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Effects of structured vocational services in ex-offender veterans with mental illness: 6-month follow-up. James P. LePage, PhD; Avery A. Lewis, MA; Edward L. Washington, BS; Brandi Davis, MS; Anne Glasgow. Aim
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Effects of structured vocational services in ex-offender veterans withmental illness: 6-month follow-up James P. LePage, PhD; Avery A. Lewis, MA; Edward L. Washington, BS; Brandi Davis, MS; Anne Glasgow
Aim • Evaluate effect of 3 vocational assistance methods on competitive employment over 6 mo follow-up period: • Basic vocational services. • Self-study using vocational manual. • Group using vocational manual. • Relevance • With >200,000 veterans incarcerated, there is significant need for technologies that help veterans with felony histories return to employment.
Method • About Face Vocational Manual: • Tailored for ex-offenders. • Covers interview skills,presentation of legal history, description of job skills, and basic résumé development. • Subjects: • 111 veterans in Dallas, TX, with at least 1 felony conviction and mental illness and/or substance dependence. • Assigned to condition by week of enrollment.
Method • Outcomes: • Number working at least 1 d of competitive employment during follow-up. • Time (in months) to obtain competitive employment. • Time in competitive employment (in months). • Percentage competitively employed by month across follow-up.
Results • Group format led to quicker and more total employment than basic and self-study conditions.
Conclusion • Results support benefit of structured standardized groups focused on obtaining employment for veterans with felony histories. • Should be incorporated into psychosocial treatment modalities that serve this population. • Self-help activities were not supported. • Finding ways to blend self-study with staff feedback, such as through Web-based interactions, may hold promise.