| Employment is one of the primary modalities of
rehabilitation used in the clubhouse model. Employment occurs on several levels within the
clubhouse model: Work Ordered Day (WOD), Transitional Employment Placements (TEP), and
Supported/ Independent Employment (SE or IE). The following is a description of each of
these categories:
The WOD occurs within the clubhouse and entails the work generated by the clubhouse in the
operation and enhancement of the clubhouse community. The clubhouse WOD is scheduled
according to the work hours of a typical business. The WOD engages clubhouse members and
staff together, working side-by-side, in the running of the clubhouse.
The clubhouse is organized into one or more work units, each of which has sufficient
staff, members, and meaningful work to sustain a full and engaging WOD. Typically, the WOD
begins with unit meetings which are held to foster relationships, as well as to organize
and plan the work of the day. All work in the clubhouse is designed to help members regain
self worth, purpose and confidence. Members have the opportunity to participate in all the
work of the clubhouse, including administration, research, intake and orientation, reach
out, hiring, training and evaluation of staff, public relations, advocacy and evaluation
of clubhouse effectiveness. The work of the clubhouse is rehabilitative, in that the focus
is on the individual member’s strengths, talents and abilities.
The clubhouse enables its members to return to paid work in the community at large
through Transitional Employment Placements and/or Supported/ Independent Employment.
TEP are job placements held by the clubhouse, in community businesses or industry. As a
right of clubhouse membership, members are provided opportunities to work in TEP. To
participate in TEP, a member simply needs to demonstrate a desire to work. Further,
placement opportunities continue to be available to a member regardless of past successes
or failures. Additional criteria of TEP are as follows:
- Members work at the employer’s place of business.
- Members are paid at the prevailing wage rate (at least minimum age), and are paid
directly by the employer.
- TEP are drawn from a wide variety of job opportunities.
- TEP are part time and time limited, generally 15 – 20 hours per week and six to
nine months in duration.
- Selection and training of members for TEP is the responsibility of the clubhouse, not
the employer.
- Clubhouse members and staff prepare reports on TEP for all appropriate agencies dealing
with the members’ benefits.
- TEP are managed by clubhouse staff and members, and not by TE specialists.
- There are no TEP within the clubhouse. TEP at an auspice agency must be off site from
the clubhouse, and meet all the above criteria.
SE/ IE positions are positions held by members, as opposed to the clubhouse (as in TEP).
The clubhouse assists and supports members to secure, sustain and subsequently, to better
their employment. Members who are working independently continue to have available all
clubhouse supports and opportunities including advocacy for entitlements, and assistance
with housing, clinical, legal, financial, and personal issues, as well as participation in
evening and weekend programs. Support is provided to the member, at the member’s
discretion.
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