Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 51, issue 2

Authors: Tucker, Mark S. | Guillermo, Mari S. | Corona, Vanessa C. | Sax, Caren L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Parents and guardians play significant roles helping young individuals with disabilities to develop expectations about adult endeavors, including postsecondary education and work. These expectations are partially shaped by access to information and training related to disability, education, employment, community resources, and disability-related services and supports. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is to illustrate the findings of a longitudinal examination of provision of information and training interventions to parents of young recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). METHODS: The inquiry examined case service data of 1,646 young SSI recipients and their parents or guardians. Analyses …examined trends in parent/guardian information and training interventions based upon the youth’s age, gender, disability type, the parent’s employment status, parent’s education level, and youth and parent expectations about work and college. RESULTS: There were no differences in interventions received associated with gender, age, parent education level, or parent expectation that the youth would work after completing high school. However, there were differences in interventions received associated with type of disability and parent/guardian employment status. Additionally, youth who expected to seek employment or attend college after high school and parents who expected their youth to attend college received significantly fewer interventions, while those who did not hold those expectations received significantly more interventions. Show more

Keywords: Parents, guardians, transition-age youth, SSI

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191040

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 225-234, 2019

Authors: Luecking, Richard G. | Crane, Kelli Thuli | Gingerich, Jade A. | Morris, Taylor R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Maryland Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) model demonstration project has implemented and is evaluating a collaborative, integrated community-based intervention. PROMISE is designed to increase the likelihood that youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Maryland, and their families, will experience better employment outcomes, increased earnings, and decreased public income support. The intervention was conceptualized from extant research identifying factors, which promote competitive integrated employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: In order to effectively assess the impact of the intervention on the participating youth and families it is necessary to ensure that …the large-scale statewide project upholds a strong measure of fidelity across implementation sites. That is, does the project deliver the intervention as intended and is it implemented the same way no matter the individual characteristics of the participants and no matter where they live? RESULTS: The authors present a descriptive report on the implementation of Maryland PROMISE, illustrate measures of fidelity achieved in serving 997 transition age youth receiving SSI across the state, show preliminary data on early impact, and offer implications for ongoing PROMISE evaluation and its potential influence on policy and practice. Show more

Keywords: Supplemental Security Income, transition-age youth, implementation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191041

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 235-242, 2019

Authors: Gold, Paul B. | Crane, Kelli Thuli | Fabian, Ellen S. | Morris, Taylor R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Recruiting and enrolling participants into randomized controlled trials is difficult. Reviews of the extent to which trials achieve targets on time and within budget commonly report failure or delay. PROMISE—Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—a six program cooperative study of randomized trials testing effectiveness of service programs for transition-aged youth with disabilities receiving SSI benefits on employment and educational outcomes, provides an unusual opportunity to describe successful recruitment and enrollment into large-scale trials. OBJECTIVE: The purpose is to profile recruitment strategies used within and across the six PROMISE programs for meeting enrollment targets of …SSI youth and families. METHODS: From descriptive data extracted from process analysis reports of each of the six PROMISE programs, we constructed cross-program profiles of recruitment strategies. RESULTS: All six programs met their enrollment targets on time. Although they contacted most potential participants through initial mailings and telephone calls, the programs reported that multiple contacts using multiple strategies, especially resource-intensive in person meetings and assignment of staff full-time to recruitment activities, were needed to meet enrollment targets. CONCLUSIONS: Because all PROMISE programs met their required enrollment targets, researchers designing large-scale, field-based randomized controlled trials may benefit from using a mix of recruitment strategies deployed by full-time recruiters. Show more

Keywords: supplemental security income, randomized clinical trials, transition-age youth with disabilities, recruitment, enrollment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191042

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 243-252, 2019

Authors: Anderson, Catherine A. | Schlegelmilch, Amanda | Hartman, Ellie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a federal demonstration grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Social Security Administration. Wisconsin PROMISE is one of six model demonstration sites. OBJECTIVE: This analysis was conducted to help illustrate the estimated costs and potential savings associated with supporting transition-age youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) achieve competitive, integrated employment. RESULTS: While not all youth achieve earnings at substantial levels, the research clearly indicates that providing opportunities for employment during the transition age …years increases the likelihood of employment in adulthood. Additionally, youth with access to coordinated services and supports are more likely to be employed at higher rates, preparing them for improved employment and earnings trajectories into adulthood. CONCLUSION: Two options are presented, and the integration of employment-focused targeted outreach and case management and/or family navigator advocates is recommended for all transition-age youth receiving SSI and their families. Show more

Keywords: Transition-age youth, Supplemental Security Income, employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191043

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 253-261, 2019

Authors: Enayati, Hassan | Shaw, Leslie A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Promoting Readiness of Minors in SSI (PROMISE) is a uniquely large initiative, with over $229 million awarded to sites across the country, by the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human services to improve the education and employment outcomes for youth who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families. OBJECTIVE: Policy makers need a clear understanding of the impact of the PROMISE intervention and the cost to roll out policy changes to the broader population; however, a comprehensive return on investment (ROI) analysis of PROMISE will not be available for many years, as it …will require long-run information on the employment patterns of the participants. Although a full ROI analysis will be an essential tool to evaluate the policy implications of PROMISE, there is also a current need to understand the range of the ROI. To that end, this study aims to frame the bounds of the ROI for PROMISE and highlight the costs of expanding the availability of select services. CONCLUSION: The bounds of the ROI are determined by estimating the range of lifetime cost savings over levels of employment for SSI youth, accounting for benefit receipt and tax revenue. Using administrative data from the PROMISE sites, the study additionally estimates the cost to expanding select PROMISE services or activities within each state or site. Show more

Keywords: Supplemental Security Income, transition-age youth, return on investment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191044

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 263-273, 2019

Authors: Nye-Lengerman, Kelly | Gunty, Amy | Johnson, David | Hawes, Maureen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: PROMISE Model Demonstration Projects (MDPs) are on the front line of innovative, comprehensive supports for transition-aged youth and their families. Investments made through PROMISE can inform future policy and practice in youth transition, family engagement, and systems collaboration. This paper gives an overview of emerging lessons learned throughout the implementation of PROMISE MDPs. DOCUMENTS REVIEWED: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of documents from key stages of project implementation, including technical assistance plans, briefing books, mid-course and annual progress reports, and comprehensive process reports. These documents were reviewed regarding five core areas around which PROMISE was developed: …collaboration models, professional development, leadership, service delivery, and family engagement. FINDINGS: The most salient emerging themes concern service delivery, leadership, interagency collaboration, professional development, and family engagement. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: This document review provides the foundation and directions for a further evaluation of lessons learned in PROMISE MDPs. These lessons can inform recommendations for sustainability, the use of best practices, and the integration of policies that support employment and post-secondary education for youth with disabilities and their families. It is essential that future research continues to develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of these emerging themes. Show more

Keywords: Transition-age youth, supplemental security income, PROMISE, employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191045

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 275-284, 2019