Gary R Bond1, Monirah Al-Abdulmunem2, Daniel R Ressler2, Daniel M Gade3, Robert E Drake2. 1. Social Policy and Economics Research, Westat, Rivermill Commercial Center, 85 Mechanic St., Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. garybond@westat.com. 2. Social Policy and Economics Research, Westat, Rivermill Commercial Center, 85 Mechanic St., Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA. 3. Virginia Department of Veterans Services, Richmond, VA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Military personnel face numerous challenges transitioning from military jobs to meaningful civilian employment. Many veterans seek help finding employment, but few veteran employment programs have been rigorously studied. Transitioning veterans generally have access to Local Community Resources (LCR), which include the Veterans Health Administration vocational rehabilitation services, the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation program, and the Department of Labor's American Job Centers. By contrast, the innovative National Career Coach Program (NCCP) offers intensive career coaching and financial incentives for working. METHODS: This study used a randomized controlled design to compare the NCCP and LCR approaches for 208 transitioning service members (recent or pending transition). Researchers conducted interviews by telephone every four months for two years. Outcomes included earnings, months worked, and standardized self-report measures of health and well-being. Findings At two-year follow-up, significantly more NCCP participants had worked in paid employment than LCR participants (95% vs. 83%). NCCP participants averaged $2568 in monthly earnings compared to $1865 for LCR participants, thus averaging $16,872 more total income per participant over the two-year period. Employment outcomes significantly improved between Year 1 and Year 2. NCCP participants also reported significantly greater improvements in both physical and mental health compared to LCR participants. Average monthly earnings correlated with changes in health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans receiving multi-faceted employment services early in the transition from the military showed sustained benefit over a two-year period with increased earnings over time and improved mental and physical outcomes. Positive employment outcomes may have contributed to improved health outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Military personnel face numerous challenges transitioning from military jobs to meaningful civilian employment. Many veterans seek help finding employment, but few veteran employment programs have been rigorously studied. Transitioning veterans generally have access to Local Community Resources (LCR), which include the Veterans Health Administration vocational rehabilitation services, the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation program, and the Department of Labor's American Job Centers. By contrast, the innovative National Career Coach Program (NCCP) offers intensive career coaching and financial incentives for working. METHODS: This study used a randomized controlled design to compare the NCCP and LCR approaches for 208 transitioning service members (recent or pending transition). Researchers conducted interviews by telephone every four months for two years. Outcomes included earnings, months worked, and standardized self-report measures of health and well-being. Findings At two-year follow-up, significantly more NCCP participants had worked in paid employment than LCR participants (95% vs. 83%). NCCP participants averaged $2568 in monthly earnings compared to $1865 for LCR participants, thus averaging $16,872 more total income per participant over the two-year period. Employment outcomes significantly improved between Year 1 and Year 2. NCCP participants also reported significantly greater improvements in both physical and mental health compared to LCR participants. Average monthly earnings correlated with changes in health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans receiving multi-faceted employment services early in the transition from the military showed sustained benefit over a two-year period with increased earnings over time and improved mental and physical outcomes. Positive employment outcomes may have contributed to improved health outcomes.
Authors: Lori L Davis; Tassos C Kyriakides; Alina M Suris; Lisa A Ottomanelli; Lisa Mueller; Pamela E Parker; Sandra G Resnick; Richard Toscano; Alexandra A Scrymgeour; Robert E Drake Journal: JAMA Psychiatry Date: 2018-04-01 Impact factor: 21.596
Authors: Lori L Davis; Tassos C Kyriakides; Alina Suris; Lisa Ottomanelli; Robert E Drake; Pamela E Parker; Lisa Mueller; Sandra G Resnick; Richard Toscano; Catherine M Blansett; Kimberly P McCall; Grant D Huang Journal: Psychiatr Rehabil J Date: 2017-03-30
Authors: Gary R Bond; Monirah Al-Abdulmunem; Daniel R Ressler; Robert E Drake; Lori L Davis; Thomas Meyer; Daniel M Gade; B Christopher Frueh; Ross B Dickman Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 2022-05-01 Impact factor: 2.254
Authors: Julia B Baller; Crystal R Blyler; Svetlana Bronnikov; Haiyi Xie; Gary R Bond; Kai Filion; Thomas Hale Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2019-12-04 Impact factor: 3.084
Authors: Gary R Bond; Monirah Al-Abdulmunem; Robert E Drake; Lori L Davis; Thomas Meyer; Daniel M Gade; B Christopher Frueh; Ross B Dickman; Daniel R Ressler Journal: J Behav Health Serv Res Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 1.475