Research Study #5
Effects of Parent Mentoring on the Competitive Integrated Employment Outcomes of Adults with IDD: A Mixed Method Study
Research by Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Purpose
The expectations, investments, and supports of family members can have a powerful influence on employment outcomes of youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Yet many families still struggle to envision employment, to know how to pursue it, or to assemble the supports their supported adult with IDD needs to find and maintain integrated employment. Drawing upon the experience, expertise, and encouragement of others who have successfully navigated the path to employment may provide the support and guidance these family members need to successfully find employment for their supported adult with IDD.
This intervention development study will (a) develop a practical mentoring intervention package that provides family members both with relevant information and personalized mentoring; (b) evaluate the package's impact on employment outcomes within a rigorous study; (c) examine how the intervention is implemented; and (d) package and disseminate the intervention in widespread ways through our extensive state and national networks.
Overview
A variety of approaches have been designed to equip families with information and resources to better support persons with IDD. However, these approaches have largely been informational and none have incorporated a mentoring arrangement in which family members work closely over time to support one another. None have examined whether these approaches translate into Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) outcomes for adults with IDD.
This study falls into the intervention development stage of research. We will develop, pilot, refine, and evaluate an intervention package that combines both information sharing and mentorship in ways that will lead significantly more family members to pursue and obtain integrated employment for their supported adult with IDD.
Project Briefs
Project Brief 2: Meaningful Work for Individuals with IDD: Insights from Families.
Project Brief 3: Barriers to Employment for Individuals with IDD: Insights from Families.
Postcards
The Voice of Families: Exploring Perspectives on the Pathways to Integrated Employment.
Meaningful Work for Individuals with IDD: Insights from Families.
Barriers to Employment for Individuals with IDD: Insights from Families.
Supporting Integrated Employment Pursuits for Individuals with IDD: Insights from Families.
Plain Language Summaries
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Defining Customized Employment as an Evidence-Based Practice: The Results of a Focus Group Study. Inge, K.J.; Graham, C.W.; Brooks-Lane, N.; Wehman, P.; Griffin, C. (2018).
Employer views of customized employment: A focus group analysis. Riesen, T. & Morgan, R.L. (2018).
Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder Achieving Long-term Employment Success: A Retrospective Review of Employment Retention and Intervention. Brooke, V.; Molinelli Brooke, A.; Schall, C.; Wehman, P.; McDonough, J.; Thompson, K.; & Smith, J. (2018).
Employment Goals and Settings: Effects of Individual and Systemic Factors. Nord, D.; Hamre, K.; Pettingell, S.; & Magiera, L. (2018).
Evaluating the Differential Impact of Interventions to Promote Self-Determination and Goal Attainment for Transition-Age Youth with Intellectual Disabilities. Shogren, K.A.; Burke, Anderson, K.M.; Antosh, M.H.; Anthony A.; Wehmeyer, M.L.; LaPlante, T.; & Shaw, L.A. (2018).
Family perspectives on the appeals of and alternatives to sheltered employment for individuals with severe disabilities. Carter, E. W., Bendetson, S., & Guiden, C. H. (2018).
Making the Cut When Applying for Jobs Online. Novak, J. (2017).
Partners in Employment: Building Strong Coalitions to Facilitate Systems Change for Youth and Young Adults. Butterworth, J.; Christensen, J.; Flippo, K. (2017).
Provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services: Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Variation in the First Program Year of Reporting. Honeycutt, T.; Sevak, P.; & Rizzuto, A. (2019).
Stress and Resilience for Parents of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Key Factors and Recommendations for Practitioners. Peer, J.W.; & Hillman, S.B. (2014).
Toward competitive employment for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities: What progress have we made and where do we need to go. Wehman, P., Taylor, J., Brooke, V., Avellone, L., Whittenburg, H., Ham, W., Molinelli B., A., & Carr, S. (2018).