An assessment of the training needs of rehabilitation and community mental health workers in a six-state region

This article summarizes the results of a survey of 395 mental health and vocational rehabilitation professionals in a six-state western region of the United States. The purpose of the survey was to assess the training needs of these personnel in order to develop needs-responsive training to be provided under the auspices of a recently funded federal grant. Respondents consistently identified significant levels of training and information needs. The areas of greatest need included those most directly associated with employment, including vocational assessment and job development strategies, motivational and job retention strategies, and the issue of understanding managed care and its impact upon the provision of employment related services. The majority of respondents reported having access to the Internet and expressed interest in receiving information via this medium. Overall, respondents expressed positive attitudes towards the employment of persons with mental illness. These findings are discussed in relation to their implications for the training and technical assistance needs of these professionals and the provision of employment support services to persons with serious mental illness.