State Vocational Rehabilitation Research Articles

Psychometric Validation Of The Motivation To Use Digital Tools At Work Scale In A Sample Of State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Background Digital tools can be important in the state vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. These tools can help rehabilitation counselors improve productivity and customer experience, make it possible for counselors to work from home or across multiple devices, improve communication, help make the VR process more straightforward, and improve work-life balance leading to high level of job satisfaction. However, there are factors that influence rehabilitation counselors’ motivation to use digital tools in their clinical practice, and as a result, there is a need to develop and validate a clinical assessment instrument to assess rehabilitation counselors’ motivation to use digital tools in the workplace. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Motivation to Use Digital Tools at Work Scale in a sample of VR counselors. Methods This study included 416 state VR counselors as participants. The sample was randomly split into two samples, with 197 participants used for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 219 participants used for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Zero-order correlations were utilized to examine the relationships between the Motivation to Use Digital Tools at Work Scale constructs and related constructs in the nomological model. Results EFA identified a two-factor measurement structure that was confirmed by CFA: Intrinsic motivation and external motivation to use digital tools at work with strong internal consistency reliability for both subscales. Conclusion The Motivation to Use Digital Tools at Work Scale is a valid and reliable scale for assessing motivation among VR counselors and confirms the impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation on technology interaction.

Building relationships for shared cases between state and tribal vocational rehabilitation programs

Background Since their inception, State Vocational Rehabilitation (SVR) and American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) have played pivotal roles in assisting millions of individuals with disabilities in securing and sustaining competitive integrated employment. Objective This article aims to inform readers about the historical context and key issues concerning AIVRS while proposing strategies for enhanced collaboration between AIVRS and SVR programs in joint service provision. Methods While published research on providing VR services to American Indians or Alaska Natives (AI/AN) is limited, much of the information in this article is based on the extensive knowledge of the authors, who collectively possess decades of experience in SVR and AIVRS. Results Key topics include (a) challenges encountered by the AI/AN population; (b) prevailing attitudes toward disability and employment within AI/AN communities; (c) a comparative overview of the histories and operations of SVR and AIVRS; (d) supporters of and advocates for AIVRS projects; (e) considerations when sharing cases; and (f) recommendations for fostering cooperative practices that benefit AI/AN communities. Conclusion By integrating culturally appropriate services, including holistic traditional healing, AIVRS projects and SVR agencies can offer complementary support while honoring the cultural heritage of AI/AN clients.

Continuous Improvement in State Vocational Rehabilitation: A Demonstration and Call to Action

Background State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) are the leading provider of employment services for disabled adults in the United States, with achievement of competitive integrated employment as their main outcome. Objective Current data collection policies and practices require counselors to record extensive information for case documentation purposes, however, these data offer limited utility for service planning or for determinations of whether services are having the intended impact. Available data is not structured to support continuous improvement for individual providers or to establish evidence of best practices in day-to-day service provision. Method In this article, we present the many potential benefits of including pre-post assessment of services in measuring the impact of SVRA services. Results The Transition Readiness Toolkit offers a concrete example of the advantages associated with pre-post assessment and continuous use of data to guide services and quality improvement in SVRAs. Conclusion Recommendations and implications for implementing pre-post assessment for other SVRA services are provided.

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.

Factors Related to Employment of Transition-Age Youth With Intellectual Disability

This study examined the relationship between demographic factors and disability type and employment in transition-age individuals with intellectual disabilities who received state vocational rehabilitation services. The study conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration 911 dataset with an inclusion sample of 39,060 youth. Results indicated that race, ethnicity, gender, education level, and disability type correlated with employment. Specifically, individuals of transition age who were Black, Hispanic, female, had an intellectual disability, and had not completed high school were less likely to be employed than their counterparts who were White, non-Hispanic, male, had a disability other than intellectual disability, and had completed at least high school. These findings were consistent with the previous research. The authors posited that such research going forward would benefit from more studies utilizing primary data collection, mixed-methods designs, more discernment among modifiable and nonmodifiable demographic factors, and using an intersectionality lens to understand the cumulative effect of factors associated with disadvantage or marginalization (i.e., race and ethnicity) on employment in this population.

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.

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.

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.

Employment after SCI: Experiences of Employers and State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Employment after SCI: Experiences of Employers and State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

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.

Demographic covariates and vocational rehabilitation services as predictors of employment outcomes of people with physical disabilities: a hierarchical logistic regression analysis

Purpose Stable employment is essential for the health, psychosocial, and financial well-being of people with physical disabilities (PwPD). Unfortunately, the low employment rate for PwPD in the U.S. exposes them to adverse effects of unemployment, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and physical pain. Helping PwPD find gainful employment will improve their general health and well-being. However, few empirical studies examine factors affecting the employment outcomes of PwPD. This study aims to examine the relationship between demographic covariates, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and employment outcomes of PwPD. Materials and Methods This secondary data analysis study includes 17,598 PwPD from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) dataset. Our analysical approach was hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Results For VR services, workplace support, technology support, job placement assistance, and VR counseling significantly contribute to predicting employment outcomes for PwPD. Even after entering VR services, the demographic variables (age, race, education, referral sources, low-income, long-term unemployment, and disability significancy) were still significant predictors of employment. Conclusions Findings from this study can be used by state VR counselors and other disability service providers to plan and select effective employment-related interventions to improve the employment outcomes of PwPD.

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.

Job Satisfaction and Receiving Prosocial Workplace Behaviors Among Rehabilitation Counselors

Job satisfaction represents how an employee evaluates their job as favorable to unfavorable. Job satisfaction is widely studied because it can affect how an employee thinks, feels, and behaves in relation to their job. There is evidence that a supportive work environment tends to have outcomes that are more positive for the individual employees and the organization in general. While the rehabilitation counseling supervisor is a source of support (e.g., supervisor shows that they value counselor’s contributions; supervisor supports counselor decisions; supervisor trusts counselor to try new things), supervisors are often tasked with many duties in addition to their critical role of supervision and rehabilitation counselors may experience barriers to receiving support from supervisors. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between job satisfaction and support, in the form of prosocial behaviors from individuals in their organization (e.g., one member of an organization helping another complete a task; one member of the organization conveying actions of respect towards another; one member of the organization listening to anxiety and fears at work of another). Among the sample of rehabilitation counselors employed in the state vocational rehabilitation program studied, results indicate that rehabilitation counselors who received support from their supervisor and support from others in the organization reported the highest levels of job satisfaction. For counselors receiving low levels of support from their supervisor, receiving support from others in the organization seemed to make up for lack of support from the supervisor in terms of job satisfaction. In terms of job satisfaction, results indicate it is critical for rehabilitation counselors to receive support from individuals in the workplace in some capacity.

An Analysis of the Rehabilitation Service Administration 911 Supported and Customized Employment Outcome Data for Fiscal Years 2017–2020

Supported employment ( SE) and customized employment (CE) are vocational rehabilitation services designed to assist job seekers with significant disabilities to find meaningful competitive integrated employment. We conducted an analysis of Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA-911) data for fiscal years 2017–2020 to determine the outcomes at the exit for individuals receiving SE and CE services. Specifically, we examined (a) what occupations, according to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, are individuals obtaining after exiting from state vocational rehabilitation SE and CE services, (b) if there is a difference in occupational types at the exit for individuals who receive SE and CE services, (c) if there is a difference in hourly wages and hours worked at the exit for individuals who receive SE and CE services, and (d) if there are differences in wages, after controlling for sex and race at exit for SE and CE service recipients. Results indicated most individuals receiving SE and CE services exit into three broad SOC code categories: Food preparation and servicing related, office and administrative support, and building grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations. Proportional differences suggest that individuals receiving CE are exploring a wider range of occupations compared with SE. There was a significant difference in wages between SE and CE but no difference in hours worked between SE and CE service recipients.