Predicting rehabilitation outcome for supplemental security income and social security disability income recipients: implications for consideration with the ticket to work program

Journal of Rehabilitation, July-Sept, 2005 by Jackie B. Rogers, Malachy Bishop, Ralph M. Crystal

Other studies, not specifically restricted to beneficiaries of SSI or SSDI, have also found that individuals who receive job placement services are significantly more likely to obtain competitive employment. Moore, Feist-Price and Alston (2002) found that persons with severe/profound mental retardation were significantly more likely to obtain employment if they were provided job placement services. Hayward and Schmidt-Davis (2003) conducted a longitudinal study for the Rehabilitation Services Administration to "assess the performance of the state-federal VR program in assisting eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve positive, sustained economic and non-economic outcomes as a result of their receipt of VR services" (p. 1). This study was implemented in 1992 and tracked a representative sample of VR applicants and consumers for tip to three years after exit from the VR program. One of the factors investigated was the extent to which specific VR services predicted or contributed to successful employment outcomes. They found that several services increased the likelihood of competitive employment. These services included job placement, job development, and on-the-job training. Postsecondary education and provision of tools, uniforms, and equipment contributed to a lesser degree to competitive employment. Individuals who received job placement services achieved competitive employment more than twice as often as those who did not receive such services. Although job placement services contributed to successful employment outcomes, only 11% of all individuals received this service.

Attempts have been made to determine if there is a particular technique for providing rehabilitation services that is more effective in returning individuals to work. Shrey and Bangs (1991) conducted a demonstration project that used a multidisciplinary disability. management model to assist in returning beneficiaries to work. Services provided included multidisciplinary rehabilitation evaluations, vocational evaluations, vocational counseling, job-seeking skills training and informational programs on Social Security work incentives. In addition, job development and placement networking activities with employers and information on obtaining assistive devices and other resources were provided. The project had an estimated 25% rate of success. This represents a substantial increase in return to work from the GAO study conducted in 1987 and may indicate a vocational rehabilitation service approach that should be considered in providing return to work assistance to beneficiaries.

Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness of particular vocational rehabilitation services in predicting employment outcomes for SSI and SSDI recipients. The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between provision of various services and rehabilitation outcome. The services include: assessment, mental or physical restoration, college or university training, business or vocational training, adjustment training, on-the-job training, miscellaneous training, counseling or guidance that is substantial and directly related to the rehabilitation plan, job finding services, job placement, transportation, maintenance, and other services not classified above. The category of "other services" includes occupational tools and equipment, initial stocks and licenses, services to family members for the benefit of the individual, and medical care for acute conditions arising during rehabilitation and constituting a hazard to the determination of rehabilitation potential or to the achievement of the vocational objective.