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Information Reviewed: A Survey of Community-Based Rehabilitation Programs: Goals, Outcomes, Consumers, Finances, and Changes
Author(s): K.F. Botterbusch and J.W. Miller
Source: Menomonie: University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, Research and Training Center on Community Rehabilitation Programs to Improve Employment Outcomes
Date: 1999
Type: Report
Overview:

The average community-based rehabilitation program has increased in size, while the number of these programs has declined. Results showed that the community-based rehabilitation programs serve about 40% of consumers, which appeared low, but was similar with many studies. Other findings were:

  • The typical program served 219 consumers each day, mainly people with disabilities.
  • More than 60% of the programs offered supported employment, sheltered employment programs, job skills and work adjustment programs, and vocational evaluation and assessment
  • Almost 60% offer placement programs
  • The most common goals were provision of job skills training, employment of people with disabilities, specific vocational services, and identifying employer needs.
  • The most common outcomes were supported employment, competitive employment, and earning enough to be self-supporting.
  • Programs (about half of them) expected to see more welfare recipients and school-to-work transition populations; they also expected to see more women (probably from welfare reform), ethnic minorities, senior citizens, and those from inner cities or rural areas. The number of people with severe disabilities was also expected to increase.
  • Service fees covered a mean of 76% of costs; other funds came from state vocational rehabilitation system, developmental disabilities, and mental health. Some funds came from business income. Programs expected to see future funds coming from welfare programs, schools, and individuals and families.

    To get this information, researchers studied relevant literature and had input from an advisory committee. They picked the following goals to study: Outcomes, demographic characteristics of consumers, revenue and expenditures, and the anticipated effects of funding changes. They mailed two questionnaires to a national sample of community-based programs in 1997; 124 usable surveys were returned.

    For more information, contact: the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Rehabilitation Programs to Improve Employment Outcomes, the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, Menomonie, WI 54751, (715) 232-1389, RTC Web site

    This research was supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the U.S. Department of Education. #123

    Botterbusch, K. F., & Miller, J. W. (1999). A survey of community-based rehabilitation programs: Goals, outcomes, consumers, finances, and changes. Menomonie, WI: University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, Research and Training Center on Community Rehabilitation Programs to Improve Employment Outcomes

    Keyword: Rehabilitation

    Copyright. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living.

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    Reviewer: Cindy Higgins

    Copyright ©2010