The purpose of this study was to evaluate the translation of positive research findings about a job retention intervention for persons with chronic illnesses to rehabilitation practice. A program to provide the intervention was developed and marketed in the community. Fifty-seven consumers with chronic illnesses received the intervention provided by five rehabilitation counselors. Follow-up data were collected from consumers and counselors. Marketing data indicated that advertising the program through health voluntary organizations was most successful. Follow-up data indicated that modifications to the intervention were needed, including increased individualization and additional telephone contact at 6 months post intervention. Short-term outcomes evaluated in this study showed that consumer participants experienced significant improvement in awareness and confidence in ability to manage health-related work problems and took actions recommended by the counselors. The results indicate that the job retention intervention shown to be efficacious in a randomized trial can be effective when carried out in practice at the community level. (Contains 3 tables.)