Ongoing Research on the Return on Investment in State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

Purpose

The current project is updating and simplifying VR-ROI models that help VR agencies provide efficient and effective services to persons with disabilities. VR agencies are called to invest time and energy to understand the factors that predict sustained employment outcomes.

Our proposed updated and simplified models will provide guidance about the mix of services that provide superior outcomes and enable VR agencies to examine data across subgroups (i.e., race, geography).

This project continues efforts of two prior NIDILRR grants awarded to the University of Richmond to develop rigorous and methodologically sound VR ROI econometric models.

Collaborators

Participating Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies include the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind. The George Washington University Center for Rehabilitation Counseling, Research and Education will direct project development efforts.

Project Goals

Develop VR-ROI models that help VR agencies provide efficient and effective services to persons with disabilities. The proposed models will provide guidance about the mix of services that provide superior outcomes and enable VR agencies to examine data across subgroups (i.e., race, geography).

Goal 1: Update Data. Our refined VR-ROI model uses agency data for individuals who applied for VR services between 2017 to 2021; i.e., after revised WIOA common performance measures were integrated into program data collection. Updated data allow investigation of correlations between common performance data elements and long-term employment outcomes, as well as COVID-impacted service provision and outcomes.

Goal 2: Measures of Service Intensity. Our post-WIOA model will include measures to account for VR-delivered service intensity, such as expenditures, service units, and variation between vendor and in-house provided services.

Goal 3: Simplified VR-ROI Model. We will explore the econometric characteristics of a simplified and more accessible version of the VR-ROI model that can be used by VR agencies across the country. This will put VR agencies in a better position to make timely decisions for enhancing services for their consumers with disabilities.

Goal 4: Knowledge Translation. We will use community-based participatory research methods with stakeholder groups to solicit input on model development and relevant products for understanding and utilizing VR-ROI models to improve VR services.

Questions about this Project? Contact:

VR ROI Project Director: Dr. Joseph Ashley
Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research & Education (CRCRE)
The George Washington University
mobile: (804) 241-9719