RETAIN KY Program for Disability Employment Outcomes

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Unemployed, Federal disability benefits, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 12 months

3200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) demonstration is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve employment outcomes for individuals who experience injuries or illnesses that put them at risk of exiting the labor force and relying on disability programs and other public supports in the long term. RETAIN projects include a combination of medical provider services, stay-at-work/return-to-work (SAW/RTW) coordination services, and other SAW/RTW services. This evaluation will focus on The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's implementation of "RETAIN KY" statewide. The evaluation will document how the project is implemented, describe enrollees, estimate the project's impacts on enrollees' outcomes, and assess whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the RETAIN KY treatment for disability employment outcomes?

The research on vocational rehabilitation programs and supported employment approaches shows that these strategies can improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, such as those with brain injuries or chronic pain. These programs often lead to fewer delays, increased worker choice, and higher job retention rates, suggesting that similar components in the RETAIN KY treatment could be effective. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the RETAIN KY Program for Disability Employment Outcomes safe for humans?

The available research does not provide specific safety data for the RETAIN KY Program or related interventions like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or mHealth Mindfulness Therapy. However, mindfulness practices are generally considered safe for most people. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the RETAIN KY treatment differ from other treatments for disability employment outcomes?

RETAIN KY is unique because it focuses on helping people with disabilities stay in or return to work through personalized support from Return-to-Work Coordinators, rather than using medical or pharmaceutical interventions. This program is designed to address employment retention by providing tailored strategies and support, which is different from traditional treatments that may not focus on employment outcomes. ^{6 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Jill Berk, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Eligibility Criteria

The RETAIN Kentucky Impact Evaluation is for people living in Kentucky who have had a job within the last year and earned at least $1,000 in one month. It's aimed at those with non-work-related illnesses or injuries that might cause them to leave the workforce. Participants should not be receiving federal disability benefits like SSDI and SSI.

Inclusion Criteria

I have worked and earned at least $1,000 in one month within the last year.

Individuals who reside in Kentucky

Individuals who are at risk of exiting the workforce due to non-work-related illness or injury

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals who have not made at least $1,000 in the past 12 months

Individuals who do not have a non-work-related illness or injury that puts them at risk of exiting the workforce

Individuals who are unemployed or have not been employed within the last 12 months

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive the full set of 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 benefits

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Active Comparator
• RETAIN KY

Trial Overview This trial tests 'RETAIN KY', which includes medical services, coordination for staying at work or returning after illness/injury (SAW/RTW), and other related support services. The study will assess how well these interventions help individuals stay employed versus usual practices.

Participant Groups

Group I: RETAIN Programming Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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

Group II: Active Comparator Active Control 1 Intervention

The active comparator group does not receive the full set of RETAIN intervention activities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

68

Recruited

31,130,000+

Social Security Administration, The United States

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

3,200+

Findings from Research

The Vocational Improvement Project, a 5.5-year pilot program in Washington State, successfully reduced repeat referrals and delays in vocational rehabilitation for injured workers, while also increasing worker choice and establishing partnerships to enhance outcomes.

Despite these improvements, challenges remain, as retraining plan completion rates are below 60% and only half of the workers earned wages within two years after completing their plans, indicating a need for further enhancements in the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving vocational rehabilitation services for injured workers in Washington State. Sears, JM., Wickizer, TM., Schulman, BA.[2022]

Patients in a hospital-based pain treatment program showed significant improvements, including reduced use of analgesics and fewer hospitalizations and surgeries, compared to those denied treatment by their workers' compensation insurance.

The study, which followed 63 treated patients and 37 untreated patients over 18 months, found that those who received pain treatment were more likely to return to work, highlighting the clinical and cost-effectiveness of such programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pain clinic #13. Comprehensive pain center treatment of low back workers' compensation injuries. An industrial medicine clinical outcome follow-up comparison. Tollison, CD., Kriegel, ML., Satterthwaite, JR., et al.[2011]

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]

In Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance program, claimants who received partial return-to-work (PRTW) benefits earned more and had shorter benefit durations compared to those who did not opt for PRTW, indicating that early intervention can enhance workforce participation.

Certain claimant characteristics, such as diagnosis and healthcare provider specialty, were linked to longer benefit durations, suggesting that targeted vocational rehabilitation services could help these individuals return to work more effectively and reduce reliance on long-term benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefit Duration and Return to Work Outcomes in Short Term Disability Insurance Programs: Evidence from Temporary Disability Insurance Program. Bourbonniere, AM., Mann, DR.[2019]

In California, 22.2% of State Disability Insurance (SDI) claims and 33.7% of Workers' Compensation (WC) claims last longer than 6 months, indicating a significant portion of claimants may be at risk of long-term disability.

The study suggests that understanding the characteristics of these claims can help predict which individuals are likely to remain disabled for at least 12 months, highlighting the need for early intervention services to improve outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early Identification of Potential SSDI Entrants in California: The Predictive Value of State Disability Insurance and Workers' Compensation Claims. Neuhauser, F., Ben-Shalom, Y., Stapleton, D.[2019]

A conference with 26 international researchers focused on improving research into employer strategies for managing workplace disability, highlighting the need for innovative interventions and better measurement of disability outcomes.

Six key research domains were identified for future studies, including understanding workplace factors that mitigate disability, developing interventions, and ensuring diverse representation of workers and employers in research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employer Policies and Practices to Manage and Prevent Disability: Foreword to the Special Issue. Shaw, WS., Main, CJ., Pransky, G., et al.[2022]

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]

Supported employment is effective in helping 278 severely disabled individuals, including those with chronic mental illness and traumatic brain injury, to find and keep jobs in competitive industries.

The study revealed differences in outcomes based on disability type, such as variations in wages and job retention, providing a baseline for future evaluations of supported employment programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supported employment: an alternative model for vocational rehabilitation of persons with severe neurologic, psychiatric, or physical disability. Wehman, PH., Revell, WG., Kregel, J., et al.[2018]

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving vocational rehabilitation services for injured workers in Washington State. [2022]

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

A medical/vocational case coordination system for persons with brain injury: an evaluation of employment outcomes. [2019]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of an Innovative Case Management Strategy to Improve Rehabilitation Coverage for People at High Risk of Permanent Work Disability: a Feasibility Study. [2023]

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

Pain clinic #13. Comprehensive pain center treatment of low back workers' compensation injuries. An industrial medicine clinical outcome follow-up comparison. [2011]

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

Return to work for persons with traumatic brain injury: a supported employment approach. [2006]

6. Netherlands 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. [2022]

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

Benefit Duration and Return to Work Outcomes in Short Term Disability Insurance Programs: Evidence from Temporary Disability Insurance Program. [2019]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early Identification of Potential SSDI Entrants in California: The Predictive Value of State Disability Insurance and Workers' Compensation Claims. [2019]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Employer Policies and Practices to Manage and Prevent Disability: Foreword to the Special Issue. [2022]

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

Enrollment in the Supported Employment Demonstration: An Employment Intervention for Denied Disability Benefits Applicants with a Mental Impairment. [2023]

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

Employment retention and career movement among individuals with mental retardation working in supported employment. [2011]

12. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of behavioral deficits on employment retention: an illustration from supported employment. [2014]

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

Supported employment: an alternative model for vocational rehabilitation of persons with severe neurologic, psychiatric, or physical disability. [2018]

14. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Early Intervention to Avoid Prolonged Work Disability: Introduction to the Special Section. [2019]