Online Technical Assistance to Enhance Employment Outcomes for Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions in Public Behavioral Health Systems: What Works in a Virtual Setting?

Background Technical Assistance (TA) can be an effective implementation science tool to address barriers to incorporating evidence-based practices in behavioral health. The growth in virtual training and communication provides potential to expand access to TA. Given this potential, there is a need to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of remote TA. Objective The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate an Enhanced-Online TA Response (E-OTAR) model intended to build system capacity for enhancing employment outcomes for adults with serious mental health conditions. Method E-OTAR consisted of 40–80 hours of tailored virtual sessions over 12–24 months across 15 sites nationwide using web-based technologies. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used to assess facilitators, barriers, and outcomes. Results TA utility was rated highly in areas of shared information/resources, goal development and refinement, and amount of virtual contact. Sites reported enhanced capacity through increased knowledge and improvements in agency coordination, referrals, and expectations. Acceptability of the virtual nature of the TA and other model facilitators and barriers are presented. Conclusion The project developed an online TA model, offering a relatively low-cost method for assisting organizations to develop capacity for enhancing services. The E-OTAR model is a feasible option and works effectively when sites have an active local team, clear goals, and a continued system-wide commitment to employment outcomes. As virtual TA is likely to burgeon, there is a need to incorporate structured needs analysis and evaluation tools.