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Subgroups
In a 26-month period from 2012 to 2015, the study recruited veterans who were formerly incarcerated and (1) had at least one prior felony conviction; (2) had been diagnosed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with a substance use disorder, mental illness, or both; (3) expressed a desire for competitive employment; and (4) provided consent. In total, 146 veterans were screened for participation and randomly assigned, with 111 ultimately included in the analysis sample. Among those included in the study sample, 60 were assigned to the intervention group (AF+IPS) and 51 to the comparison group (AF).
Enrollment took place between late 2012 and early 2015. Participants were followed for one year.
Not available
The intervention group received the About Face (AF) vocational program plus Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services. AF was a small-group, one-week program serving veterans who were formerly incarcerated with at least one prior felony conviction and who had been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, mental illness, or both. In AF, participants met for 8-10 hours over the week and explored their career goals, discussed their employment history, developed a basic resume, and considered the employment challenges faced by veterans. After AF, participants moved into IPS, a program founded on a set of core principles—including small caseloads and rapid job searches—with the intention of helping people find and keep jobs. Supported employment specialists (SESs), who were trained rehabilitation counselors, provided individual job search services within two weeks of participation in AF. SESs contacted employers on participants' behalf to connect participants to employment and to work with employers to develop positions suitable for participants. SESs partnered with participants' substance use and mental health care treatment teams as part of the employment services they provided. IPS lasted until the participant found a job, but participants could choose to receive ongoing support from the SESs after they were employed.
The comparison group participated in the AF vocational program but did not receive any IPS services.
None
Participants for the study were screened at a large U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility. No further information on setting is provided.
Under study timing, does followed for one year mean one year after enrollment?