Breakthrough House Clubhouse Transitional Employment Program

The Breakthrough House Transitional Employment Program provides employment opportunities for persons with mental illness through the BTH Clubhouse

Why Transitional Employment?

Getting a meaningful job can be an important step on the road to recovery for a person with mental illness.  By providing a sense of belonging and identity, a good job can help restore or increase self-esteem and give life meaning and purpose beyond oneself.  But for many persons with mental illness, employment also can present a variety of challenges.  Some individuals may be especially sensitive to change and stress, and entering a work situation could bring on or exaggerate the symptoms of their illness.  Others, because of their illness, may experience difficulties with memory or concentration to a degree that could interfere with work.  Just the prospect of searching for a job—putting oneself on the line with a potential employer, with the always-present possibility of rejection or failure—can be frightening.

About the Program

It is to help BTH Clubhouse members cope with these challenges that Breakthrough House offers them transitional employment opportunities Typically, the first step toward transitional employment is Job Club—a program in which the BTH Clubhouse job specialist meets weekly with members interested in employment to explore their interests and help them increase their job-readiness.  Through their participation in Job Club, members learn about appropriate work appearance and behaviors, employer expectations, and how to resolve workplace conflicts, and they have the opportunity to improve their interviewing skills through practice.  Members also learn about the different transitional work sites available and can determine which might be the best match for their interests and skills. 

Once a member has been placed in employment, the BTH Clubhouse job specialist provides on-site job coaching and training, and if needed, will provide work coverage during the member’s absence.  As a member’s needs, skills, and desires change, the job specialist can help them revise their job goals and employment plans.  The job specialist will also coordinate BTH Clubhouse employment efforts with other employment services, including supported employment and independent employment, and will provide employers advice on reasonable accommodations.

Who Can Receive Transitional Employment Services?

Any active BTH Clubhouse member in good standing who is interested in employment is eligible to receive transitional employment services.

Services Offered

Depending on individual interests, abilities, and needs, participants in the BTH Clubhouse transitional employment program may be provided with counseling, assessment, limited training in job application and interviewing skills, placement, job coaching, and other related services.

Contact Information

TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
BTH CLUBHOUSE
1201 SW VAN BUREN
TOPEKA, KS 66603

Phone: 785-232-6960
Fax: 785-232-0751