The Employment Alliance is a collaborative venture between two CARF accredited and Ohio Department of Mental Health certified mental health agencies (Bridgeway, Inc. and Spectrum of Supportive Services) that provides a comprehensive range of employment services to adults in Cuyahoga County who experience severe mental illness. The Employment Alliance began offering its services in a central, accessible location close to downtown Cleveland in February 1999.

All programming offered by the Employment Alliance is completely individualized. Our clients may pick from a menu of available vocational and employment services, thus tailoring a program to meet the specific needs of each individual. Thus, although estimated time frames are indicated for every service, the length of services is dependent upon the client’s needs as established by him/her and the Employment Alliance staff.

Through our combined 25 years of experience we have become experts in providing employment services to mental health consumers. We follow an evidence based supported employment model which encompasses individualized services that are tailored to meet the needs of the client. This model focuses on rapid engagement of the client and linkage to employment.

The Employment Alliance uses the Individualized Placement Model outlined by Becker and Drake’s work for Best Practices in Supported Employment The program includes the principles of IPS model that includes situational assessment, rapid placement in a competitive employment, and ongoing vocational support. In addition, the Employment Alliance provides benefit specialist services to accurately assess economic incentives and disincentives for participants, which was addressed by Cook and Razzano (2000). Consumers are assigned Employment Specialists who assist them in their individualized job search. Services are tailored to meet the needs of the consumer and are extended throughout the placement and retention process. The Employment Alliance relies upon the consumer to decide, based upon the consumer’s individual circumstances, how intensive, extensive and long term our support will be.