Live & Learn, Inc., a peer-run research organization in the United States, conducted a Phase I SBIR project to understand the program evaluation needs of CBOs, and technical specifications for Elevate, Evaluate. This report details the findings from a survey and interviews with CBO representatives from across the US. We asked 44 CBOs across 21 states about their current experiences, competencies, and needs around program evaluation, as well as their interest in using a product such as Elevate, Evaluate.
Read MoreReclaiming Employment offers self-employment support for people with mental health challenges around work. It was designed by people who have been there: our team members have personal experiences with mental health systems and business ownership.
This report includes data from 68 users who participated in a six-month pilot study of Reclaiming Employment. The trial was designed to gather user feedback and measure outcomes of people who desired to become self-employed or grow an existing business.
Read MoreThis study uses survey data from certified peer specialists (CPS) who were currently employed in any type of job, providing peer support services or not. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS), along with other measures of personal and job characteristics, relationships of predictors variables to burnout measures were described in unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models. Scores on each of the averaged burnout measures differed significantly between those employed in peer services jobs and those in other job types, with those in peer services jobs reporting lower exhaustion, cynicism, and higher professional efficacy.
Read MoreThis study of over 680 certified peer specialists (CPS) in four states found that those who are unemployed are more likely to be receiving Social Security disability benefits, be veterans, use outpatient counseling or therapy, and not disclose their mental health status in the workplace. In this study, the benefits of peer support jobs, compared to non-peer support jobs, include longer job tenure, availability of employee benefits, and higher job satisfaction.
Read More
The Self Employment Starts with You (SESY) study used qualitative and survey data to examine self-employment as a strategy to improve career options for individuals with a psychiatric disability. The goal was to understand the experience of current business owners, and provide useful information to aspiring business owners.
Read More
The Self Employment Starts with You (SESY) study used qualitative and survey data to examine self-employment as a strategy to improve career options for individuals with a psychiatric disability. The goal was to understand the experience of current business owners, and provide useful information to aspiring business owners.
Read More
The Self Employment Starts with You (SESY) study used qualitative and survey data to examine self-employment as a strategy to improve career options for individuals with a psychiatric disability. The goal was to understand the experience of current business owners, and provide useful information to aspiring business owners.
Read More
At JAN, we frequently receive inquiries from individuals with mental health conditions who are interested in becoming self-employed or starting a small business. Over the years, I’ve followed emerging research by Dr. Laysha Ostrow and colleagues exploring why self-employment can be a viable and important employment alternative for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. For this article, I discussed with Dr. Ostrow the approach she brings to this topic and an exciting new program at Live and Learn, Inc. that places peer support as a key component to self-employment success. She brings a unique perspective to this topic both personally and professionally.
Read More
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, convened the hearing as one of several framed around the pending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
Read More