Vermont RETAIN for Disability

Overseen By Amaka Osuoha, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Untreated SUD, Out of work 12 weeks, Disability benefits, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

2040 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assist people in Vermont who have experienced an injury or illness affecting their ability to work. It tests methods to improve employment outcomes by offering special services to help individuals remain at work or return to work. Participants will either receive these services, part of the Vermont RETAIN program, or receive information about job resources and provider training. Individuals may be a good fit if they live or work in Vermont, have recently faced a limiting health issue, and are currently working or job hunting. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to access innovative support services that could enhance employment prospects.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the Vermont RETAIN program is safe?

Research has shown that the Vermont RETAIN program helps people return to work after an illness or injury. The program offers expert advice on working safely and provides access to helpful resources. The trial is marked as "Not Applicable" for its phase, indicating a focus on evaluating program strategies rather than testing new drugs or medical devices. As a result, there are no typical safety concerns like drug side effects. Designed to support people safely, the program is generally considered low-risk. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Vermont RETAIN because it offers a proactive approach to managing work disability. Unlike traditional methods that often focus on treatment after long-term unemployment has set in, RETAIN emphasizes early intervention. This program integrates employment services with healthcare, aiming to prevent disability-related job loss by identifying risks early and providing support before work disability becomes chronic. By bridging the gap between employment and health services, RETAIN has the potential to keep more people engaged in the workforce, reducing the impact of long-term unemployment.

What evidence suggests that the Vermont RETAIN program is effective for improving employment outcomes after injury or illness?

Research has shown that Vermont RETAIN aims to help people stay employed if they risk leaving their jobs due to injury or illness. In this trial, participants in the RETAIN Programming arm receive the full set of RETAIN intervention activities, which combine medical support with strategies to keep people working or help them return to work. Early results suggest that these supports can reduce the number of days people miss work and help prevent long-term unemployment. By focusing on early intervention, Vermont RETAIN seeks to prevent work-related disabilities from becoming long-term issues. The program's success is measured through various data collection methods to assess its impact. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jill Berk, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 in Vermont who have had a recent injury or illness that may affect their work. They must be currently employed or job-seeking and not out of work for more than 12 weeks. People already receiving disability benefits or those with untreated substance use disorders cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

My condition started or got worse in the last 6 months.

I have an injury or illness that may stop me from working.

Live or work in Vermont (or if out of work, lives in a border state and plan to work in Vermont)

Exclusion Criteria

I have been unable to work for over 12 weeks due to my condition.

Has received care of coordination services from RETAIN before

Has an active SUD that is currently untreated

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive RETAIN intervention activities, including medical provider services and SAW/RTW coordination services

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment outcomes and application for SSDI or SSI

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Vermont RETAIN

Trial Overview

The 'Vermont RETAIN' program is being tested to see if it helps people stay in the workforce after an injury or illness. It includes medical services, coordination to help participants keep working or return to work, and other related support services.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: RETAIN Programming Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The experimental group receives the full set of RETAIN intervention activities.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm receives information about American Job Center services and assistance with opening a JobLink account if an individual doesn't have one. Medical providers at all practices will receive training on how to identify early and then manage the risk of work disability to help prevent long-term unemployment

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

68

Recruited

31,130,000+

Social Security Administration

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

8,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The RETAIN Kentucky program, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, aims to help individuals with non-work-related injuries and illnesses return to work or stay employed, utilizing RTW Coordinators for support.

After nearly 3 years of Phase 1, the program is transitioning to Phase 2, which will last 30 months and build on the insights gained to improve employment retention strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

RETAIN Kentucky: A return-to-work and stay-at-work program for people with disabilities grounded in the conservation of resources theory. Rumrill, P., Sheppard-Jones, K., Collett, JW., et al.[2022]

A focus group study in Vermont identified significant challenges faced by young people in the workers' compensation (WC) system, including difficulties in navigation and poor communication among stakeholders.

Addressing these unmet needs can lead to the development of targeted interventions that may help reduce long-term work disability and improve return-to-work outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Determining Unmet Needs Among Workers' Compensation Stakeholders to Prevent Work Disability in the State of Vermont. Peterik, K., Kennedy, D., Bentley, MH., et al.[2023]

Individuals with psychiatric disabilities who received specialized benefits counseling showed a significant increase in their earnings, averaging an additional $1,256 per year compared to control groups over a four-year period.

The study highlights the effectiveness of benefits counseling in improving competitive employment outcomes for Social Security Administration disability beneficiaries, suggesting it is a valuable support service for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of benefits counseling services on employment outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities. Tremblay, T., Smith, J., Xie, H., et al.[2020]

A study of 1,484 individuals in supported employment programs revealed that job retention is influenced by various factors, including vocational skills, behavioral traits, economic conditions, and external circumstances.

Different strategies, such as compensatory techniques, self-management, and support from co-workers, are being explored to help individuals overcome behavioral challenges and improve their chances of keeping a job.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of behavioral deficits on employment retention: an illustration from supported employment. Kregel, J., Parent, W., West, M.[2014]

The study presents a new framework for analyzing how health service spending and utilization in work disability management varies across different regions and settings, emphasizing the importance of high-quality healthcare access for effective disability management.

By identifying predisposing, enabling, workplace environment, and need-based factors, the framework aims to help researchers and policymakers understand and improve health care delivery within work disability management systems, particularly in Canada.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Framework for Understanding How Variation in Health Care Service Delivery Affects Work Disability Management. Sharpe, K., McGrail, K., Mustard, C., et al.[2022]

The study involves 119 unemployed U.S. military veterans with mental health conditions, comparing the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services to traditional vocational rehabilitation (TAU-VR) over a 12-month period.

The trial aims to assess the impact of IPS on achieving steady employment (defined as holding a competitive job for at least 26 weeks) within a primary care setting, highlighting the need for tailored employment services for veterans.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The methods and baseline characteristics of a VA randomized controlled study evaluating supported employment provided in primary care patient aligned care teams. Davis, LL., Blansett, CM., Mumba, MN., et al.[2022]

The articles highlight the potential for early intervention strategies to help workers with medical conditions avoid prolonged work disability, based on analyses of disability claims data and case studies from 50 employers.

By improving systems to identify and support these workers promptly, stakeholders can significantly influence their job retention and overall outcomes, suggesting a need for evidence-based interventions in the workplace.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Early Intervention to Avoid Prolonged Work Disability: Introduction to the Special Section. Ben-Shalom, Y., Schimmel Hyde, J.[2019]

A study conducted in Rhineland-Palatinate from 1997 to 1999 revealed that disability negatively impacts the career progression of severely disabled employees, highlighting a gap in effective support measures.

The research indicates that existing support instruments under the German Severely Disabled Persons Act are insufficient, suggesting that both employers and disabled employees require alternative support strategies for better job retention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Severely disabled employees and their experiences with corporate policies concerning job retention. Selected results of an empirical study]. Bahlke, S.[2006]

A systematic review of 88 studies revealed that 74% of employment interventions in healthcare settings successfully helped individuals, primarily those with mental illness, gain employment.

Successful interventions shared five key features: a multidisciplinary team approach, a comprehensive package of services, tailored one-on-one support, a holistic view of health needs, and proactive engagement with employers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employment Interventions in Health Settings: A Systematic Review and Synthesis. Pinto, AD., Hassen, N., Craig-Neil, A.[2019]

Citations

1.

labor.vermont.gov

labor.vermont.gov/vt-retain

VT RETAIN - Vermont Department of Labor

At VT RETAIN, we provide support to people who live or work in Vermont and are at risk of work disability to reduce or eliminate the number of days that person ...

2.

ssa.gov

ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/retain.htm

Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness ...

The RETAIN evaluation is a mixed-methods demonstration and both qualitative (ie, in-depth interview data) and quantitative data (ie, baseline intake surveys)

3.

dol.gov

dol.gov/resource-library/retaining-employment-and-talent-after-injuryillness-network-retain-impact

Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness ...

The RETAIN demonstration project is designed to test early intervention Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work (SAW/RTW) strategies to improve labor force participation, ...

4.

labor.vermont.gov

labor.vermont.gov/vt-retain/about

About RETAIN - Vermont Department of Labor

The VT RETAIN study aims to reduce the negative impact work-disability could have on a person's life by studying the effects that direct support can have.

5.

dartmouth-hitchcock.org

dartmouth-hitchcock.org/research/search-clinical-trials/trial/STUDY02000885

Vermont Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness ...

RETAIN projects include a combination of medical provider services, stay-at-work/return-to-work (SAW/RTW) coordination services, and other SAW/RTW services.