Supported Employment for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury History: Is it Working?

Thursday, November 10, 2022

3:55 PM – 4:11 PM

Presenting Author(s)

Terri K. Pogoda, PhD

Research Health Scientist
VA Boston Healthcare System
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Slides Slides and Audio

Non-presenting Author(s)

KM

Katelyn Marchany, MPH

Project Manager
VA Boston Healthcare System
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
JY

Jonathan Yee, M.A.

Social Science Program Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, United States
VK

Virginia Keleher, MSW

Supported Employment Mentor/Trainer
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, United States
RM

Ryan Might

Vocational Counselor
Department of Veterans Affairs, United States
SR

Sandra G. Resnick, PhD

Deputy Director
VA Northeast Program Evaluation Center
West Haven, Connecticut, United States

We examined characteristics and employment outcomes among Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) history enrolled in 12 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Supported Employment programs between 2020-2022. This program provides intense, individualized supported for individuals whose disabilities interfere with finding and maintaining employment. Supported Employment providers work closely with the Veteran’s clinical treatment team, Veterans, and employers to ensure clinical and vocational supports are provided to facilitate workplace success. The 92 enrollees were primarily male, White, non-Hispanic, Post-9/11 Veterans with an average age of 41 years. The majority (83%) received VA service-connected disability compensation. At enrollment, they had been unemployed for 5 months (median). Half (51%) obtained at least 1 job within approximately 3 months of Supported Employment program entry. Incarceration history, current homelessness, and level of service-connected disability rating did not differ among Veterans who did or did not obtain employment.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the principles of Supported Employment.
Identify common health and psychosocial conditions that Veterans with TBI history may experience.
Describe the interdisciplinary and workplace supports provided to Veterans with TBI history who are enrolled in Supported Employment.