding work when participating in a supported employment program.

Supported employment is an aggressive strategy to facilitate entry into work. Research (American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 2005) details the components for an effective supported employment approach. It is based on person-centered career planning and on-site support from peers and mentors.

This program:

• Assists people with making individual changes based on their commitment to life change
• Utilizes assessment and training
• Integrates employment services with supportive services and housing supports

Cabrini Partnership best serves its participants by bringing together community resources with our professional staff. We collaborate and draw expertise from other organizations in the community to teach “soft skills.” Soft skills training includes, for instance, budgeting, time management, problem solving, building relationships, dealing with conflict and communication skills. Equally important is gaining “hard skills” education, such as math, comprehension and grammar.
            
Objectives of the Cabrini Partnership Supported Employment Program are:

• Work with participants individually to fulfill their desire to work
• Draw on resources of community partners to link participants with education, job readiness and work referral resources
• Help participants achieve success in their search for competitive employment
• Provide continuous support once employed