Factors Related to Early Termination From Work for Youth With Disabilities

Abstract

Youth with disabilities face significant barriers in achieving positive post-high school outcomes, particularly when transitioning out of high school and entering the workforce, a problem that has been documented and studied by many researchers. The impact of previous work experience has long been viewed as related to positive outcomes when youth with disabilities transition from high school to work. However, very few studies have looked at specific factors leading to poor post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities like early termination of work. This study utilizes a national database of youth in a transition program to determine what factors influenced early termination of a job placement. Hierarchical Linear Modeling is used to explore how early termination is impacted by race, gender, socioeconomic status, previous vocational education, previous work experience, type of job, and whether or not the youth is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or utilizing the Ticket to Work (TTW). Results from this study can help to identify which youth may be particularly at-risk to terminate early from a job placement program, giving service providers the opportunity to implement interventions that help at-risk students succeed.