A Longitudinal Study of A Longitudinal Study of the the

VR Services ProgramVR Services Program

A Longitudinal Study of A Longitudinal Study of the the

VR Services ProgramVR Services ProgramRobert H. PasternackRobert H. Pasternack

Assistant SecretaryAssistant SecretaryOffice of Special Education and Office of Special Education and

Rehabilitative ServicesRehabilitative Services

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Contents of Contents of PresentationPresentation

Overview of the study’s purposes, design, Overview of the study’s purposes, design, and coverageand coverage

Findings on employment outcomesFindings on employment outcomes

Examples of policy issues the study has Examples of policy issues the study has addressedaddressed

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Study QuestionsStudy Questions

What short- and long-term outcomes do VR What short- and long-term outcomes do VR consumers achieve as a result of VR consumers achieve as a result of VR services?services?

What characteristics of individuals with What characteristics of individuals with disabilities affect theirdisabilities affect their

1.1. access to and receipt of VR services and access to and receipt of VR services and

2.2. short- and long-term outcomes?short- and long-term outcomes?

Does receipt of specific VR services Does receipt of specific VR services contribute to successful outcomes?contribute to successful outcomes?

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Study QuestionsStudy Questions

How do local environmental factors influence How do local environmental factors influence VR consumers’ services and outcomes?VR consumers’ services and outcomes?

How do the operations, resources, and How do the operations, resources, and organizational climate of VR agencies organizational climate of VR agencies influence consumers’ services and outcomes?influence consumers’ services and outcomes?

What are the results of the VR program?What are the results of the VR program?

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Overview of DesignOverview of Design

Nationally representative sample of VR Nationally representative sample of VR applicants and consumersapplicants and consumers

Two-stage sample:Two-stage sample:

40 local VR offices selected proportional to the size 40 local VR offices selected proportional to the size of the consumer populationof the consumer population

8,500 sample members8,500 sample members

Data collection periodData collection period

December 1994 through December 1999December 1994 through December 1999

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Location of Participating Location of Participating OfficesOffices

Participating VR officesParticipating VR offices

Ž

ŽŽ

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

ŽŽŽ

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž

ŽŽ

Ž

Ž

Ž

Ž Ž Ž

Ž

ŽŽ

Ž

ŽŽ

Ž

Ž

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Findings on Findings on Employment OutcomesEmployment Outcomes

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What Helps to Improve What Helps to Improve Consumer OutcomesConsumer Outcomes

Knowledge of the world of workKnowledge of the world of work

Employment development servicesEmployment development services

Educational servicesEducational services

Mobility-related servicesMobility-related services

Miscellaneous support servicesMiscellaneous support services

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Knowledge of Knowledge of the World of Workthe World of Work

Knowledge of specific jobsKnowledge of specific jobs

Knowledge of different jobsKnowledge of different jobs

Knowledge of the non-monetary benefits of Knowledge of the non-monetary benefits of jobsjobs

Interest in career advancementInterest in career advancement

Job-related information gathering skillsJob-related information gathering skills

High self-esteemHigh self-esteem

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Employment Employment Development ServicesDevelopment Services

Job placement Job placement

On-the-job trainingOn-the-job training

Work adjustmentWork adjustment

For some consumers:For some consumers:

Supported employmentSupported employment

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Educational ServicesEducational Services

Business/vocational trainingBusiness/vocational training

2-year community college2-year community college

4-year college/university4-year college/university

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Mobility-Related Mobility-Related ServicesServices

Assistive technology devices and servicesAssistive technology devices and services

Driver training and licensingDriver training and licensing

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Support ServicesSupport Services

Tools, equipment, and uniformsTools, equipment, and uniforms

MaintenanceMaintenance

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Retention of Retention of Employment & EarningsEmployment & Earnings

Persons exiting VR into competitive Persons exiting VR into competitive employmentemployment

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Retention of Retention of EmploymentEmployment

84%

81%

78%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

1 Year Later 2 Years Later 3 Years Later

Percentage Still Working

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Hours Worked per WeekHours Worked per Week

40 40 40 40

34.6

35.936.4

35.9

30

35

40

Hou

rs W

orke

d

At Closure 1 Year Later 2 Years Later 3 Years Later

Changes in Hours Worked

Mean Median

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Hourly WagesHourly Wages

$7.63

$8.43

$9.26

$10.06

$6.30

$7.00

$7.79$8.00

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

$10

$11

At Closure One Year Later Two Years Later Three Years Later

Mean Median

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Earnings Relative to Earnings Relative to the Federal Poverty the Federal Poverty LevelLevel

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Health Insurance Health Insurance Through the JobThrough the Job

38.2%

47%

54%

59%

30%

40%

50%

60%

At Closure One Year Later Two Years Later Three Years Later

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Job Satisfaction: Job Satisfaction: Earnings & BenefitsEarnings & Benefits

67.4%68.2%

73.4%

60.9%

65.2%

68.9%

55%

60%

65%

70%

75%

12-Month 24-Month 36-Month

Follow-up

Earnings Fringe Benefits

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Job Satisfaction: Job Satisfaction: Advancement & Advancement & IntegrationIntegration

87.1% 88.3%90.5%

65.7% 64.9%67.8%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

12-Month 24-Month 36-Month

Follow-up

Advancement Opportunities Integration in the Workplace

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Job Satisfaction: Job Satisfaction: Employer SupportEmployer Support

84.7% 84.7%

90.5%

80%

90%

100%

12-Month 24-Month 36-Month

Follow-up

Employer Support

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The Study’s Policy The Study’s Policy ImplicationsImplications

Educational achievementEducational achievementDemonstration program on Demonstration program on literacy developmentliteracy development

Higher educationHigher educationInitiative Initiative to support increased to support increased access to college under access to college under considerationconsideration

Job-related knowledgeJob-related knowledgeNew service models under New service models under consideration consideration

Self-esteem/self-efficacySelf-esteem/self-efficacyNew service models under New service models under considerationconsideration