Unemployment is common in persons with severe mental illness (SMI) and more in Latino population. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) of Connecticut offers a supported employment (SE) Program to help clients get competitive work in integrated settings with nondisabled workers in the community.

Capture perspectives of key informant groups to describe barriers for linking Latinos with SMI to employment and adapt SE Services for subpopulations.

Four focus groups were conducted (employment specialists, case managers and peer support counselors/employers/two with clients-one in Spanish and other in English). They were conducted during January-February 2015, 70–90 minutes each one. A question guide was developed for each group. Participants per focus group ranged from 3–10, voluntarily. Two new questionnaires to the baseline pack were developed: challenges to Employment Assessment–provider and client version.

Thirty individuals participated. Several barriers to employment were reported. Clients and staff reported criminal record, lack of employment history and lack of motivation. Staff described client hygiene, mental status, physical health, substance abuse and discrimination. Clients, staff and employers reported language barrier for Latinos who don’t speak English. Non-adherence to medication was reported by clients and employers. About Spanish-Speaking Latinos with mental illness, medication, discrimination, previous abuse by employers, inappropriate employment, difficulties of the job interview and computer skills appeared as challenges. English-Speaking Latinos with mental illness identified transport, stability, support, keeping apartment and financial needs.

Focus groups can help in knowledge about the diversity of Latino communities to improve SE Services and outcomes for Latinos.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.