Headline
Guidance on incorporating supported employment services for people with behavioral health needs during reentry from prison and jail.
Context
Individuals leaving prison or jail experience barriers that prevent them from gaining employment. These barriers can be compounded by behavioral health needs, including serious mental illness. Supported employment services can help individuals with behavioral health needs who are reentering communities following incarceration seek employment. These services can connect individuals with employment opportunities, job coaching, networking opportunities, and resources for upskilling. This brief provides guidance on providing supported employment services for individuals with behavioral health needs during community reentry from jail or prison.
About this Tool
The brief includes guidance on several ways that reentry providers can incorporate supported employment services. These include: (1) building relationships with local supported employment agencies; (2) initiating conversations about employment with individuals prior to release from incarceration; (3) providing education and support on accessing social security disability benefits; and (4) including employment goals and progress as topics during regular check-ins throughout the reentry process.
Takeaways
This brief provides valuable guidance on incorporating supported employment into case plans for individuals during reentry into communities from jail or prison. Several states also provide Medicaid reimbursement for supported employment services — including through home- and community-based services, health-related social needs 1115 waivers, and other mechanisms — offering further opportunity to facilitate access to supported employment for Medicaid-eligible individuals during reentry.