One-year followup of Illinois state vocational rehabilitation clients with psychiatric disabilities following successful closure into community employment

Issue title: Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cook, Judith A.

Affiliations: Mental Health Services Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 104 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60603, USA. Tel.: +1 312 422 8180 X19; Fax: +1 312 422 0740; E-mail: cook@ripco.com

Abstract: Objective: To examine the one-year employment retention rate and nature of jobs held among clients with severe psychiatric disabilities working in the community at time of closure from the Illinois state vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, as well as factors associated with retention. Design: The sample included clients closed from the VR system while employed in the community during 10/91 through 1/93. A total of 315 individuals were recruited and followed for one year by study researchers, at which time they completed telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using chi square and multiple logistic regression techniques. Results: One year after closure, 71% of those who were employed in the community at the time of exiting state VR were still employed. Of those who were working, 63% were employed at the same positions held at closure. Conclusions: Findings from post-closure followup studies can be used to enhance long-term vocational outcomes for mental health consumers.

Keywords: one-year post-closure followup, state VR clients, psychiatric disabilities, job retention

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 25-32, 2003