Working with Job Coaches [2.2.2.I.d.iv]

Some individuals with intellectual or mental health conditions benefit from additional support in the workplace. A job coach specializes in assisting individuals with disabilities to learn to carry out job duties. Job coaches offer support to the employee and employer, such as disability awareness-building, job adaptations, social support, problem-solving, and development of natural supports. These are carried out with the goal of enabling the job coach to phase out of direct involvement.¹ Job coaching is one of the most frequently used accommodations by people with mental health-related disabilities.² 

Most state vocational rehabilitation agencies employ job coaches, have job coaching as part of their vocational rehabilitation counselors' roles, or can refer their clients to non-profit organizations that provide job coaching.

For more on job coaches, see EARNS’s Working with Job Coaches and Employment Support Professionals and JAN’s Accommodation and Compliance Series: Job Coaching in the Workplace.

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[1] Beyer S, Robinson C (2009) A Review of the Research Literature on Supported Employment: A Report for the cross-Government learning disability employment strategy team. London: Department of Health. http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_101431.pdf

[2] MacDonald-Wilson, K., Lin, C. H., & Farkas, M. (2011). Synthesis of the research literature on job accommodations for people with psychiatric disabilities 1990-2010 (Research Syntheses). Retrieved from Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation website: http://www.bu.edu/drrk/research-syntheses/psychiatric-disabilities/job-accommodations