Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study's objective was to examine the impact of Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE) services on employment.
- The study used a nonexperimental design to identify the ASPIRE services that predicted employment among employed and unemployed program participants. Using case management records, the authors conducted statistical models to compare the employment outcomes of the groups.
- The study found that receipt of case management services, gathering job specific information, and receipt of external guidance early in the intervention was significantly related to successful employment. Gathering job specific information late in the intervention was also significantly related to successful employment.
- This study receives a moderate evidence rating. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to ASPIRE services, but other factors might also have contributed.
Intervention Examined
Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE)
Features of the Intervention
The Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) was a program jointly created by the U.S. Department of Education, Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Labor to provide supports and services to youth with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in their transition to adulthood. The Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE), a demonstration program of PROMISE, was a consortium of six states. The program served youth (ages 14 to 16) with disabilities who were receiving SSI benefits. The cornerstone of ASPIRE was to provide intensive case management to youth and families. ASPIRE case management services aimed to support youth and their families in achieving goals related to independent living, education, and work. Case managers met with youth and families to connect them to career exploration services, work-based learning, educational services, benefits counseling, financial education, training and information on advocacy and community resources to help parents support their child’s educational and employment outcomes, and self determination to help youth understand their strengths.
Features of the Study
The study used a nonexperimental design to assess the impact of ASPIRE services on employment outcomes. The sample was selected from ASPIRE program participants in a previous randomized controlled trial. The study sample included participants who did not withdraw from the study and for whom the authors had complete data. Of the 876 participants, 366 were employed and 520 were not employed. Employed youth participants were primarily male (69%) and the largest proportion was age 16 (39%). Almost half of the sample was non-Hispanic White (46%) and had another type of disability (36%). Youth participants without employment were primarily male (63%) and the largest proportion was age 14 (47%). Over half the sample was non-Hispanic (White 36% and nonwhite 22%) and had another type of disability (30%).
Case management records served as the primary data source for the study. The authors conducted statistical models to examine if receipt of case management and career exploration activities predicted employment. Receipt of case management was defined as the number of face-to-face meetings with the case manager. Career exploration activities included receiving external guidance, gathering job specific information, and unpaid work experience. The authors also examined if the timing of the activities (early in the intervention or late) predicted employment.
Study Sites
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Utah
Findings
Employment
- The study found a significant relationship between higher rates of face-to-face meetings with a case manager early in the intervention and successful employment. However, no significant relationship was found late in the intervention.
- The study also found a significant relationship between receipt of external guidance early in the intervention and successful employment but no significant relationship was found late in the intervention.
- The study found a significant relationship between gathering job specific information and successful employment at both time points.
- The study did not find a significant relationship between unpaid work experience and employment at any time point.
Considerations for Interpreting the Findings
Due to the nature of data collected through case management engagement and the number of case managers providing the intervention (38), study authors noted that there was likely variation in how the services were delivered to participants.
Causal Evidence Rating
The quality of causal evidence presented in this report is moderate, because it was a well-implemented nonexperimental design. This means we are somewhat confident that the estimated effects are attributable to ASPIRE services, but other factors might also have contributed.