1. Follow-Along Support Planning
How to individualize!

2. Introductions Please introduce yourself by: Name Title
Agency & location
Length of tenure in current position

3. Why is Follow-Along Planning Important?
Research has consistently shown that people receiving mental health services are much more likely to get and keep jobs when they have IPS services.
Careful planning can make a difference in increasing the likelihood of success.
As Employment Specialists, our job is not just to help people find jobs but also to help them keep jobs.
they do the same thing over and over again and achieve the same result.

4. Let’s start from the beginning…
Remember that career profile? 1. What are some of the reasons you completed it? 2. How do you think it can help you plan for follow-along supports that the person might need?
It took several hours to complete and you might have wondered why it was necessary to complete all of that paperwork instead of just looking for a job for someone.

5. Identify Strengths and Barriers
What is the person most concerned about with starting the new job?
What did the person like/dislike about past jobs?
Reasons for job losses or successes?
Can you get perspective of a past employer about what the person was good at or challenged by?
What do the treatment team or significant others say about the person’s known strengths and challenges?
Where might you find information about strengths and barriers to employment?

6. Individualized Needs?
Mental health recovery needs
Other wellness needs? Does the person need support with:
Asking for a medication routine change
PHYSICAL DISABILITY/ MEDICAL CONDITION NEEDS
Substance Abuse Recovery Needs
Learning needs
Grooming and hygiene
Getting Haircut
Bus schedules
Trainings/Certifications
Planning For Breakfast/Lunch
What are some examples of individualized needs that the person might have?
Making childcare arrangements
Getting up in the morning
Organizing themselves
Financial planning
Identifying appropriate work clothing
Relationship stressors

7. Job Description
Which areas might the person excel at & which areas might be more challenging?
What needs can you identify as a result?
Training/certification needs?
Job coaching needs?
Need to develop skills around organization?
Read over the job description with the person before they start the job.

8. Identify Supports To Provide
Ok, so we’ve identified the individualized needs that the job seeker has. Now we need to figure out what supports the person needs to overcome their unique barriers. This is where many people start their plans, but it needs to be the last stop in the process.

9. Where Are Supports Needed & Who Will Provide Them?
Good news!!!
You don’t have to be the one to provide every support the person needs!
So, then what are we doing here? We are identifying the most critical supports the person needs in order to maintain a job and then identifying how these supports are going to be provided; either how others or how we will provide those supports.

10. Example:
In order to keep his job, you identify that Joe will need support with:
Managing his anger in the workplace (because he has lost his last three jobs after blowing up at his supervisor and/or coworkers.)
Help getting up on time in the morning.
Substance abuse recovery (Joe has an unfortunate addiction to doggie treats.)

11. Joe Cool Anger Management Therapist Therapy Group
ES could develop plan with Joe that he can call when frustrated at work and ES will provide support (ES support can be guided by therapist.)
If ES is unavailable another ES could serve as back up.
Another Tx team member could also assist via phone or in person.
Getting Up For Work
ES or Tx Team Member call Joe and/or knock on Joe’s door, if needed
If difficulty getting up is due to med side effects, ES can discuss this with Tx team, including prescriber
ES or Tx team member could provide skills training around using an alarm clock or cell phone as an alarm clock.
Sub Abuse Recovery
Joe will ensure that he continues to attend 12 Step Recovery Groups
Joe will continue to meet with 12 Step Sponsor at regular intervals
Therapist and/or Therapy Group
ES or Tx Team member assist with planning around what to do with paycheck to reduce temptation on payday
Who might be the best person or people to provide support for each of the things Joe will need support with? The ES is responsible for coordinating with the treatment team and IPS team for the supports that Joe might need.

12. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone.
Teamwork!
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone.
Sponsor
Mom ES PO
Peer Spec
Brainstorm with your IPS Team, Joe’s treatment team, Joe’s family or significant others(with permission) to plan supports to meet Joe’s needs.
Sibling
Skills Trainer
IPS Sup
Girlfriend

13. Practice writing a follow-along support plan
Get together in your small groups and decide what supports Marge might need for her new job.