Study Details | Pathways to Work

5962.06-Study of U.S. Depart

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because the program was always provided in combination with another factor and the effect of the program cannot be disentangled from the effect of that other factor.

Program: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Transitional Work Experience (TWE) Followed by Typical Services for Competitively Employed Veterans (CE) (as compared with CE Only)

Characteristics of study participants:

Disability(ies), Homelessness, Mental health condition, Military veterans

Services provided:

Job placement, Job search assistance, Subsidized employment/transitional jobs

Setting: Tested in multiple settings

Methods and Standards Protocol version used for review: Version 1.0

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Study design

Design:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Therapeutic Employment Placement and Support (TEPS) demonstration, conducted from 2001 to 2005. The TEPS demonstration focused on veterans experiencing homelessness who (1) were not receiving Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health services, (2) expressed a desire to participate in competitive employment, and (3) were diagnosed with a psychiatric disability or substance use disorder. Cohort 1 of TEPS included 308 veterans who were offered standard VA services. Cohort 2 of TEPS included 322 veterans who were offered Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and standard VA services. The study uses data from 440 of the 630 veterans across the two cohorts. Veterans across both cohorts were assigned to five employment groups based on employment patterns in the six months after TEPS enrollment and included (1) 100 veterans not working at any time, (2) 96 veterans working only in TWE, (3) 30 veterans working in TWE followed by CE, (4) 58 veterans working in CE without IPS (Cohort 1 only), and (5) 156 veterans working in CE with IPS (Cohort 2 only). This study contrasts individuals who worked in TWE followed by CE (Group 3) with those who were employed only in CE (Group 4). Other study reviews examine the other contrasts.

Time period of study:

Individuals enrolled in the study between 2001 and 2003. (The final enrollment date is not provided, but the two-year TEPS follow-up concluded in 2005.) The study examines outcomes for six months after enrollment.

Pathways to Work only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Sex

Female	9%
Male	91%

Specific employment barriers

Had a disability	86%
Had a mental illness	95%
Were experiencing homelessness	100%
Were military veterans	100%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Program services:

The program group includes all individuals who worked in TWE during the six months after TEPS enrollment and who then engaged in competitive employment but were not referred to IPS during that time. TWE, part of the VA Compensated Work Therapy Program, helped participants develop work restoration plans and provided a real, rehabilitative work setting within the VA, other federal agencies, or private businesses in the community. After their participation in TWE, participants moved into CE, during which they could receive standard VA services (including the VA health care, education benefits, home loan assistance, disability compensation, and vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance). TWE participants received at least 30 hours per week of structured vocational rehabilitation activities and were assigned to therapeutic work placements for six months to one year. Participants also received case management to help them gain and enhance their employment skills and find and maintain competitive employment. Length of participation in TWE depended on participants’ vocational goals and needs but did not exceed one year, though once in CE, participants could receive standard VA services indefinitely.

Mandatory services:

None.

Comparison services:

The comparison group includes all individuals in Cohort 1 who worked in competitive employment during the six months after TEPS enrollment. CE participants were military veterans who found unsubsidized jobs in the competitive market on their own. They received the standard VA services, including VA health care, education benefits, home loan assistance, disability compensation, and vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance, but no specific employment-focused program. Veterans could receive the standard services indefinitely.

Study publications

Leddy, Meaghan, Elina Stefanovics,, and Robert Rosenheck (2014). Health and well-being of homeless veterans participating in transitional and supported employment: Six-month outcomes, Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 51(1): 161-174. Available at https://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2014/511/pdf/page161.pdf.

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Pathways to Work refers to programs by the names used in study reports or manuscripts. Some program names may use language that is not consistent with our style guide, preferences, or the terminology we use to describe populations.

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Study of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Transitional Work Experience (TWE) Followed by Typical Services for Competitively Employed Veterans (CE) (as compared with CE Only)