Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series #38

Dr. Nancy Young and Sid Gardner, the principals of Children and Family Futures, were major contributors in the development of this document. This TIP introduces vocational issues and describes how vocational services can be incorporated into substance abuse treatment. Vocational counseling is a significant tool to be utilized in refocusing substance abusers toward employment, re-socialization and recovery. The TIP discusses challenges to employing clients in substance abuse treatment; the elements of vocational programming - assessment, prevocational services, training, and education; clinical concerns related to employment; on-site vocational services; effective collaborations and referrals; funding sources and strategies; policy and legal considerations; and special populations such as women and ex-offenders. The TIP is designed to provide substance abuse treatment providers and vocational rehabilitation and social services staff with vocational service skills and guidance in identifying clients who should be referred for professional vocational counseling.