Wages

Data was collected on a number of variables using the RSA 911 database. This included: disability, wages earned, hours worked, and cost of services. Vocational rehabilitation counselors are required to keep this type of documentation. The rate of employment was determined by dividing the number of individuals who had their case closed due to an employment outcome by the total number of job seekers in that group.

A survey was sent to the adult service providers of 166 people who were included in the Illinois Supported Employment Projects database. The survey include questions related to: worker characteristics, Job coach/Co-worker involvement, Benefit-cost analysis, and Job separation. Dependent variables included: cost efficiency, length of employment, job retention, hours worked per month, gross pay, IQ,level of mental retardation, gender, ethnicity, age and number of disabilities. The independent variable was collected by the coworker Involvement Instrument that assesses the Involvement of coworkers in training supported employees. There was no control. Four analysis took place. The first compared employment outcomes to the degree of coworker Involvement. The second compared the supported employee demographics to the degree of coworker Involvement. Both of these analysis were repeated using data from 1990 and 1994. In addition, an analysis of variance were performed for the nominal-scale variables and Pearsonian correlation coefficients were generated for continuous scale variables.

To determine whether there were any differences between the IPS and vocational service patient groups, a between-group analysis was conducted to compare the 2 on each clinical and social functioning variable at T3, along with whether they had been hospitalized during or were in remission for the last 6 months of the study. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the 2 groups in terms of the clinical and social functioning variables at T3 while controlling for the baseline level of the respective measure. Logistic regression was used to analyze the hospitalization and remission variables, controlling for the number of previous lifetime admissions and being in remission for the first 6 months of the study, respectively. These analyses were then repeated for those patients who had worked only. To determine the impact of having worked at any point during the 18-month follow-up period, patients who worked for at least one day (the study‚ primary outcome) were compared with those who did not in terms of each clinical and social functioning variable, along with whether they had been hospitalized during the final 6 months of the study and were in remission for the final 6 months. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the 2 groups (worked/not worked) in terms of the clinical and social functioning variables at T3, while controlling for the baseline level of the respective measure. Logistic regression was used to analyze the hospitalization and remission variables, controlling for the number of previous lifetime admissions and being in remission for the first 6 months of the study, respectively.

A number of variables were examined in the study. This included: successful employment outcome, hours worked and wages and the cost of services. Data was pulled for all of the United States. Washington DC and US territories were excluded. Data from each state and year was reported for each study question. In order to identify trends data from 2002 to 2006 was compared to 2007 to 2011 and regression analysis was used to evaluate the data. Mean data for the total transition population served by VR was compared to the ASD group and t test statistics were used to compare outcomes between the two groups.

The service had a comprehensive business information system that tracked all clients throughout the contract. Records of clients(n=49) aged 16–25 years were retrospectively examined. Data analysis was conducted by the team leader using Microsoft Excel 2003, guided by the outcome variables identified from published reports of comparable services. The comprehensive data management system enabled most variables of interest to be reported. Data quality was governed by the contract that required 100% accuracy and supporting evidence for all employment outcomes. All client records were reviewed monthly by an employment specialist, an administrator and by the team leader for the term of the contract. The records were also subject to regular internal review and intensive external auditing as a condition of the contract.

The data consisted of service records maintained by Community Work Services during the course of services. Additional information was collected from interviews with participants, family members, employers, and others.

A Rapid evidence assessment provides an overview of existing research on a specific research topic, as well as a simple extraction and synthesis of the relevant data. The methods used to search for and appraise the research are systematic and rigorous, but the depth of the search is limited by the development of search terms and breadth of resources searched. This type of assessment is particularly useful to quickly gather existing evidence in a research area and determine what future research needs to be done.
Data regarding employment rates and job tenure were extracted directly from the papers. Odds ratios were calculated where possible using data on participants employed/not employed per experimental group in each study. Where necessary, authors were contacted for further clarification or information.

Employment data was collected on participants, including wages and job tenure was collected.

Both vocational and non-vocational outcomes were measured in this study. Vocational outcomes include competitive employment rates, time to first job, total days employed, and total earnings. Non-vocational outcomes include self-perceived quality of life. Major assessments were conducted at baseline and at six and 18 month follow up points by the employment specialist.