Originally published: 1/2008
Getting a job promptly after applying for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services is important for a successful career. Rapid placement boosts self-confidence and prevents applicants from losing work skills as a consequence of inactivity. Moreover, employers may prefer candidates whose work history shows limited gaps in employment.
This data note describes the integrated employment timeframe from application to closure for people with developmental disabilities (i.e., mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism) whose cases were closed by VR in 2006 (N = 27,579). VR typically closes cases when applicants have been in employment for at least 90 days.
It is noteworthy that the time elapsed between application and closure is not necessarily a measure of individual success in employment outcomes. Applicants who are students may delay looking for employment until after completing secondary or postsecondary education. Moreover, some applicants may receive services beyond the 90th day of employment, extending the date of case closure in comparison to job entry. RSA 911 data do not provide the date of job entry.
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