Amongst all individuals with disabilities, those with mental illness have the highest unemployment rate in the United States. Programs and policies exist to assist these individuals to obtain competitive employment. However, these individuals often have difficulty overcoming barriers to employment and often need specialized professional services. These barriers may be external, such as predisposed social stigma prejudices, cyclical economic factors, or other conditions outside of the individuals' control. Other barriers may also be inherent to individuals with mental illness, including but not limited to, low sense of personal esteem and confidence. Researchers have examined the likelihood of success of supported employment programs based on the six principle model. Other models of vocational and employment programs have been compared to supported employment. The results of these studies have been thoroughly evaluated. Of all, evidenced-based supported employment programs have produced the most positive outcomes. A key element of the success of these programs requires providers to work with elected officials and policymakers to identify strategies for long term funding.