The accepted evidence based practice for vocational recovery in first episode psychosis is supported employment, specifically the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. (Please review for a summary about the intervention itself: http://www.centerforebp.case.edu/practices/se).
Findings from a recent systematic review showed that in early intervention programs, supported employment intervention moderately increases employment rates compared to treatment as usual (41% intervention group vs. 17% control group employed; Effect size: 0.54). (Bond, Drake, & Luciano, 2014).
One randomized control trial found that the intervention group of supported employment predicted vocational recovery above and beyond any demographic or clinical factors. The intervention group 16 times more likely than control group to have job at 6 month follow up. (Baksheev, et al., 2012).
These findings highlight the critical nature of including vocational services to early intervention programs.