SEEKS Program for Employment in Disabled Individuals

(SEEKS Trial)

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Communication Institute International, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Not working with centers, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 2 years

190 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

There is a myth that if a person is applying for SSI/SSDI he cannot seek employment. This goal of this research is to learn if a new model of service can lead to employment, increase in gross wages, and a decrease in social isolation for persons with disabilities who work with Centers for Independent Living on applying for SSI/SSDI benefits. The researchers want to compare the services these centers typically offer these consumers to a new model - a team trained in (1) the SOAR model for SSI/SSDI application assistance, (2) certified benefits planning training, (3) customized employment training, and (4) individual employment placement services.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the SEEKS Program for Employment in Disabled Individuals treatment?

The research on occupational therapy in complex patients shows that patient-centered, interprofessional therapy can improve social participation, which might suggest similar benefits for the SEEKS Program. Additionally, restructuring rehabilitation programs has been shown to maintain patient progress while improving efficiency, indicating that organizational changes in rehabilitation can lead to positive outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the SEEKS Program for Employment in Disabled Individuals treatment differ from other treatments for this condition?

The SEEKS Program is unique because it focuses on person-centered career plans and combines supported employment with on-the-job assistive technology training, which helps individuals with severe physical disabilities find and maintain competitive employment. This approach is distinct from traditional vocational services by emphasizing individualized support and technology integration to enhance job opportunities for disabled individuals. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-60 with disabilities, as defined by federal guidelines, who are working with a Colorado Independent Living Center to apply for SSI/SSDI benefits and agree to work with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Participants must be their own legal guardian and agree to provide data every six months.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 60 years old.

Have a disability (as defined by the Centers for Independent Living federal reporting guidelines)

Be a consumer working with a Colorado Independent Living Center to apply for SSI/SSDI

Exclusion Criteria

I do not agree to provide updates every 6 months.

Does not work with the Centers for Independent Living

Not own legal guardian

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training and Intervention

CIL staff are trained in SOAR, Customized Employment, Supported Employments, and Benefits Planning (CWIC) to work with participants

6 months

Treatment

Participants receive services from trained CIL staff, including employment support and benefits counseling

2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment status, income changes, and social connections

6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Center for Independent Living SEEKS Team

Trial Overview The study is testing whether a new service model can help people with disabilities secure employment, increase earnings, and reduce social isolation compared to usual care. The new model includes SOAR training for benefit applications, certified benefits planning, customized employment training, and individual job placement services.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Center for Independent Living (CIL) consumers randomized to work with a group of CIL employees who received training in SOAR, Customized Employment, Supported Employments, and Benefits Planning (CWIC).

Group II: Business as Usual Arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Consumers will usual care

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Communication Institute International, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

190+

Colorado School of Public Health

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

32,300+

University of Colorado, Denver

Collaborator

Trials

1,842

Recruited

3,028,000+

Findings from Research

A new toolkit of eight measurement instruments was developed to assess various aspects of functioning and activity performance in older adults, covering areas like mobility, daily living activities, and social functioning.

The toolkit was well-received by 22 older adult participants, who completed the assessments in two sessions, indicating its feasibility for use in clinical and research settings, although some measures, like social functioning, showed a ceiling effect that may limit their effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assembling a toolkit to measure geriatric rehabilitation outcomes. Demers, L., Desrosiers, J., Ska, B., et al.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Commentary on the comparative effectiveness of alternative settings for joint replacement rehabilitation. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Occupational therapy in rehabilitation of complex patients: protocol for a superiority randomized controlled trial. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assembling a toolkit to measure geriatric rehabilitation outcomes. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The utility of external performance measurement tools in program evaluation. [2019]

5. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Restructuring a rehabilitation program for older adults: effects on patient outcomes and staff perspectives. [2013]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community conversations on independent living: understanding the perspectives and support needs of persons with disabilities living in the southeast United States. [2022]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vocational outcomes for persons with severe physical disabilities: Design and implementation of workplace supports. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Final priority; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research--Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Final priority. [2014]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Case management and supported employment: a good fit. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An international overview of resource centers on disability. [2019]