Multidisciplinary Teams

• Form a multidisciplinary team. Students with mental health disabilities may need assistance across center departments. The formation of a multidisciplinary team through the accommodation process provides this type of support. There is no set make-up of the team; it should be designed based on the needs of the student. Suggested members could be the CMHC, career counselor, vocational/ education instructors, center physician, or health and wellness manager. The multidisciplinary team would hold case conferences and be responsible for promoting integrated services for the student on and off center.

Community Resources and Support

• Contract with a local medical center for free psychiatric services; psychiatry residents rotate through the center to complete their last year of residency training. Job Corps is considered part of the community outreach program, which is mandatory for psychiatry residents. The center mental health consultant oversees this program and meets weekly with the physicians.
• Develop relationship with a local university and develop the Job Corps center as an internship or practicum location for psychology and counseling graduate students. The CMHC should be involved as the supervisor of the graduate students.
• Collaborate with a local state agency for people with severe mental disabilities. Students can receive free psychiatric services and medication and are assigned case managers who attend staff meetings on center.
• Collaborate with local vocational rehabilitation agency to provide input on assessment, placement, and referrals; to interview students regarding academic and vocational planning; and, to help set up an individual program for students while in Job Corps.

High-Risk Group Meeting

• Provide students at risk for behavior problems a special group to prevent incidents and facilitate adjustment to Job Corps. Students would begin this group during their first week and meet weekly. This group can also help with retention efforts.
• Develop an educational group. For example, a center has developed a three-visit educational group for students taking psychotropic medications. This group is lead by an intern and helps students gain a better understanding of their medication, its side effects, compliance, and maintenance.

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