Purpose

This study will develop and test a mentor-based, shared decision-making intervention for improving competitive integrated employment (CIE) and community outcomes for transition-age youth with IDD.

Overview

Vanderbilt University (VU), University of Southern California (USC), and Children's Hospital Los Angeles will conduct an Intervention Efficacy study to evaluate the impact of combined peer and parent mentorship on the employment and community engagement of adults with IDD. In this enhanced intervention, both unemployed adults with IDD and their parents will receive: (a) information on evidence-based practices in supported decision-making, self-determination, and person-centered approaches to connecting to CIE, combined with (b) mentorship from an employed adult with IDD (for unemployed adults) and their parent (for parents of unemployed adults). Then, we will conduct a Scale-Up Evaluation of the enhanced intervention by: (a) expanding to 4 states: Tennessee, California, Kansas and Virginia; and (b) evaluating the impact through a larger randomized controlled trial.

About Study #1 with Principal Investigator Dr. Ben Schwartzman

Zooming into Focus Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 2: Research Study One Principal Investigator Dr. Ben Schwartzman

Webcasts:

• UPCOMING: Employment Mentorship Pathways - A Novel Parent & Peer Mentorship Intervention to Support Adults with IDD in Connecting to Competitive Integrated Employment

MicroLearnings:

• Finding the Right Job Fit: Identifying Strengths, Interests, and Employment Preferences
• Using a Person Centered Approach in Planning for Adulthood and Employment

Postcards:

• Dr. Ben Schwartzman Quote
• Voices of the Research: Liz Motley

Research Briefs & Fact Sheets

• RS1: Research Brief 1: Supporting Employment Through Parent Mentorship: The Employment Pathways Project
• RS1: Research Brief 2: Supporting Employment Through Parent Mentorship: The Employment Pathways Project

Case Studies:

• Finding Momentum Through Mentorship: Marcus and Donna's Employment Journey

Plain Language Article Summaries:

• Complex Employment Journeys: Case Studies of Four Families of Adults with Intellectual Disability
• The Effects of a Parent-to-Parent Mentorship Intervention on the Employment Outcomes of Adults with Autism and/or Intellectual Disability

Infographics:

• RS1: Employment Pathways Project
• Supporting Employment Through Parent Mentorship