Vocational rehabilitation services and outcomes for transition-age youth with traumatic brain injuries

Objective: This study examined data provided by the US Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in an effort to evaluate the relationship between (a) demographic variables and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and (b) the employment outcomes of transition-age youth with traumatic brain injuries. Setting: Not applicable. Participants: Data for 1546 transition-age youth (ie, 16-25 years of age) with traumatic brain injuries were examined. Design: Purposeful selection of multivariate logistic regression was employed to analyze the data. Main Measures: Not applicable. Results: Receipt of more VR services at higher expenditure levels over shorter periods of time was related to case closure in successful competitive employment status. Also, higher levels of education at the time of enrollment in the VR program (ie, bachelor's degrees or higher); nonreceipt of social security disability benefits at the time of enrollment in the VR program; and receipt of VR services such as occupational/vocational training, job search, job placement, on-the-job support, maintenance, and information/referral were associated with competitive employment outcomes. Conclusion: Client demographic and VR service-related variables significantly predict competitive employment outcomes for transition-age youth with traumatic brain injuries. Vocational rehabilitation services should focus on the specific interventions that are most closely associated with successful rehabilitation.