The WORKbook Approaches

Clubhouses are programs that offer consumers a wide range of supports and services, including assistance with employment, housing, educational and social needs. A Clubhouse operates on the philosophy of offering its members a place to come and belong, an opportunity to develop relationships, and an opportunity to participate in meaningful work. All Clubhouses meet a required set of standards, similar to a consumers’ bill of rights, to be certified by the ICCD (International Center for Clubhouse Development).

Clubhouses share the belief that work is an essential part of the recovery process. Consumers and staff work side-by-side, undertaking the various jobs required in operating a club. Most Clubhouses provide the opportunity for members to pitch in and run a clerical unit, an employment unit, a food service unit, and other specialty units. Gaining experience in these volunteer settings helps consumers prepare for other jobs.

Transitional employment (TE), often called the cornerstone of the Clubhouse, provides members with part-time positions (typically 15-20 hours a week) that are temporary, and last from 6-9 months. These jobs are located in the community. They pay minimum wage or better and TE workers are paid directly by the employer. Transitional employment helps members gain work experience and build a work history by trying out different positions. Staff and members provide support and help the worker learn the ins and outs of the job. TE is designed to be a stepping-stone, to help members achieve their employment and educational goals. In addition to transitional employment, Clubhouses assist their members in getting their own jobs, providing various levels of support and involvement, determined by the needs and desires of the member.

These job opportunities are especially designed for the individual looking to secure a job without extensive pre-job training. Individual employment with supports comes in numerous forms, but they all offer some professional support at each stage of the process, from securing work, to retaining a job, and helping a consumer adjust to the demands of the workplace.

In the mental health system these jobs are referred to as Assisted Competitive Employment (ACE), supported employment, transitional employment, competitive jobs, or even internships and volunteer jobs. What they all have in common is the availability of an employment professional to work closely with a consumer, help the person identify their strengths and interests, and help them move into a position of choice.

The majority of programs in this directory help consumers obtain supported employment positions. These positions are competitive jobs that are developed for each consumer individually, based on a person’s abilities and career goals. Consumers are hired as ‘regular’ employees in ‘real jobs’. Individually tailored supports that are flexible and ongoing help consumers keep their jobs. In some programs, positions are time-limited, and secured as slots for an agency. These transitional or intermediate employment opportunities are part-time, last up to nine months, and give consumers a chance to acquire work experience.

Prevocational programs focus mainly on preparing individuals for entering the workforce. Many consumers have missed out on the opportunity to explore their work or career options, identify what it is they would like to do, and acquire the skills needed to get a job. Prevocational activities can help consumers identify their interests and skills, learn about work alternatives, and develop a plan or strategy for selecting and obtaining work. These activities often include learning about different jobs, and learning job seeking skills, such as how to contact an employer, how to write resume, how to ‘dress for success’, and how to participate in a job interview. Because these programs are about preparing consumers for work, they are usually time-limited and don't often assist people with actually obtaining a job like other approaches described in this section.

Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Treatment (IPRT) Programs are programs designed especially to help consumers think about and select goals related to employment, housing, education and their social networks. IPRTs are helpful to consumers who do not have a lot of work experience, and need help determining a career path. Some IPRT programs do help consumers with finding and keeping a job.

Other prevocational programs help consumers learn the skills needed for a specific occupation. For example, some programs in New York City train consumers in many fields, including: janitorial, health care, foodservice, computer work, landscaping, and recycling. For consumers who know exactly what they want to do, and are interested in gaining work experience in these occupations, these job-specific programs can be very helpful.

A psychosocial club offers its members a community environment where they can socialize, learn about resources, participate in support groups and pursue vocational and educational goals. An important feature of the psychosocial club is the support its members provide one another. The services provided by a psychosocial club vary greatly from program to program. Some operate like a drop-in center, some offer evening or weekend events, and others are more structured, providing members the opportunity to work on specific goals.

The psychosocial clubs listed in this directory offer consumers help in practicing work-related skills and getting jobs. This assistance often comes in the form of transitional employment. Transitional employment (TE) jobs are part-time positions developed by the club that are located in the community and pay minimum wage or better. These positions are time-limited; members get their feet wet by working in a position for six to nine months. A placement manager or job coach is available to provide help and training both on and off the job. Members can use the clubs to meet with other members and talk about their work experiences.

Sheltered workshops are highly structured and supervised employment settings where consumers are often found working around the same table completing unskilled jobs for an outside company. Usually, the jobs consist of very simple and repetitive tasks such as sorting, packaging and counting. These workshops pay a sheltered wage, meaning the social service agency is permitted to pay below minimum wage and calculate the consumers earnings based on the amount of work completed in a given time period.

Sheltered workshops help some consumers acquire work habits such as getting to a job on time, taking direction, and completing tasks. As the demands of the sheltered workshop are unlike a true workplace, consumers interested in pursuing an individual career and working in an integrated position should review the other approaches described in this directory.

These job opportunities are developed to give people a chance to work at a place where other consumers are working. In these jobs, consumers benefit from the support and understanding of other consumers, as well as the professional support of the mental health agency staff person or job coach. The programs in this listing may be appealing to individuals who may not feel independent enough to work alone, may not feel confident enough to work at a competitive job, or may simply feel more comfortable working among their peers. In the mental health system, agencies refer to these job opportunities as “enclaves”, “work crews” or “affirmative businesses”.

Enclaves are work settings located in large places of business, where groups of consumers, usually three to eight, work together doing related jobs. Enclaves are a good option for people who need help in completing a job and enjoy working with others. Enclaves have been located in large bookstores, retail stores, and newspaper companies. In these places, consumers work together doing jobs such as stocking shelves, organizing inventory, and collating documents. Work crews describe businesses that are mobile, where consumers work together as part of a team. These contract services include cleaning and recycling businesses, and landscaping ventures. Affirmative businesses are sometimes called agency-sponsored businesses. Small businesses sell goods or services, and give consumers the opportunity to interact with the public. Examples of businesses on our list include Ben & Jerry's, an ice cream shop, and Special Tees, a silk screening outlet that makes T-shirts and other items.