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Abstract:
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In 2009, a rural county behavioral health department and community college implemented a supported education program to promote the success of its consumers. While anecdotal comments indicated the program was successful, it was unclear to what extent students were benefitting from supportive services, and of those services offered, which were most helpful. A secondary data analysis was conducted using 25 course evaluations integrating support service variables. Results showed that assistance with registration, tuition, and transportation were most essential to participant success. All students reported improved relationships with others and increased self understanding as a result of taking the course. Additionally, of students receiving support services, the most positive outcomes included: feeling more useful to others, being interested in new things, feeling hopeful, and having more confidence. The ability to generalize the data was limited due to the small sample size (N=25); however, this is typical of rural service areas. The success of the program, even with the small number of participants, indicates the positive potential for supported education as in intervention in psychiatric rehabilitation. |
