Library & Tools

This issue brief, developed by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, explores ways that agencies can involve AmeriCorps members at low or no cost to help implement SOAR.

This issue brief, developed by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, describes: the misconceptions about employment and loss of disability benefits; how earned income from employment affects SSI/SSDI benefits and Medicare/Medicaid coverage; the employment resources and work incentives offered by SSA to current SSI/SSDI beneficiaries; and the role SOAR programs can play in connecting individuals to employment resources.

SOAR extends beyond accessing SSI/SSDI and also encourages employment as a means to increase individual income and further promote recovery. This issue brief explores Individual Placement and Support (IPS), a model of supported employment that has been developed over the past 25 years specifically for people who have behavioral health needs.

The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center has created a toolkit to provide helpful suggestions and key considerations when hiring and supervising SOAR case workers.

This issue brief provides guidance on how community agencies and local colleges/universities can collaborate to develop partnerships that integrate SOAR within the social work learning process.

SOAR programs must consider how implicit biases may contribute to disparities in how SOAR services are accessed by and delivered to diverse groups. From hiring and supporting staff to identifying eligible SOAR applicants to writing a Medical Summary Report (MSR), there are many ways to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion in SSI/SSDI application assistance while creating work environments where SOAR providers can thrive.