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How VR Agencies Address Mental Health to Improve Employment for People who are B/LV

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to investigate agency-level and individual factors related to mental health service provision and employment outcomes for VR consumers with B/LV. For this project, mental health is broadly defined to include adjustment to B/LV.

Research Questions

  1. How do WIOA State Plans address mental health issues for VR consumers with B/LV?
  2. What are VR agencies’ polices and procedures for addressing mental health issues among consumers with B/LV?
  3. How knowledgeable are VR counselors about mental health issues affecting people with B/LV?
  4. How confident are VR counselors in recognizing and responding to mental health issues in people with B/LV?
  5. How do mental health screening, assessment, referral, and services vary among VR counselors who serve people with B/LV?
  6. Are VR agency-level factors (e.g., mental health policies and procedures) and individual factors associated with employment outcomes for consumers with B/LV?
  7. What innovative or promising practices do VR agencies use to identify and address mental health issues in people with B/LV?

Study Summary

Despite the well-established intersection of B/LV and poor mental health, little information is known about how VR agencies and staff address the mental health, including psychosocial adjustment, of consumers with B/LV. People with B/LV may not realize or seek help for their mental health problems, and some people may even engage in coping mechanisms that mask their mental health concerns, which could impact their rehabilitation. Additionally, VR providers may not recognize mental health problems or have the knowledge or skills to address those problems.

This project involves several research components. We will (a) analyze WIOA State Plans and VR agencies’ policies; (b) survey VR counselors to determine their knowledge, confidence, and practices for addressing mental health; (c) analyze Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) data combined with state plans and agency policies to link agency-level mental health practices/policies and individual factors to employment outcomes; and (d) investigate exemplary VR agencies to determine how policies regarding mental health services for B/LV consumers are operationalized in practice.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

This project will allow us to identify VR policies and procedures that address mental health issues for consumers with B/LV, as well as any promising practices or collaborations between VR and mental health systems. Our results will yield valuable data to inform policymaking and mental health training needs for VR counselors, which can ultimately increase competitive employment for people with B/LV. We will develop educational materials about B/LV and mental health for VR counselors and VR program participants.