Using EPIS to Improve and Sustain Career Services Within Community Behavioral Health Settings

We describe the implementation of career services within a large behavioral healthcare organization using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) implementation science framework. We outline how our training and technical assistance followed the stages of EPIS. Three programs have completed the implementation and improved their competitive employment outcomes, ranging from 32% to 58% for Team One, 8% to 22% for Team Two, and 0% to 26% for Team Three. Educational outcomes also improved. While the project is ongoing, initial outcomes are promising and indicate that utilizing the EPIS model to support the adoption of career services has positively impacted staff capacity to provide employment and education support, as well as improving outcomes of individuals receiving services from these program staff.