title: Effects of structured vocational services on job-search success in ex-offender veterans with mental illness: 3-month follow-up.
abstract: With the high number of incarcerated veterans with mental illness and substance dependence returning to the community annually, a significant need exists for technologies that will help them return to employment. This study evaluates three methods of assistance: (1) basic vocational services, (2) self-study of a vocational manual designed for formerly incarcerated veterans, and (3) a group led by vocational staff using the vocational manual. We evaluated 69 veterans to determine the number finding employment within 3 months after enrollment in the study. The group format was expected to be superior to self-study, and self-study was expected to be superior to basic services. Though the group format was found to be superior to both self-study and basic services, the results for self-study and basic services were statistically similar. Limitations and directions for future refinement are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System, Research and Development Service, Dallas, TX 75216, USA. james.lepage@va.gov
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: LePage
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.forename: Avery A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Kim E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Garcia-Rea
mesh_terms: D057237:Criminals; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans