Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine the impact of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services on employment and earnings outcomes for youth with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder.
- The study used statistical models to investigate the effects VR services on competitive employment, weekly hours worked, and weekly income. The authors obtained data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Service Administration Case Service Report.
- The study found six VR services were significant predictors of gaining competitive employment, while three VR services were significant predictors of not gaining competitive employment. The study found seven VR services were significant predictors of more weekly hours worked, while one VR service was a significant predictor of fewer weekly hours worked. Five VR services were significant predictors of higher weekly earnings and one VR service was a significant predictor of lower weekly earnings.
- This study receives a moderate evidence rating. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to the State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation program.
Intervention Examined
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services
Features of the Intervention
The State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program (SFVR) is managed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. SFVR oversees the provision of employment support services for individuals with disabilities. Individuals enrolled into SFBR received vocational counseling, training, job search assistance, job placement support, on-the-job support, and referrals for specialized services. The targeted individuals for the study included individuals aged 16 to 26 who had co-occurring mental illness such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia with substance use disorder.
Features of the Study
The study used statistical models to examine the effects of vocational rehabilitation service types on competitive employment, weekly work hours, and weekly income. The study used a sample of 4,298 individuals from a national data set from the SFVR program. Sample data were obtained from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report. Data were obtained for fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015. The study sample was mostly White (68.8%), male (66.3%), and had a mild to significant disability (67.3%). The average age of the sample was 22 years and almost half had a high school diploma (49.7%).
Findings
Employment
- The study found that six VR services were significant predictors of gaining competitive employment: assessment services, occupational/vocational services, job search assistance services, job placement assistance services, on-the-job support services, and maintenance services. However, three VR services were significantly related to not gaining competitive employment: guidance and counseling services, supported employment services, and transportation services.
- The study found that assessment services, occupational/vocational training, college training, job search assistance, job placement assistance services, on-the-job support services, and maintenance services were significant predictors of more weekly hours worked. However, supported employment was a significant predictor of fewer weekly hours worked.
Earnings and wages
- The study found that five VR services were significant predictors of higher weekly earnings: diagnosis/treatment services, occupational/vocational training, job placement assistance, on-the-job supports, and maintenance services. Supported employment was a significant predictor of lower weekly earnings.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
In examining this youth population of co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder, study authors noted that they did not consider variables such as family supports, social skills, and socio-economic status which may have affected study outcomes. Study authors also acknowledge that participants had various forms of vocational rehabilitation service delivery which should also be considered when interpreting study findings.
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of the causal evidence presented in this report is moderate because it was based on a well-implemented nonexperimental design. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to the State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, but other factors might also have contributed.