Supporting Individuals with Complex Challenges to Employment

Two-Year Findings from the Evaluation of Breaking Barriers: An Individual Placement and Support

The San Diego-based Breaking Barriers program used the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to help connect people with disabilities to employment opportunities. Program offerings included career counseling, job search assistance, systematic job development with local employers, personalized benefits counseling, referrals to supportive services, and follow-along support after job placement. Findings from an evaluation of the program show that it increased earnings by almost $4,000 over a two-year follow-up period, helped people find employment more quickly than people with disabilities who did not participate in the program, and builds further evidence in favor of IPS as a successful model.
 
The Education and Work Experiences of PROMISE Youth 

This report provides context for the impact study of the PROMISE (Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income) program by describing the education and employment experiences of enrolled youth. The program supported youth with disabilities receiving SSI in the transition to adulthood through case management, benefits counseling, financial education, work-based learning experiences, and training and information. Researchers found that youth enrolled in PROMISE had similar job characteristics, work search activities, and perceived barriers to employment yet different rates of employment, and different job search and employment experiences than control group youth. Youth who were more inclined towards work than towards education might have been more likely to enroll in the program. 

Program Snapshot: Work Success

The Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies (NextGen) Project launched rigorous studies of innovative employment programs for people who face complex challenges to employment. This report provides snapshots of four innovative programs for people with challenges to employment, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and people with disabilities or mental health challenges. The snapshots describe key features to demonstrate how each program goes beyond traditional employment services and implements innovative, evidence-informed approaches such as group and one-on-one coaching, integrated employment and mental health services, and close partnerships with employers.

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• Posted by: Damon Jones
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies