TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT FOR THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL

This article discusses the use of transitional employment in the vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation of the chronically mentally ill. The development and implementation of a transitional employment program at Towne House Creative Living Center, Oakland, California, is described. The value of adapting the work environment and use of support groups in aiding psychosocial and vocational adjustment are discussed. It is concluded that transitional employment is an effective treatment modality that can be utilized by occupational therapists involved in community based treatment of the mentally ill.