Long term earnings and disability program participation outcomes of the Bridges transition program

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Bridges from School to Work (Bridges) program provides job placement and supports for youth with disabilities. Operating in nine sites across the country, over 18,000 youth have received job placement services through Bridges. OBJECTIVE: The paper presents long-term outcomes of youth who participate in the study to determine if previously documented short-term outcomes continue into adulthood. METHODS:We examine the earnings of Bridges participants up to age 30. We present longitudinal statistics on the earnings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program participation of youth placed by Bridges into a job. A comparison with similarly aged youths receiving SSI who did not participate in Bridges is also made. RESULTS: At age 30, almost three quarters of youth placed by Bridges have earnings. We also find that SSI participation declines through age 30 and DI participation increases. Among placed youth who received SSI at the time of Bridges enrollment, half have earnings at age 30 and less than half received SSI payments; however, over one quarter receive DI benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Bridges participation potentially helps create a higher earnings capacity for participants; however, more research is necessary to establish a causal effect.

Intervention fidelity in a large scale model demonstration project: Lessons from Maryland PROMISE

“…The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides a monthly income benefit and medical coverage to youth who are deemed to have a disability and be members of low-income families. That is, youth receiving SSI face the dual challenges of disability and poverty, both of which are associated with high rates of unemployment (Harris & Associates, 2010;Hemmeter, Donovan, Cobb & Asbury, 2015). It is well documented that these youth face several challenges in successfully transitioning to adult life, such as high unemployment (Hemmeter, Kauff, & Wittenburg, 2009) and high drop-out rates from secondary school (Mamun, Carter, Fraker, & Timmins, 2017).…”

“…It is well documented that these youth face several challenges in successfully transitioning to adult life, such as high unemployment (Hemmeter, Kauff, & Wittenburg, 2009) and high drop-out rates from secondary school (Mamun, Carter, Fraker, & Timmins, 2017). Significantly, individuals receiving SSI, either as youth or as adults, have a longstanding and intractably low rate of achieving successful employment outcomes (Davies, Rupp & Wittenburg, 2009;Hemmeter, Donovan, Cobb & Asbury, 2015).…”

Impact of Participation in School-to-Work Programs on Postsecondary Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities From Low-Income Families

“…Specifically, youth with intellectual disabilities were more likely to be employed 2 years post exit compared with those with other disabilities, but these youth had lower earnings. Other researchers observed a positive impact of vocational training and rehabilitation programs for youth with disabilities as they transitioned to early adulthood (Hemmeter, Donovan, Cobb, & Asbury, 2015; Hoffman, Hemmeter, & Bailey, 2016).…”

Impacts of School Structural Factors and Student Factors on Employment Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities in Transition

“…Those youth who reported being employed 8 years after leaving high school, both minority and non-minority, worked fewer hours for lower earnings compared with their non-disabled counterparts A growing body of research has identified numerous individual, programmatic, and systemic factors associated with postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. Individual variables, such as sex (being female), race (being minority), having lower socioeconomic status, and receiving social security benefits have all been associated with poor postschool transition outcomes (e.g., Doren, Gau, & Lindstrom, 2011;Fabian, 2007;Hemmeter, Donovan, Cobb, & Asbury, 2015;Honeycutt, Thompkins, Bardos, & Stern, 2013). On the other hand, a paid work experience prior to high school graduation was found an important factor of postschool employment outcomes (Luecking & Fabian, 2000;Test et al, 2009).…”