BACKGROUND: Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a U.S. Department of Education federal demonstration grant in collaboration with Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Social Security Administration. Wisconsin PROMISE is one of six model demonstration sites. OBJECTIVE: Through state inter-agency collaboration, the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation implemented Wisconsin PROMISE coordinated services and supports to youth with disabilities receiving supplemental security income (SSI) benefits and their families to improve education and career and financial self-sufficiency outcomes. METHODS: Wisconsin PROMISE enrolled 2,024 youth with disabilities receiving SSI benefits and their families who were randomly assigned to usual services or PROMISE services. RESULTS: Early data indicates positive results regarding engagement, employment, and earnings outcomes. Wisconsin PROMISE youth employment rates went from 1% in 2013 to 67% in 2018, 10-percentage points higher than observed with the control group. CONCLUSION: An overview of early findings from the Wisconsin PROMISE project site related to VR engagement, employment, and earnings outcomes of youth and family participants provides lessons learned that can be applied to VR practice.
Life after high school for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) looks very different from the lives of their peers without disabilities (Aron & Loprest, 2012; Newman, Wagner, Cameto, Knokey, & Shaver, 2010). Disparities for youth with IDD exist in rates of postschool competitive employment (Gold, Fabian, & Luecking, 2013). For example, secondary analyses of data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) found that just 27.9% of young adults with significant intellectual disability, autism, and multiple disabilities were employed up to 2 years after leaving high school (Carter, Austin, & Trainor, 2012). Simonsen (2010) found that just 14.2% of young adults with IDD worked in integrated jobs with competitive wages. Early work experiences are also limited. In a study involving more than 130 high school students with IDD, only 16% had paid community employment, compared with the 66% employment rate of youth without disabilities in the same communities during the same time period (Carter et al., 2010). Thus, the challenge of equipping and supporting students with IDD for adult life and meaningful employment is a pressing issue for many communities. At the same time, federal legislation and public policies mandate that the education system implement changes to address poor postschool outcomes. Transition planning requirements added to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA), the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, and the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 all called for improved transition planning, career development opportunities, and greater levels of inclusion to advance outcomes (Mazzotti, Test, & Mustian, 2014). Increased impetus on the public education system to facilitate positive outcomes through community employment experiences and high 739406D PSXXX10.
BACKGROUND: Work incentive benefits counseling has been shown to be a promising practice in vocational rehabilitation and has had a demonstrated impact on positive employment outcomes for adults with disabilities (Wilhelm & McCormick 2013). OBJECTIVE: In this study, the Wisconsin Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) demonstration project implemented a new model of work incentive benefits counseling targeting transition-age youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits including their families. METHODS: PROMISE youth and families received work incentive benefits counseling through a consultative approach and impact on employment outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Preliminary results indicate that youth who received work incentives benefits counseling (N = 535) had significantly higher work activity and explored a greater number of job opportunities, than youth who did not receive benefits counseling (N = 476). Additionally, 81% of PROMISE treatment youth with earnings above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level had met with a benefits specialist at least once. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the growing evidence demonstrating that work incentives benefits counseling positively influences employment and earnings outcomes for low-income transition-age youth with disabilities. Youth and families preferred the consultation approach, providing information as needed and meeting families where they were at.
Technology has been shown to enhance daily activities, increase participation in individualized planning and supports, and accommodate the transition needs of students with disabilities. This study examined the benefits and challenges regarding technology use when providing transition services for youth and families receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Specifically, it explored the nuances of employing technology to encourage engagement in Wisconsin Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (WI PROMISE) services and foster communication between counselors and participants. This qualitative study used a constant comparative method for analyzing data collected through two focus groups of WI PROMISE counselors. Counselors identified technology as essential to maintaining contact with WI PROMISE participants as well as extant barriers including inconsistent access to the internet, financial expense, and insufficient training and support. Recommendations for using technology to communicate with transition-aged youth and their families will be discussed.
The experience of transitioning into adulthood is a critical phase in life. The navigation of government benefits adds further complexity that can affect employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. Some individuals hesitate to work out of fear to losing access to monetary, disability, and related health care benefits. However, using available work incentives while pursuing employment and career paths can provide opportunities to work and address poverty without forgoing needed services. The Wisconsin Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) research grant aimed to positively change youth readiness to work through the use of Motivational Interviewing, work incentive benefits counseling, financial capability building, shifting expectations, and help in navigating transition resources. To measure the impact on readiness to work, 126 transition-age youth receiving supplemental security income (SSI), 188 of their family members, and 411 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) counselors working with the youth and families completed a modified Stages of Change Scale survey. Results indicated that youths’ work readiness and positive feelings about work significantly increased from baseline to follow-up, along with an increase in employment rates. The implications of these findings highlight the utility of incorporating the stages of change theory into the design and implementation of services and supports to increase work readiness for youth with disabilities in transition.
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