Predictors of Successful Closure in the State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation System: Findings from a Sample of Persons with Disability and Substance Use Disorders
Numerous studies have focused on the predictors of successful closure of state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) applicants. However, there appears to be only one study focused solely on the predictors of employment with persons who were deemed eligible for services based on their alcohol or drug abuse diagnosis. This retrospective study examined the predictors of employment among this population. A sample of 940 persons with a primary or secondary diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse and a closure status of 26 or 28 was randomly selected from the 2005 Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) 911 data. A combination of consumer characteristics, VR service variables, and work disincentives predicted employment. Knowledge of these predictors suggests ways for counselors to better serve consumers via accurate assessment, appropriate planning, and efficient case coordination.