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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assist people in Kentucky at risk of leaving their jobs due to non-work-related injuries or illnesses. The study will explore how a program called RETAIN KY, which provides medical and job coordination services, can improve employment outcomes. Participants will receive either the full RETAIN intervention or a partial version to compare results. Ideal candidates have been employed in the past year, earned at least $1,000 in one of those months, and are not currently receiving federal disability benefits. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to research that could enhance job retention support for others in similar situations.

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 RETAIN KY program is safe for improving employment outcomes?

Previous studies have used RETAIN programs to help people stay at work or return to work after an injury or illness. These programs are not typical medical treatments; they focus on providing support and services to improve job outcomes. Since RETAIN KY is not a medical drug or procedure, it poses no risk of side effects or adverse events, unlike traditional treatments. Instead, the program offers strategies and support to help people maintain their jobs or find new ones after health challenges. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the RETAIN KY program because it's a fresh approach to improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Unlike traditional methods that might focus solely on skill-building or therapy, RETAIN KY offers a comprehensive set of intervention activities designed to integrate employment services seamlessly with healthcare support. This holistic approach aims to address not just the employment barriers but also the health challenges that can impact job retention. By combining these elements, RETAIN KY has the potential to significantly improve long-term employment success for participants.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving employment outcomes after injury or illness?

In this trial, participants will join one of two groups. The RETAIN Programming group, the experimental arm, will receive the full set of RETAIN intervention activities. A previous study showed that RETAIN projects help people with injuries or illnesses stay at work or return to work sooner. Research indicates that these programs improve job opportunities by offering personalized support and coordination services. In Kentucky, efforts like RETAIN aim to reduce the employment gap between people with and without disabilities. Reports highlight that these programs help individuals understand their rights and assist employers in understanding their responsibilities, leading to better job retention. Initial findings suggest that the benefits of RETAIN programs could outweigh the costs, making it a potentially effective approach for those at risk of leaving the workforce due to health issues. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jill Berk, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

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: 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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05173350

NCT05173350 | RETAIN Kentucky Impact Evaluation The evaluation team then compares the outcomes of the two groups and gathers evidence on how each RETAIN project shaped the outcomes of enrollees who were ...

2. research.uky.edu research.uky.edu/news/retain-kentucky-partners-focus-on-employment-opportunities-people-disabilities

RETAIN Kentucky, partners focus on employment ... Kentucky has one of the highest employment gaps in the U.S. between people with and without disabilities — ranking 48th in the nation. The 2023 ...

3. mathematica.org mathematica.org/-/media/publications/pdfs/disability/2021/retain_evaluation_design_rpt.pdf

Evaluation Design for the Retaining Employment and ... The RETAIN evaluation will generate evidence on states' ability to successfully implement early intervention strategies to improve employment ...

4. aptaky.org aptaky.org/_resources/documents/conference/2022/Presentations/Retaining-Employment-Talent-after-Injury-or-Illness-Network.pdf

RETAIN Assists both workers with disabilities & employers in understanding their protections & obligations under the law through policy development, outreach & ...

5. kcc.ky.gov kcc.ky.gov/Vocational-Rehabilitation/boards-and-councils/scvr/Documents/reports/2024-Kentucky-OVR-CSNA.pdf

2024 Kentucky OVR CSNA Report The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) assesses the vocational rehabilitation needs of ...

6. 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, ...