Improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities

One-Year Impact Evaluation of Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) in Kansas

This study is testing a program that helps people with disabilities from injuries or illnesses find and keep jobs by providing support and incentives to see if it improves their work outcomes.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 4000 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Topeka, Kansas)
• Trial ID: NCT05167981 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The RETAINWORKS initiative aims to enhance employment outcomes for individuals facing work disabilities due to injuries or illnesses. This program, implemented by the Kansas Department of Commerce in collaboration with medical and business partners, provides a comprehensive set of stay-at-work and return-to-work services. Participants receive support from nurse navigators and workforce coordinators, along with financial incentives for achieving milestones. The evaluation will compare outcomes between those receiving the full intervention and a control group to assess the program's effectiveness.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals with work disabilities that affect their ability to attend work, perform duties, or maintain productivity.

Not a fit: Patients with work disabilities that do not impact their employment or those with conditions not covered by the study criteria may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve job retention and reduce reliance on disability programs for individuals with work disabilities.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies focusing on stay-at-work and return-to-work interventions have shown promise, suggesting that this approach could yield beneficial outcomes.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria

* Has a work disability. Work disability is defined as an injury, illness, or medical condition that has the potential to inhibit or prevent continued employment or labor force participation. Work disability exists when an employee is not able to perform their usual work as a result of a health problem
* The work disability (i.e., illness, injury, or medical condition) must impact the participant's employment in one or more of the following ways:

  1. Participant's ability to attend work;
  2. Participant's ability to perform work duties;
  3. Participant's work performance/productivity
* The condition must be a new condition or an exacerbation of a chronic condition that falls into one or more of the following categories:

  1. Musculoskeletal injuries;
  2. Mental health disorders;
  3. Chronic diseases such as Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - this list is not all-inclusive;
  4. Other newly diagnosed illnesses or injuries that affect the individual's employment
* The condition may be acquired from or attributed to either on-the-job (occupational-related) or off-the-job (non-occupational-related) factors
* The participant must meet all the following criteria:

  1. Be between the ages of 18 and 65 years;
  2. Be currently employed or seeking employment;
  3. Either live or work in Kansas;
  4. Have a valid social security number;
  5. Be legally authorized to work in the United States

Exclusion Criteria

* May NOT have application for SSDI or SSI benefits pending or already receiving such benefits at the onset of the injury or illness

Where this trial is running

Topeka, Kansas

• Kansas Department of Commerce — Topeka, Kansas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jill Berk, PhD — Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
• Study coordinator: Amaka Osuoha, MPH

Conditions Disability; disability; employment; unemployment