State-federal Vocational Rehabilitation Research Articles

State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Demographic Characteristics and Employment Outcomes for Native Americans with Mental Illnesses.

There were 9.7 million Native Americans (American Indian, Alaska Native-AI/AN- these acronyms will be used interchangeably with Native Americans throughout the paper) in 2019 comprising 2.9% of the U.S. population. Native American populations have disproportionately higher rates of mental illnesses compared to other racial groups in the U.S. Mental health is a significant public health concern for this population, impacting different areas of their lives including employment. Additionally, Native Americans continue to experience significant disparities in access to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services and have poor employment outcomes. However, little is known about the relationships among demographic factors, vocational rehabilitation services, and employment outcomes of Native Americans with mental illness. Consequently, the current study examined how demographic factors and VR services are related to successful employment outcomes for Native American VR clients with mental illnesses using data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) program year (2019) Case Service Report (9-11). Both descriptive analysis and data mining approaches were used to answer the research questions. Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) analysis was used to determine which of the VR services could best predict the successful employment outcome of Native Americans with mental illness. The findings of the data mining approach revealed that among all the vocational rehabilitation services, job placement assistance was the strongest predictor of successful employment among Native American clients with mental illnesses. The second most important service predicting successful employment for those who received job placement assistance was shown to be maintenance. Implications for rehabilitation counselors and future research are discussed.

Assistive technology services for adults with disabilities in state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs

Purpose Prior research indicates that the provision of assistive technology (AT) services positively predicts successful employment outcomes in vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. While AT services can be promising, they are underutilized overall, and there are apparent disparities in AT service utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic factors which may act as barriers to receiving AT services in VR programs. Recognizing potential disparities is the first step in improving equity in access to beneficial services. Materials and methods This study is a retrospective analysis of national data collected by the Rehabilitation Service Administration’s Case Service Report from fiscal years 2017–2019. The sample included 788,173 cases that reported having a disability, were aged ≥18 years old, was deemed eligible for VR services, and had a complete set of data. Results Less than 9% of VR clients received AT services. We ran a multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the independent effects of various sociodemographic variables on the likelihood of receiving AT services through VR programs. The following client characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving AT services: men, unemployed, minority, low income, significant disability, non-enrolled in post-secondary education, mental or cognitive disability, less education, and younger age (all p < .001). Conclusion The findings emphasize the need for more research to identify underlying mechanisms and potential solutions to these apparent disparities in access to AT services for adults with disabilities. Future research and implications are provided. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Increasing assistive technology (AT) training in counsellor education and offering more AT training for in-service rehabilitation counsellors to increase their competence to serve individuals with diverse disabilities, particularly those with cognitive and mental disabilities. Counsellors should be encouraged to use a team approach to ensure the most effective AT solutions are provided, and improve access to age-appropriate AT for younger individuals. Counsellors should identify alternative funding sources and refine eligibility criteria for low-income individuals, and develop effective means for educating less-informed individuals about the benefits of AT, and recognise the limited access of minority groups to receive services within vocational rehabilitation programs.

Collaborations to Support Employment Outcomes of Youth With Disabilities

The unemployment and underemployment of transition-age youth with disabilities represents a major barrier to full participation in the range of adult life activities. The lack of participation in employment has a negative effect on their physical health, mental health, and overall quality of life. The state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program is the largest program in the United States focused on helping individuals with disabilities achieve employment in support of independent living and community integration of persons with disabilities. However, in addition to VR programs, there are a number of public and private agencies focused on employment of transition-age youth with disabilities. In recognition of the multiple stakeholders and supports, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act of 2014 (WIOA) emphasizes the need for collaboration between VR programs and other agencies and providers. The purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review to identify effective collaborative practices for improving transition to work of transition-age youth with disabilities. Through a methodical review of the literature, 31 articles were identified that met the research protocol criteria. Findings from this scoping review are provided along with implications for efforts to promote collaboration between VR programs and other entities.

STEM Career Pathways for Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities

Background:Although there is an increasing demand for workers in STEM fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented in STEM educational programs and related occupations. Among those who achieved competitive integrated employment after serving under an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) by the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, only 5.3% of individuals with disabilities were engaged in STEM jobs/careers during the years 2017–2019. Of those with an employment outcome in STEM fields, 8,348 (40.9%) were transition-age youth aged 14–24.Objective:Using Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA-911) data for the fiscal years from 2017 to 2019, the current study investigated the characteristics of transition-age youth with disabilities aged 14–24 in the state-federal VR system that predicted employment outcomes in STEM fields.Methods:A logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between individual characteristics and STEM career attainment.Findings:Results illustrated that gender, race, living arrangement, and the receipt of general assistance/SSI/SSDI/TANF predicted employment outcomes in STEM fields.Conclusions:The research findings provide support for the understanding of demographic characteristics of transition-age youth with disabilities successfully closed in STEM jobs/careers after serving under an IPE. A discussion of the strategies and interventions associated with promoting career development and decisions toward the STEM field for transition-age youth with disabilities is provided.

The Impact of Organizational Factors and Professional Identity on Turn Over Intent in State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Turnover of staff is an ongoing concern in the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. To better understand employee turnover intent, a multiple regression analysis was conducted using professional identity and organizational factors (e.g., pay, work tenure) as predictor variables. An internet-based survey solicited counselor perceptions regarding professional identity, turnover intent, and job satisfaction. Respondents ( n = 351) described their level of satisfaction relevant to several workplace conditions (co-workers, job in general, work assignments, pay, promotion, and supervision), and their current level of professional identity. The outcome variable representing current or future turnover intent was whether participants were actively looking for a new position or planning to look for a new position in the next 5 years. Results indicated that a little over one third of current counselors would look for a new position in the coming year, with half of current counselors seeking a new position within 5 years. Findings suggest that turnover in state-federal VR settings exceeds the national average of 19%. Purposeful pre-hire considerations, goodness of fit, motivation factors (i.e., opportunities for promotion), and hygiene factors (i.e., caseload size, supervision, and pay) identified in this study should be elements of a state-federal VR agency’s plan to mitigate turnover intent.

Vocational rehabilitation service delivery: Technical assistance needs of vocational rehabilitation professionals

BACKGROUND: Americans with disabilities have historically faced substantial barriers to employment participation. The state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program has played an important role in increasing the employment opportunities of Americans with disabilities through the provision of services and supports designed to lead to high-quality employment, independence, self-sufficiency, and full integration into the community. OBJECTIVE: The Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC–QE) was designed to bring together the broad range of existing quality employment strategies and supporting practices, identify and implement new ones, and incorporate them into an integrated training and technical assistance plan, consistent with the circumstances and priorities of each State VR agency that requests technical assistance. METHOD: In the present paper, we present the results of a needs assessment survey conducted among State VR rehabilitation counselors and professionals in cooperating rehabilitation agencies and services. RESULTS: The purpose of the present study was to determine technical assistance and training needs of State VR counselors in four practice domains: (a) outreach services, (b) pre-employment transition services, (c) vocational rehabilitation services, and (d) employment services. CONCLUSION: Implications and future directions are also discussed.

Update on funding IPS supported employment services in the IPS learning community.

Individual placement and support (IPS) is the evidence-based supported employment approach for people with serious mental illness. Because funding is the major barrier for states to implement IPS and increase access, the IPS Learning Community collected information about sources of IPS funding from 24 member states. In early 2020, IPS employment leaders from the public mental health authority and the state vocational rehabilitation (VR) authority completed a questionnaire identifying sources of funding for IPS in their states. The main sources of funding were Medicaid, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grants, state and county government, the Ticket to Work program, and the federal-state VR programs. Funding IPS services requires braided funding from multiple sources. This complicated method limits scaling up services statewide. Solving this funding problem would require coordinated action from federal and state agencies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Skills Associated With Job Retention Among Persons With Visual Impairments

Introduction: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 reinforced the state federal vocational rehabilitation program's commitment to job retention and career advancement for persons with disabilities. We continue to have limited information about what job-related skills are most helpful to persons with visual impairments in retaining or advancing in employment. Method: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to investigate the association between current employment status and skills among persons with visual impairments who had a competitive employment history. Data were from a national volunteer survey of persons with visual impairments born between 1950 and 1991. Snowball sampling methods generated the sample. Results: Persons with professional licensure or certificates were more than twice as likely to be employed as those who did not possess these qualifications. Employed participants were less likely to need job-related training to find or keep a job. Discussion: Though additional research to explore the relationships between skills and employment is indicated, persons with visual impairments should be encouraged to explore and pursue job skills training and professional licensure or certification in fields compatible with their career goals. Implications for Practitioners: Even persons with a work history may need additional job skills training to continue employment. Professional licensure or certification may be of value in obtaining employment, but persons with visual impairments may need support to obtain those credentials. Careful career planning to promote positive employment outcomes should include research about the credentials associated with employment goals.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Employment Program for Veterans Transitioning from the Military: Two-Year Outcomes

BackgroundMilitary personnel face numerous challenges transitioning from military jobs to meaningful civilian employment. Many veterans seek help finding employment, but few veteran employment programs have been rigorously studied. Transitioning veterans generally have access to Local Community Resources (LCR), which include the Veterans Health Administration vocational rehabilitation services, the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation program, and the Department of Labor’s American Job Centers. By contrast, the innovative National Career Coach Program (NCCP) offers intensive career coaching and financial incentives for working.MethodsThis study used a randomized controlled design to compare the NCCP and LCR approaches for 208 transitioning service members (recent or pending transition). Researchers conducted interviews by telephone every four months for two years. Outcomes included earnings, months worked, and standardized self-report measures of health and well-being.FindingsAt two-year follow-up, significantly more NCCP participants had worked in paid employment than LCR participants (95% vs. 83%). NCCP participants averaged $2568 in monthly earnings compared to $1865 for LCR participants, thus averaging $16,872 more total income per participant over the two-year period. Employment outcomes significantly improved between Year 1 and Year 2. NCCP participants also reported significantly greater improvements in both physical and mental health compared to LCR participants. Average monthly earnings correlated with changes in health outcomes.ConclusionsVeterans receiving multi-faceted employment services early in the transition from the military showed sustained benefit over a two-year period with increased earnings over time and improved mental and physical outcomes. Positive employment outcomes may have contributed to improved health outcomes.

Determinants of employment outcomes of transition-age youth with depressive disorders

BACKGROUND: Transition-age youth (TAY) with depressive disorders struggle with finding and retaining gainful employment. Thousands of these youth enroll in the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program each year to improve their employment outcomes. However, there is a dearth of information on the factors that facilitate or impede their success in the program. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to shed light on the effects of demographic characteristics and vocational rehabilitation services on successful employment and earnings of TAY with depressive disorders in the state-federal VR program. METHOD: The sample comprised of 4,772 participants drawn from the Rehabilitation Services Administration dataset. Regression analyses were employed to examine the effects of demographic characteristics and vocational rehabilitation services on successful employment and earnings. RESULTS: Results indicated that employment outcomes varied by demographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, severity of disability and level of education. Also, certain VR services had significant positive or negative relationships with successful employment and earnings. CONCLUSIONS: Highlighting the promise of the state-federal programs for supporting TAY with depressive disorders to successfully participate in the labor market, findings from this study expand upon the literature by suggesting practices and services for optimizing employment potentials of this population.

The Importance of Building Capacity for Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance Within Vocational Rehabilitation

Current legislation requires enhanced accountability in data collection and reporting across federal initiatives, including the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. The Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center on Program Evaluation and Quality Assurance (PEQA-TAC), funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the U.S. Department of Education, assisted state VR agencies by building their capacity to carry out high-quality program evaluation and quality assurance practices aligned with contemporary performance management expectations. This paper highlights the need for formal in-service training in this specialized area, shares an overview of the program model involving online coursework and capstone projects, and discusses recommendations for further enhancing state VR capacity in this area.

Factors contributing to successful employment outcomes for individuals who are hard-of-hearing

BACKGROUND: The State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program provides rehabilitation services to people with disabilities with the intention of assisting them in securing competitive employment. The VR services offer substantial resources to help individuals who are hard-of-hearing to enhance their quality of life and employment opportunities. OBJECTIVE: The current study investigated the impact of demographic variables and the use of VR services on employment outcomes among hard-of-hearing consumers. Specific VR services that lead to successful employment among hard-of-hearing consumers were thoroughly examined. METHODS: Binary logistic regression, Chi-square, and Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector analyses were used to analyze the data extracted from the 2014 fiscal year US. Department of Education Rehabilitation Service Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911). RESULTS: Logistic regression reveals that VR services such as diagnosis and treatment of impairments (p-value 0.000), counseling, and guidance (p-value 0.000), and rehabilitation technology (p-value 0.000) were influential factors in determining the successful employment outcome among the consumers. The relative importance of the factors based on the mean decrease in accuracy in CHAID identifies rehabilitation technology (0.264), diagnosis and treatment of impairments (0.090), job placement assistance (0.016), transportation (0.016), and secondary disability (0.010) to be among the most contributing factors. CONCLUSION: Overall, rehabilitation technology services were especially beneficial, particularly for minority consumers, in achieving a successful employment outcome.

Comorbid Traumatic Brain Injury and Visual Impairment: Vocational Rehabilitation Service Provision and Agency-Level Outcomes

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate how services are provided to state–federal vocational rehabilitation consumers with comorbid traumatic brain injury (TBI) and visual impairment and the prevalence of and competitive employment rates for this population. Methods: We utilized a mixed-methods approach by incorporating interview data from 51 vocational rehabilitation agency administrators (to identify strategies used to serve these consumers) and case service data (to identify prevalence and competitive employment rates at the agency level). We combined the data to examine the relationship between strategies used and the prevalence of and employment outcomes for this population. A modified grounded theory approach was used for qualitative data analysis and descriptive statistics, and analyses of variance were used for quantitative data analyses. Results: Strategies used to serve these consumers included collaboration between counselors, involvement of external organizations, specialized TBI units or caseloads, staff training in TBI, and personnel with dual expertise in TBI and visual impairment. Over a third of agency administrators reported that they did not do anything special or different to serve this population. The average percentage of consumers with visual impairments who also had TBIs being served by agencies was 2.1%. Their average competitive employment rate by agency was 43.2%. Employing staff with dual expertise in TBI and visual impairment was associated with serving a greater percentage of consumers and having a higher competitive employment rate. Discussion: No agencies had a unique service delivery program or method to serve this population, perhaps due to its low prevalence. Agencies had substantial variability in the proportion of consumers with TBI and visual impairment served and their competitive employment rates. Implications for practitioners: Training vocational rehabilitation professionals to develop expertise in both TBIs and visual impairments may help agencies better serve these consumers.

Considerations in developing a specialized epilepsy employment program: A sponsor's playbook

Specialized vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs in epilepsy have routinely performed more successfully than general or state-federal VR programs. This article presents the key areas of emphasis in successful epilepsy VR program development to include initial program drivers, choice of VR services model, perspectives on program elements, clients, staffing, service evaluation metrics, operational considerations, and the partnering sponsor's personnel support. Considerable emphasis is placed on the importance and diversity of funding in sustaining a specialized epilepsy VR program. This template of considerations provides potential program implementers with a general framework for successful epilepsy VR program development.

State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury: What Predictors Are Associated With Employment Outcomes?

This study identified predictors of employment for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Data from 4,923 individuals with TBI were extracted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) database. A multiple logistic regression model using demographics, disability-related variables, vocational rehabilitation (VR) service variables, and their interactions correctly classified 69.5% of the cases as successfully employed or not successfully employed. The model explained approximately 27.1% of the variance in employment outcomes. Results indicated that level of education, race/ethnicity, age at application, preemployment status, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), comorbid depression, and case expenditure were significantly associated with employment outcomes (all p ≤ .05). VR variables that showed the most significant positive effect on employment outcomes were on-the-job support, job placement, and on-the-job training. Race/ethnicity moderated the effect of college training, supported employment, transportation, and extended evaluation or work trial assessment services on employment outcomes. The findings have implications for promoting the use of those VR services that are strongly related to employment outcomes for persons with TBI. They also point to the need for rehabilitation personnel to address some of the demographic and disability-related barriers to successful employment.

Application of the KVI-R to Assess and Compare Training Needs for Private and Public State-Federal Rehabilitation Counselors

BackgroundThe KVI-R was developed by a team of researchers in collaboration with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) as a measurement instrument to assess training needs of rehabilitation counselors. The KVI-R includes 92 items measured on two dimensions: importance to the rehabilitation counseling field and degree of preparedness to work in that area.ObjectiveThe objective for this study was to assess and compare training needs reported by private sector and public sector rehabilitation counselors via the KVI-R.MethodsParticipant data for this study was compiled from two previous studies examining rehabilitation counselors working the public sector and a second study examining the private sector. A sample of 442 public sector rehabilitation counselors were recruited from the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies within the federal Mid-Atlantic Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV). A sample of 423 private sector rehabilitation counselors across the United States were recruited through the George Washington University's Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling Certificate Program marketing email list for a total sample of N = 865 Participants responded to two pre- and post- survey questions along with the Knowledge Validation Inventory–Revised (KVI-R) instrument which is used to measure training needs of rehabilitation professionals.FindingsThere were no statistically significant differences shown between the two groups' overall training need or for any KVI-R domain specific need. Both groups indicated that time spent in training was unnecessarily emphasized in areas of group counseling practices and interventions, group counseling theories, and historical philosophical foundations of rehabilitation counseling. Comparing qualitative responses between rehabilitation counselors in the private and the public sector, there were several areas of differences in reported training needs. Those who worked in the public sector reported significantly higher perceived benefits from further training for persons with disabilities (p = .001). Additionally, demographic differences were found between overall years practicing, with private sector counselors having about twice the clinical experience on average compared to the public sector counselors. In addition, private sector counselors had significantly more professional credentials compared to public sector rehabilitation counselors.

Services for Consumers Who Are Deafblind: Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Service Models Utilized and Their Effectiveness

Introduction: Little is known about how state-federal vocational rehabilitation agencies provide services to consumers who are deafblind. The purpose of this study was to investigate these service models and their effectiveness. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was utilized with data from interviews with 51 vocational rehabilitation agency administrators and the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report. Information about how these agencies serve deafblind consumers was combined with data from 2,119 consumers served by those agencies to determine competitive employment rates based on service model type. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence, and logistic regression analysis were utilized. Results: Four vocational rehabilitation agency service models were identified: specialist, professional collaboration, specialist plus professional collaboration, and miscellaneous. Significant differences in competitive employment closure rates were found based on service model type, in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The specialist and professional collaboration models were superior to miscellaneous models. Discussion: This study is the first empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation services for consumers who are deafblind. The results support two previous recommendations about providing services to consumers who are deafblind: establish a deafblind coordinator or specialist position and use a dual-case approach (collaboration between general-service agencies and those for people who are visually impaired). Implications for agencies: To improve competitive employment outcomes for individuals who are deafblind, vocational rehabilitation agency administrators should explore options for specialized deafblind positions and promote collaboration within and beyond their agency.

Employment predictors and outcomes of U.S. state-federal vocational rehabilitation consumers with affective disorders: A CHAID analysis

BackgroundThis study examined the demographic and rehabilitation service variables affecting employment outcomes of people with affective disorders receiving services from U.S. state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. MethodsAn ex post facto design, using data mining as a statistical analysis strategy, was used to analyze the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) for the fiscal year 2011. The sample included 44,960 customers with affective disorders who were closed either as successfully employed (Status 26) or not employed (Status 28) by their VR agency. The dependent variable is employment outcome. The predictor variables include a set of personal characteristic variables and rehabilitation service variables. ResultsThe chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) data mining analysis results indicated that job placement services, on-the-job supports, and job search assistance services were significant predictors of successful employment outcomes for individuals with affective disorders. LimitationsThe study used data from the RSA-911 database. Causality cannot be inferred due to the use of archival data. ConclusionsEmployment should be viewed as a viable treatment outcome for individuals with affective disorders. Rehabilitation professionals should advocate for their clients to receive VR services, including job placement services, on-the-job supports, and job search assistance services in order to maximize their employment and mental health outcomes.

Is Getting a Postsecondary Education a Good Investment for Supported Employees With Intellectual Disability and Taxpayers?

Abstract This study examined the vocational outcomes achieved by 9,432 transition-age (17–26 years old) supported employees with intellectual disability served by state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs throughout the United States in 2015. It found that individuals who had completed at least some postsecondary education were more likely to be employed, work more hours, earn more per hour, and were employed in a greater range of vocations than individuals with all other levels of education examined (i.e., individual without high school diplomas, special education certificate of completion, or high school diploma). Further, individuals who had postsecondary education also were the most cost-effective and would be cost-efficient from the taxpayer's perspective after being employed 28.4 months.

Demographic and service-related correlates of competitive employment outcomes among state-federal vocational rehabilitation clients with learning disabilities: A purposeful selection logistic regression analysis

Demographic and service-related correlates of competitive employment outcomes among state-federal vocational rehabilitation clients with learning disabilities: A purposeful selection logistic regression analysis