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For service providers
Behavioral Health Supported Employment Network
If you are an agency contracted with the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division you are required to provide supportive services to help clients with their recovery goals, including their employment goals.
Every agency is required to help clients with their employment goals by offering internal or external employment resources and referrals to those resources. While agencies are not required to offer “in house” employment programs that are directly provided by staff, agencies are required to:
- Add the client's interest in exploring employment to their treatment plan (also called recovery plan or individual service plan)
- Refer clients to external employment programs.
- Support clients in the process of achieving their employment goal by working with the employment program (with the client's written permission) to help address any treatment needs as they relate to their employment goals.
Contact us
For questions or support, contact:
Lisa Floyd, Project/Program Manager
Now Hiring Supported Employment Professionals!
These seven agencies often seek to hire staff who are passionate about helping individuals with behavioral health conditions to get back into the world of work and to thrive in their recovery.
Below are links to each agency and their current job postings. Search for words like “Vocational Specialist” or “Employment Provider” within each agency’s job postings to view current openings.
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Agency Name |
Employment Website |
Job Openings (Search for “Vocational Specialist,” Employment Specialist”) |
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Asian Counseling and Referral Services |
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Downtown Emergency Service Center |
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Harborview Mental Health and Addictions |
Mental health treatment | Mental Health and Addiction Services at Harborview (uwmedicine.org) |
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Hero House Northwest |
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Ikron |
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Sound |
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Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I do not have expertise in employment matters. Why should I include employment goals in behavioral health treatment planning? What is my role in employment services?
Three key areas of support will help make the difference to those interested in pursuing employment:
- Demonstrating your sense of hope and belief in the individual’s ability to work is one of the most critical components in assisting individuals to eventually become employed.
- Connecting individuals to internal or external employment resources such as the Medicaid Demonstration Project, the King County’s Behavioral Health Supported Employment Programs, the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and local WorkSource centers.
- Continuing to support individuals as they seek, gain and retain employment by routinely communicating with the employment service provider to help identify and address barriers, needs and supports that will help them in their employment journey.
What should I tell people who are concerned about how work may impact their financial and other benefits?
The most important message you can provide is: Ultimately you will make more money if you work than if you do not.
Even though a portion of financial benefits may decrease due to employment income, individuals will receive more income because they are working. It is important that individuals get support for their work choices (hours, wages, etc.) by a qualified benefits counselor before starting their job search and any time their financial status changes (recently hired, a raise, or promotion). It is also vitally important that individuals report any earnings from work to the Social Security Administration to prevent any overpayments and required “paybacks.” You can assist them to call Plan to Work at 1-866-49-9443 (plantowork.org) to get personalized benefits information. Anyone receiving supported employment services through these agencies should also be able to receive benefits counseling and support. Anyone receiving services through the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation is also eligible to receive personalized benefits counseling.