Early findings from the Wisconsin PROMISE project: Implications for policy and practice

Abstract

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.

Demographic and Transition Service Predictors of Employment Outcomes for Youth Receiving Supplemental Security Income

“…Similarly, the implementation of several federal grant projects known as Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) served more males. This higher male participation was consistent with the gender differences of teenage youth receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI; Hartman et al, 2019; Selekman et al, 2018). Despite higher male participation rates, PROMISE evaluation has not yet indicated any differences in employment outcomes by gender (Hartman et al, 2019; Mamun et al, 2019).…”

“…Data were collected through the Wisconsin PROMISE federal research demonstration grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Participants were youth receiving SSI and were 14, 15, or 16 years old when they enrolled in the project between April 2014 and April 2016 (Hartman et al, 2019). A total of 2,024 participants enrolled in the Wisconsin PROMISE grant.…”

“…Wisconsin PROMISE was one of six research demonstration projects developed to assist youth between the ages of 14 and 16 receiving SSI in achieving their career and education goals (Hartman et al, 2019; Mamun et al, 2019; Selekman et al, 2018). All PROMISE sites were required to implement core program components, including formal agency-level partnerships, case management, benefits counseling and financial literacy training, career and work-based learning experiences, and parent training (Selekman et al, 2018).…”

“…Wisconsin PROMISE services included enrollment in Wisconsin’s VR program and assignment to a program counselor. As part of the youth’s Individual Plan for Employment (IPE), the counselor worked with the youth and family to develop a resource team, which often included someone from the youth’s school, thus allowing coordination of PROMISE, VR, and school transition services (Hartman et al, 2019; Selekman et al, 2018).…”

“…Initial analyses of Wisconsin PROMISE results demonstrated increased employment for youth in the Wisconsin PROMISE treatment services group (Hartman et al, 2019). Increased employment occurred across youth with disabilities, including those from historically minority backgrounds and from low income households.…”