State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies Research Articles

Vocational rehabilitation service usage and outcomes for transition-age youth with serious mental health conditions

BACKGROUND: The postsecondary vocational outcomes of students with mental health disabilities (MHD) are poor and vocational rehabilitation factors contributing to better outcomes have not been identified. OBJECTIVE: Characterize demographic, service use and service outcome differences between youth with MHD and youth with other disabilities from state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRA) and identify factors predicting service use and service outcomes within youth with MHD. METHODS: Data were from 2015–2017 Rehabilitation Services Administration-911 case closure files. The sample consisted of 14–24-year-old SVRA applicants. Cross-disability characteristics, service use and outcomes were compared. Within youth with MHD, multivariate analyses examined factors contributing to having an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) and successful case closure (i.e., with employment). RESULTS: Youth with MHD were underrepresented, older at application and were less likely to have IPEs and successful closures than youth in other disability groups. Within youth with MHD, application age and SVRA characteristics were the strongest predictors of having an IPE. Education and employment status at application strongly predicted successful closure. CONCLUSION: Youth with MHD, as in previous cohorts, continue to have lower service use and successful SVRA outcomes. Efforts are needed to increase their connection to SVRAs at younger ages. Youth with MHD without employment at application may need additional supports to achieve successful closures. Addressing several SVRA performance characteristics may improve their service use and outcomes.

Supervision Impact on Rehabilitation Counselor Job Satisfaction and Intent-to-Quit

In the public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, recruitment and retention of rehabilitation counselors remains a persistent concern that has broad implications for employee working conditions and the capacity to effectively serve individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation counselor supervision models have commonly included clinical supervision, administrative supervision, and supervisory working alliance (SWA) variables, though there is limited empirical research exploring how these factors relate to counselor outcomes. A sample of 192 practicing rehabilitation counselors from state VR agencies were surveyed to investigate how these factors contribute to counselors’ job satisfaction and intent-to-quit. Results showed that clinical supervision practices contributed to higher job satisfaction and lower intent-to-quit, with evidence that this effect was mediated through the SWA. Administrative supervision was not a significant contributor to outcomes in multivariate models. Findings suggest that regular supervision sessions that incorporate clinical concerns and balance administrative demands may support counselor retention.

Fortune 500 companies and employment of people with disabilities: The intermediary role of disability inclusion policies and practices

BACKGROUND: Employing qualified individuals with disabilities can improve organizational competitiveness and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. However, research on disability inclusion policy and practices among employers committed to hiring people with disabilities is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate efforts of Fortune 500 companies to include disability in their DEI policy and examine the effect of disability inclusion policy and practices on employment of people with disabilities METHODS: Four hundred sixty-six human resource and project managers with hiring authority participated in the present study. The Disability Inclusion Profiler-23 (DIP-23) was used to assess the perceived importance and implementation level of disability inclusion policy and practices in Fortune 500 and non-Fortune 500 companies. Two-sample independent t-tests were used to compare disability-employment rates and disability inclusion scores between Fortune 500 and non-Fortune 500 groups. Parallel mediation analysis was conducted to examine the extent to which executive level and mid-manager level DIP scores mediated the relationship between Fortune 500 companies and disability employment rates. RESULTS: Fortune 500 companies demonstrated higher disability employment rates and better disability inclusion policies and practices compared to non-Fortune 500 companies. CONCLUSION: State vocational rehabilitation agencies and other disability service providers should engage Fortune 500 executives to bolster disability inclusion efforts. Collaboration between vocational rehabilitation professionals and mid-level managers can enhance DIP policy implementation, thereby improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)-911 Data: Research Study Concerns and Recommendations

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)-911 is a potent dataset. The purpose of this study is to improve the veracity of research using the RSA-911 dataset. To achieve this, 43 research studies that were published between 2018 and 2022 that used Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)-911 data were evaluated in a scoping review. The articles were assessed on several characteristics–reporting of data cleaning strategies utilized, discussion of variable definitions, and the methodological rigor of the statistical analyses that were reported. Opportunities for improvement in data cleaning strategies, reporting accurate definitions of the variables that were selected for the studies, improving the rigor of study methodologies, and recommendations for practice in State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies were found. Recommendations are provided that may improve research studies that are conducted with the RSA-911 data which may ultimately improve services for participants with disabilities served in State VR agencies.

Promoting quality career pathways for individuals with disabilities through the public vocational rehabilitation program

BACKGROUND: Career Pathways initiatives in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing quality employment outcomes among individuals with disabilities. This paper conducts a comprehensive examination of the integration of Career Pathways within VR, emphasizing its significance in aligning vocational goals with evolving labor market demands. OBJECTIVE: Drawing from the innovative Career Pathways initiatives introduced by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), this paper addresses the RSA Career Pathways Demonstration Initiatives from 2015 to 2019 alongside the ongoing Disability Innovation Fund-Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project. The paper also discusses the strengthening of Career Pathways through the development of high-quality Individualized Plans for Employment and program evaluation. METHODS: This study utilized a modified exploratory case study approach to examine past and present career pathways initiatives in state VR agencies. Data were gathered from publicly available documentation and archival records, focusing on 12 cases from two national initiatives: the RSA Career Pathways Demonstration Initiatives (2015–2019) and the Disability Innovation Fund-Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project (2021–2026). RESULTS: The study reveals a substantial, positive impact on employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities through Career Pathways in VR programs, facilitated by the integration of adaptable pathways, individualized planning, and program evaluation.

Customized employment for transition-age youth in state vocational rehabilitation program PY2017 - PY2020: Analysis of service outcomes and related factors

BACKGROUND: Customized employment (CE) is positively correlated with competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes and potentially supports transition-age youth in achieving sustainable employment. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the employment outcomes and related factors for transition-age youth with disabilities who received CE services through state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs) and their vendors from program year 2017 to 2020. METHODS: Employing a combination of descriptive analysis, binary logistic and multiple regression, chi-square tests, and t-tests, the study investigates the demographics, potential barriers, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services received by the research sample using the RSA-911 dataset. RESULTS: The sample comprised 672 individuals with a mean age of 22.30 years. The most prevalent barrier to employment among CE participants was long-term unemployment, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was the most common social security benefit. Furthermore, only 13.2% of transition-age youth achieved CIE status, compared to 30.1% of adults. The key predictors of employment outcomes, including CIE status, weekly earnings, and working hours were identified. CONCLUSION: The research reveals significant differences in employment outcomes between transition-age youth and adult VR consumers. These insights emphasize the necessity for SVRAs to consider a range of factors, including demographics, potential employment barriers, and the effects of various VR services, to increase the CE service effectiveness for transition-age youth.

The Impact of Pre-Employment Transition and Individualized Vocational Rehabilitation Services on Employment Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities

Despite increased attention by policymakers to improve postsecondary employment outcomes, rates of entry into the competitive workforce for transition-age youth with disabilities continue to lag behind their peers without disabilities. The passing of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 provided increased opportunities for transition-age youth with disabilities to prepare for the world of work through coordinated service delivery between schools and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, including work-based learning, an established predictor of competitive employment. The current study uses the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) data between the fiscal years 2017 to 2020. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors associated with successful employment among 15,295 transition-age youth with disabilities who received both Pre-ETS and individualized VR services. Findings indicate discrepancies between the most effective and most frequently provided services. Implications for future policy, practice, and research are discussed.

State-level characteristics and trends in pre-employment transition service delivery to students with disabilities

BACKGROUND: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) substantially changed the way state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies prepare transition-age students with disabilities for competitive integrated employment through the provision of pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). However, little is known about how state VR agencies are delivering Pre-ETS to students with disabilities in practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine state-level provision of Pre-ETS across the United States. METHOD: Descriptive analyses of Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) data of Pre-ETS recipients between 2017 and 2020 were conducted across states. RESULTS: Substantial state-level differences were noted in the type of Pre-ETS provided, how many Pre-ETS were provided to each recipient, the disability characteristics of students, and state use of Pre-ETS provider types (VR staff or vendor). CONCLUSION: State differences in Pre-ETS implementation require further research to investigate best practices within and across states. More differentiated training and technical assistance models aligned with these state-level differences are needed.

Enhancing transition outcomes: A toolkit to facilitate data-driven pre-employment transition services

BACKGROUND: The Rehabilitation Act, as amended in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), highlights the need to improve outcomes for transition-age students and youth with disabilities. The amendments require state vocational rehabilitation agencies to allocate 15% of their federal funding to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to an expanded population of transition-age students and youth with disabilities. Rapid implementation of this mandate required state vocational rehabilitation agencies to begin offering the five required Pre-ETS before mechanisms for monitoring and improvement could be created and field-tested. Nearly a decade since the passage of WIOA, many states are still without practical mechanisms for evaluating Pre-ETS despite increasing emphasis on using evidence-based practices in public programs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to present insights from the systematic implementation of The Transition Readiness Toolkit (TRT) within a state vocational rehabilitation agency. METHODS: We detail the creation of the TRT, our approach for implementing it across multiple states, and how it supports data-driven decision making for Pre-ETS providers and agencies. RESULTS: Initial results of implementation are promising. State VR agencies and Pre-ETS providers are using the data to increase accountability and understand the impact of their services. CONCLUSION: We present reflections on use of the TRT in a state agency and implications from an evidenced-based policy framework.

Building a foundation for competitive integrated employment: What does the future hold for pre-employment transition services

One of the more creative aspects of the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA, 2014) is the pre-employment transition services program (Pre-ETS). In WIOA, for the first time a federal rehabilitation law has been reauthorized to include a requirement that 15% of the state case management service funding must be devoted to Pre-ETS activities. However, a significant number of state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies have been unable to spend this required 15% and therefore millions and millions of dollars nationally have been returned to the Rehabilitation Services Administration. In this paper, we describe how Pre-ETS can be used to get youth with disabilities into competitive and integrated employment, while also outlining many of the systems challenges related to these efforts— specifically for VR and schools. We also provide recommendations for the future to improve outcomes by making Pre-ETS work more effectively.

A scoping review of pre-employment transition services for transition aged youth with disabilities

BACKGROUND: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (2014) requires state vocational rehabilitation agencies to dedicate 15% of their budget to providing pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to transition aged youth (TAY) with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to summarize the peer-reviewed, empirical literature focused on Pre-ETS for TAY with disabilities. METHOD: An initial search was completed on October 24th, 2023. A second search was conducted on January 1, 2024 to determine whether any additional publications that met inclusion criteria were published. We used scoping review methods to review, summarize, and identify gaps within the existing literature about Pre-ETS for TAY with disabilities. We identified study characteristics and main areas of foci for each study. RESULTS: A total of 26 peer-reviewed articles published in the United States between 2017–2023 focused on Pre-ETS for TAY with disabilities. Articles focused on (a) participants’ perceptions of Pre-ETS, (b) program and TAY outcomes, and (c) policy analyses. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Pre-ETS are a promising set of practices to increase the postschool outcomes of TAY with disabilities. Implications for practice, research, and policy are discussed.

Pre-employment transition and vocational rehabilitation services: Experiences in response to Vermont’s work-based learning program

BACKGROUND: State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies offer pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) and other VR services to high school students, but the literature has not documented differences in pre-ETS use by individual characteristics or across individual services. OBJECTIVE: We describe variation in how high school students used services from the Vermont VR agency and how a demonstration program emphasizing work-based learning experiences affected that use. METHOD: The study uses a descriptive approach to explore patterns in youth’s pre-ETS and VR services and outcomes two years after enrolling in a demonstration program. It compares youth with access to demonstration services (the treatment group) to those using usual services (the control group). RESULTS: Among all control group youth, more than half only used pre-ETS during a 24-month period, while about one-quarter used VR services and the remainder used no services from the VR agency. In contrast, nearly all treatment group youth used some VR services, with a majority (59 percent) using both VR services and pre-ETS. Control group youth who used pre-ETS and VR services differed from those who did not use these services by gender, disability type, employment, and service receipt characteristics; treatment group youth had fewer such differences. Earnings outcomes did not vary in consistent or interpretable ways. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate how an intervention designed to promote work-based learning experiences increased pre-ETS and VR use and decreased subgroup differences in service utilization. VR administrators might consider collecting information on potentially eligible students to increase access to and use of services.

A summary of the self-employment outcomes in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: Program years 2018, 2019, and 2020

BACKGROUND: Self-employment continues to be an elusive competitive integrated employment outcome (CIE) for people with disabilities receiving services from State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRA). This article provides a snapshot of the extent to which self-employment is occurring within the SVRA program as a CIE outcome. Recommendations are included for VR policies and practices that may expand the self-employment participation and outcomes for an inclusive range of VR recipients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of the national outcomes in self-employment for individuals served by the SVRAs for program years 2018, 2019, and 2020. METHODS: The data in this article was provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) as part of the RSA Case Service Report (RSA-911) for 2018, 2019, and 2020. RESULTS: Self-employment continues to be an underutilized VR service. Outcomes in self-employment as a percentage of all VR outcomes in CIE remained low and stagnant during 2018 and 2019 with a noticeable drop in outcomes for PY 2020. Consistently, self-employment outcomes are predominantly achieved in the VR system by a homogenous population of older (age 50+) participants whose race is white and gender is male. CONCLUSION: Unless the field of vocational rehabilitation proactively commits to diversifying and expanding self-employment participation and outcomes, the odds are that the outcomes for self-employment will remain unchanged.

Understanding the provision of self-employment for people with disabilities in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: A policy review

BACKGROUND: State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies play a critical role in helping people with disabilities gain employment; however, self-employment remains an infrequent outcome for VR participants even though self-employment rates are disproportionately higher for people with disabilities than the general population. OBJECTIVE: The study provides a broad review and analysis of state VR self-employment policies to identify barriers that impede equitable access to self-employment services and provide recommendations on how to address these nationally. METHODS: The policy analysis included reviewing 73 VR state and territory agency’s policies across the country, using data from the RSA-911 self-employment data and other sources about the self-employment process through VR agencies. RESULTS: Currently less than 2% of VR participants exit into self-employment nationwide. Three policy areas that could increase outcomes for self-employment are self-employment assessments, market analysis or business planning requirements, and self-employment funding and financing guidelines. CONCLUSION: Policymakers need to explore new opportunities to address unintended barriers and increase equitable access to self-employment such as replacing trait focused self-employment assessments, providing technical assistance from the beginning of the self-employment process, and develop funding policies that better align with those for wage employment services.

Facilitating self-employment as a competitive integrated employment outcome: Results of a focus group study with vocational rehabilitation professionals

BACKGROUND: Self-employment is defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 as a competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcome. However, an analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) reveals that a limited number of people with disabilities receiving vocational rehabilitation services exit the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies with a self-employment outcome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professionals report as facilitators of self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. METHOD: A national sample of VR professionals was recruited to participate in a series of focus groups. Using Zoom Meeting, participants discussed their experiences with self-employment when providing services to people with disabilities. The research team used NVivo12 software to conduct primary data analysis of the transcribed focus group sessions with the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the analysis to include 1) resources, 2) practices, 3) experiences, and 4) attitudes. Each of these major themes contained subthemes related to facilitators of self-employment for people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: A key finding was the need for more comprehensive and individualized training and support for VR counselors. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Employment and Rehabilitation for Veterans With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Suggestions

This review aims to explore and synthesize employment and rehabilitation services for veterans with disabilities to help rehabilitation clinicians and researchers understand the characteristics and needs of this population, with the aim to improve employment and rehabilitation outcomes for veterans with disabilities. More specifically, our goal is to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and employment services for veterans with disabilities. Veterans with disabilities may be eligible to receive VR services from both the Veterans Affairs (VA) and state VR agencies; however, they still experience significant challenges and barriers in employment due to unique characteristics of veterans and their disabilities. For example, poverty, homelessness, and unemployment due to disability are significant challenges for veterans with disabilities, their families, service providers, stakeholders, and policymakers. Research has long identified employment and rehabilitation services can buffer against these challenges; however, VR services are identified as the least used VA services among veterans with disabilities. This study includes implications to inform clinicians, policy makers, and researchers on VR and employment services for veterans with disabilities.

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 counselor burnout profiles and mindfulness

AbstractBurnout of vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors can not only lead to decreased job satisfaction and turnover but also damage the quality of VR services provided to clients with disabilities. It is an ethical obligation for VR counselors to engage in self‐care practices to prevent burnout. The current study surveyed 147 VR counselors from two State VR agencies about their current level of burnout and mindfulness related facets. Based on the latent profile analysis, four unique counselor burnout profiles were identified. These were well‐adjusted‐counselor, type I preserving‐counselor, type II preserving‐counselor, and disconnected‐counselor. Moreover, the results of multivariate analysis of variance tests disclosed that VR counselors with different counselor burnout profiles varied significantly on the mindfulness measure, especially in the facets of acting with awareness and non‐judging. The results have unique research and practice implications for the prevention and treatment of burnout of VR counselors.

Customized employment as a pathway to competitive integrated employment: An analysis of RSA 911 data of state vocational rehabilitation agencies with the highest use of this intervention

BACKGROUND: Customized employment (CE) is a highly relevant but underused strategy for individuals with significant disabilities. It is important to examine how CE has been utilized in state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify SVRAs’ CE service patterns and outcomes from 2017 to 2020. METHODS: Descriptive analysis, chi-square, and t-test comprised data analysis. RESULTS: 78% of the consumers receiving CE were associated with 10 SVRAs. This sample (N = 1,779) was 57.4% male and 42.6% female and had a mean age of 31.61 years. 77% were White. The frequent services provided with CE were VR counseling and guidance, assessment, and job placement assistance. Based on the service provision pattern, the agencies were separated into Group A, using co-occurring services other than supported employment (SE), and Group B, using SE along with CE. Consumers served by Group B are more likely to have cognitive impairment, intellectual disability, and the most significant disability. Group A is associated with lower employment, higher weekly earnings, and weekly hours worked. CONCLUSION: VR agencies and providers should consider these findings to refine and improve their service delivery and policies/procedures particularly for customized employment.

Effects of supported employment on the competitive integrated employment outcomes of transition age and young adults with intellectual disabilities: A non-experimental causal comparative study

BACKGROUND: Supported employment has long been recognized as one of the most effective services for individuals with the most significant disabilities in achieving competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of supported employment interventions on the employment outcomes of transition-age youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities served by state vocational rehabilitation agencies using a propensity score matching (PSM) approach. METHODS: We conducted a non-experimental causal comparative study with PSM to create a treatment group (n = 2162) and a comparison group (n = 2191) using the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report database (Program Year 2018). Chi-square test and t-test were used to analyze the differences between the treatment and control groups on employment outcomes, hourly wage and hours worked per week. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that transition-age youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities who received supported employment were more likely to achieve CIE, earn higher wages, and work longer hours weekly than the control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that supported employment is an effective service for enhancing the vocational rehabilitation outcomes of transition-age youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities and provides valuable information for policy makers, health care providers, rehabilitation counselors, and educators.