A BENEFIT-COST-ANALYSIS OF A SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT MODEL FOR PERSONS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

After a review of the relevant literature, a methodology for conducting a benefit-cost analysis of an innovative supported employment intervention was developed. Several hypotheses were formulated and tested. The results indicated that, though the program did not quite achieve, it did approach cost efficiency with a ratio of almost .90 of benefits to costs. Program participants experienced significant monetary and nonmonetary benefits including a reduction in the use of several mental health services, increased wages and time in integrated employment settings. Reasons for not achieving cast benefit included the small number of subjects, system costs incurred due to increased advocacy efforts by staff inability to quantify the intangible benefits that accrued to subjects, and the limited time frame of program operation. This analysis needs to be replicated with larger programs over a longer period of time before any definitive conclusions about the benefits of the supported employment model can be determined. The methodology presented has value for program evaluators, policymakers, and planners of supported employment services for persons with psychiatric disabilities.