Abstract
Transitioning students with disabilities are at a disadvantage for post-school employment. This article explores ASPIRE case managers’ roles in promoting employment among transition-age youth with disabilities receiving SSI. Qualitative and quantitative studies examined programmatic factors related to employment. Results showed that higher rates of face-to-face case management meetings and early employment experiences were associated with improved employment outcomes. Effective case managers’ interactions with families were characterized by persistence, flexibility, and a holistic focus. Case management during the transition to adulthood, which crosses independent living, education, and employment domains, is important. A cross-domain case management model can be effective in mitigating multiple barriers to self-sufficiency experienced by families living with disability and poverty. Limitations and implications for research and practice are included.
Highlights
Transition-age youth with disabilities have fewer employment opportunities while in high school compared with their peers without disabilities
Research indicates that having relevant work experience and completing youthidentified goals related to transition are highly associated with improved graduation rates and employment outcomes (Benz et al, 2000; Nord et al, 2018)
ASPIRE was a consortium of six states, including Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah, to inform federal policymakers on strategies for improving employment outcomes for youth with disabilities living in more rural locations
Summary
Transition-age youth with disabilities have fewer employment opportunities while in high school compared with their peers without disabilities. Researchers have attempted to address this disparity by studying strategies to promote employment for youth with disabilities in the transition period. PROMISE’s goal was to test strategies for improving the long-term employment and educational outcomes of transition-aged youth with disabilities receiving SSI and their families. One of the PROMISE demonstration sites, the Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE) project, implemented a case management system outside the school setting to support youth receiving SSI with transition-related goals and their families. The purpose of this article was to study ASPIRE strategies to promote integrated, competitive employment for youth with disabilities receiving SSI while in transition.
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