TY - JOUR
T1 - Incorporating individualized placement and support principles into vocational rehabilitation for formerly incarcerated veterans
AU - LePage, James P.
AU - Lewis, Avery A.
AU - Crawford, April M.
AU - Parish, Julie A.
AU - Ottomanelli, Lisa
AU - Washington, Edward L.
AU - Cipher, Daisha J.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/7/1
Y1 - 2016/7/1
N2 - Objective: This study evaluated the six-month outcomes of incorporating the principles of supported employment, specifically Individual Placement and Support (IPS), into the About Face program, an existing standardized group-based vocational program for previously incarcerated veterans. Methods: Participants (N=84) with a history of at least one felony conviction and a substance use disorder (88%) or mental illness or combination (59%) were recruited from a large urban veterans hospital. Veterans were randomly assigned to either the About Face program (AF) or to that program plus a modification of IPS (AF+IPS). Veterans were followed for six months. Employment outcomes, including timetoemployment, hoursworked, and incomeearned,were evaluated with survival analyses and nonparametric tests. Results: Rates of employment over the follow-up period were significantly higher for those receiving AF+IPS, with 21 of 46 (46%) finding employment, compared with only eight of 38 (21%) who received AF alone. As a group, those receiving AF+IPS worked more hours and earned more wages than those receiving AF alone. Conclusions: Incorporating many of the principles and techniques of IPS into an existing vocational program was associated with improved employment outcomes over the six-month follow-up period and should be considered a viable rehabilitation option when working with this vulnerable population.
AB - Objective: This study evaluated the six-month outcomes of incorporating the principles of supported employment, specifically Individual Placement and Support (IPS), into the About Face program, an existing standardized group-based vocational program for previously incarcerated veterans. Methods: Participants (N=84) with a history of at least one felony conviction and a substance use disorder (88%) or mental illness or combination (59%) were recruited from a large urban veterans hospital. Veterans were randomly assigned to either the About Face program (AF) or to that program plus a modification of IPS (AF+IPS). Veterans were followed for six months. Employment outcomes, including timetoemployment, hoursworked, and incomeearned,were evaluated with survival analyses and nonparametric tests. Results: Rates of employment over the follow-up period were significantly higher for those receiving AF+IPS, with 21 of 46 (46%) finding employment, compared with only eight of 38 (21%) who received AF alone. As a group, those receiving AF+IPS worked more hours and earned more wages than those receiving AF alone. Conclusions: Incorporating many of the principles and techniques of IPS into an existing vocational program was associated with improved employment outcomes over the six-month follow-up period and should be considered a viable rehabilitation option when working with this vulnerable population.
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U2 - 10.1176/appi.ps.201500058
DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.201500058
M3 - Article
C2 - 27032655
AN - SCOPUS:84989956463
SN - 1075-2730
VL - 67
SP - 735
EP - 742
JO - Psychiatric Services
JF - Psychiatric Services
IS - 7
ER -