Research Database: Article Details

Citation:  Ipsen, C.; Kurth, N.; McCormick, S.; Hall, J.; & Chambless, C. (2019). Engaging SSI youth and families with ASPIRE services. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 51 (2), 211-224.
Title:  Engaging SSI youth and families with ASPIRE services
Authors:  Ipsen, C.; Kurth, N.; McCormick, S.; Hall, J.; & Chambless, C.
Year:  2019
Journal/Publication:  Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Publisher:  IOS Press
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-191039
Full text:  https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabil...   
Peer-reviewed?  Yes
NIDILRR-funded?  Not reported

Structured abstract:

Background:  Youth with disabilities receiving SSI experience economic disparities across the lifespan. PROMISE demonstrations strived to overcome these disparities by offering an array of services to improve long-term economic outcomes. Unfortunately, people living at or near poverty often focus energies on meeting basic needs rather than engaging in future-oriented activities.
Purpose:  This paper explores engagement with PROMISE services at one demonstration site (called ASPIRE) as a predictor of intermediary employment outcomes.
Data collection and analysis:  Study 1 uses youth survey data at enrollment and 36-months to compare intermediary outcomes between ASPIRE control and intervention youth (n?=?1241). Study 2 uses participation data from case management records to construct a logistic regression to explore predictors of employment for ASPIRE intervention youth. Study 3 uses case management records about training participation to explore impacts of various ASPIRE engagement strategies.
Findings:  Study 1. There were few differences between intervention and control group participants in terms of self-determination, expectations, employment, and education 36-months after enrollment. Study 2. Intervention youth receiving higher rates of face-to-face case-management services (OR?=?1.181) and career exploration activities in year 2 (OR?=?1.516) and year 1 (OR?=?1.426) become employed at higher rates in year 3, relative to those receiving fewer services. Study 3. Engagement with ASPIRE services was low across the project. A large incentive in the final 7-months of the project resulted in an exponential increase in financial literacy training participation.
Conclusions:  Future demonstrations focused on SSI youth with disabilities should utilize incentives early in the project to promote engagement with case-management services and future-oriented training and activities.

Disabilities served:  Multiple disabilities
Populations served:  Transition-age youth (14 - 24)
SSI and SSDI recipients
Interventions:  Training and technical assistance
Vocational rehabilitation
Transition services
Outcomes:  Employment acquisition
Full-time employment