Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | Martin, F., & Sevak, P. (2020). Implementation and impacts of the Substantial Gainful Activity Project demonstration in Kentucky. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 53 (3), 297-305. |
| Title: | Implementation and impacts of the Substantial Gainful Activity Project demonstration in Kentucky |
| Authors: | Martin, F., & Sevak, P. |
| Year: | 2020 |
| Journal/Publication: | Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Publisher: | IOS Press |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201106 |
| Full text: | https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabil... | PDF |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | Yes |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | The Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Project demonstration tested innovations to improve the employment of nonblind vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. |
| Purpose: | We describe the SGA Project model components, the implementation experience in Kentucky, and the impact of the innovations on VR service and employment outcomes. |
| Data collection and analysis: | The evaluation used information from site visits and VR administrative data. We estimated impacts by comparing the outcomes of SSDI-only clients who applied for services at randomly assigned offices that implemented the SGA Project innovations to those who applied at other offices. |
| Findings: | Participants did not consistently receive all components of the innovations. Nevertheless, the innovations led to a 17 percentage-point increase in clients with a signed individualized plan for employment within 30 days of application, an 8 percentage-point increase in closures with competitive employment, and nearly 6 percentage-point increase in the number of clients with earnings at or above the SGA level. |
| Conclusions: | The early, positive impacts on key outcomes suggest the SGA Project innovations could hold promise for other VR agencies and for a broader set of VR clients. The evaluation illustrates the potential for random assignment demonstrations to test innovations in VR service delivery. |
| Disabilities served: |
Autism / ASD Cognitive / intellectual impairment Developmental disabilities Multiple disabilities |
| Populations served: |
SSI and SSDI recipients |
| Interventions: |
Vocational rehabilitation |
| Outcomes: |
Employment acquisition Full-time employment Part-time employment |