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A multisite study of implementing supported employment in the Netherlands
Nicole H J van Erp1, Femke B M Giesen, Jaap van Weeghel
1Research Unit of Reintegration, Trimbos Institute, P.O. Box 725, Utrecht 3500 AS, the Netherlands. nerp@trimbos.nl
Objective:
This article reports on the implementation of the individual placement and support model of supported employment in four Dutch regions.
Methods:
The authors used structured site visits, employment data, and semistructured interviews to assess fidelity, employment outcomes, and facilitators of and barriers to successful implementation.
Results:
At 24 months, the four sites reached a mean+/-SD fidelity score of 4.1+/-.3 (possible scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating closer adherence to the model). Of the 316 persons with mental illnesses, 57 (18%) obtained competitive jobs. Barriers to implementation included lack of organizational standards, loss of vocational staff, funding problems, insufficient time for program leaders, and inadequate cooperation between the involved organizations. Important facilitators were the skills and commitment of the vocational team members and the integration of vocational and mental health staff.
Conclusions:
To implement evidence-based supported employment in the Netherlands will require changes in financing, organizational structures, attitudes, cultural beliefs, and labor and disability regulations.
