Study Details | Pathways to Work

5962.04-Effectiveness of Ind

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a quasi-experimental design that does not demonstrate that the intervention and comparison groups were sufficiently similar before the intervention.

Intervention: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Services [as compared with Transitional Work Experience (TWE) followed by Typical Services for Competitively Employed Veterans (CE)]

Population and employment barriers: Homelessness, Military veteran

Setting: Tested in multiple settings

Study Design

Design:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Therapeutic Employment Placement and Support (TEPS) demonstration, conducted from 2001 to 2005. The TEPS demonstration focused on homeless veterans that (1) were not receiving VA health services, (2) expressed a desire to participate in competitive employment, and (3) were diagnosed with a psychiatric disability or substance use problem. Cohort 1 of TEPS included 308 veterans who were offered standard VA services, including the TWE. IPS was not available to this cohort. Cohort 2 of TEPS included 322 veterans who were offered IPS and standard VA services, including the TWE. In this study, the authors combined data from the two cohorts and assigned individuals to five employment groups with a total sample size of 440. The groups were based off employment patterns in the six months after TEPS enrollment and included (1) 100 veterans not working at any time, (2) 96 veterans working only in the TWE, (3) 30 veterans working in the TWE followed by competitive employment, (4) 58 veterans working in competitive employment without IPS (Cohort 1 only), and (5) 156 veterans working in competitive employment with IPS (Cohort 2 only). This study compares individuals who worked in competitive employment and received an IPS referral (Group 5) with those who were first employed in the TWE and then in competitive employment, with or without IPS (Group 3). Nine other study reviews examine the other contrasts.

Time period of study:

Individuals enrolled in the study between 2001 and 2003. (The final enrollment date is not available, but the two-year TEPS follow-up concluded in 2005.) The study examines outcomes for six months after enrollment.

Pathways only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample Characteristics

Specific employment barriers

Were homeless	100%
Were military veterans	100%

Intervention Implementation

Implementing organization:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Intervention services:

The intervention group includes individuals recruited into the study during the period after the VA medical centers included in the evaluation had hired and trained employment specialists to provide IPS (the Phase 2 cohort) and who were employed during the six months after TEPS enrollment, received an IPS referral, and did not work in the TWE. The IPS services emphasized inclusion of all those interested in work experience, rapid job placement, competitive employment, ongoing support, and integration of vocational support and health care. Intervention group members could also access standard VA services, including the TWE.

Mandatory services:

None.

Comparison services:

The comparison group includes study participants in the TEPS demonstration. Individuals who enrolled in TEPS in Cohort 1 were offered standard care from the VA, including the TWE. Individuals who enrolled in TEPS in Cohort 2 were offered standard VA services, including the TWE and IPS. The comparison group for this review includes all individuals in Cohorts 1 and 2 who received the TWE and then entered competitive employment (with or without IPS) during the six months after TEPS enrollment.

Study Publications

Leddy, Meaghan, Elina Stefanovics,, and Robert Rosenheck (2014). Health and well-being of homeless veterans participating in transitional and supported employment: Six-month outcomes, Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 51(1): 161-174. Available at https://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2014/511/pdf/page161.pdf.

View the glossary for more information about these and other terms used on this page.

Study of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Services [as compared with Transitional Work Experience (TWE) followed by Typical Services for Competitively Employed Veterans (CE)]