Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program

Objective: Pilot a clinical model and study to learn more about how employment impacts health in children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Background: As young individuals transition into adulthood, milestones such as independent living and gainful employment become...

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Main Authors: Elijah W. Hale, Aryn Taylor, Marlee Elton, Melanie Honsbruch, Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, Jessica Solomon Sanders
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Health Care Transitions
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000084
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author Elijah W. Hale
Aryn Taylor
Marlee Elton
Melanie Honsbruch
Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg
Jessica Solomon Sanders
author_facet Elijah W. Hale
Aryn Taylor
Marlee Elton
Melanie Honsbruch
Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg
Jessica Solomon Sanders
author_sort Elijah W. Hale
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Pilot a clinical model and study to learn more about how employment impacts health in children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Background: As young individuals transition into adulthood, milestones such as independent living and gainful employment become paramount. However, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), these milestones can diverge notably from those of typically developing peers. They often confront distinct challenges, especially during shifts from pediatric to adult health care and transitioning from school to employment. Despite the positive influence of employment on quality of life, fragmented support systems create barriers to achieving this outcome. Employment is an important aspect of overall health and wellness, and more research is needed to determine how employment supports can be integrated with health care to improve certain health outcomes. Design: Self-determination theory and social ecological theory highlight the need for a comprehensive approach that considers both the internal needs and motivations of the individual with IDD and the external factors that influence their transition to adulthood. Based in these theories, our intervention offers an innovative blend of vocational support within a transition services framework at a large academic hospital. Our study introduces vocational support tailored for IDD youths within three health clinics. Results: Initial results demonstrate the technical and scheduling feasibility of integrating the intervention within existing healthcare services. The study has enrolled several participants, showing potential in technical, scheduling, economic, and operational domains. However, upcoming long-term data and comprehensive evaluation are required for a conclusive understanding of the intervention's impact. Conclusions: The program integrates vocational support into transitioning individuals with IDD from childhood to adult health care services. This intervention has potential to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with IDD, which could drive broader interdisciplinary interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-4cdf9e8156c947f18b50e30a89183bc82025-08-20T02:07:31ZengElsevierHealth Care Transitions2949-92322024-01-01210004810.1016/j.hctj.2024.100048Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot programElijah W. Hale0Aryn Taylor1Marlee Elton2Melanie Honsbruch3Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg4Jessica Solomon Sanders5School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, JFK Partners, USADepartment of Rehabilitation and Human Services, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USAUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, JFK Partners, USAUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, JFK Partners, USAUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, JFK Partners, USAUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Pediatrics, JFK Partners, USA; Correspondence to: 13123 East 16th Avenue, B-140, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.Objective: Pilot a clinical model and study to learn more about how employment impacts health in children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Background: As young individuals transition into adulthood, milestones such as independent living and gainful employment become paramount. However, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), these milestones can diverge notably from those of typically developing peers. They often confront distinct challenges, especially during shifts from pediatric to adult health care and transitioning from school to employment. Despite the positive influence of employment on quality of life, fragmented support systems create barriers to achieving this outcome. Employment is an important aspect of overall health and wellness, and more research is needed to determine how employment supports can be integrated with health care to improve certain health outcomes. Design: Self-determination theory and social ecological theory highlight the need for a comprehensive approach that considers both the internal needs and motivations of the individual with IDD and the external factors that influence their transition to adulthood. Based in these theories, our intervention offers an innovative blend of vocational support within a transition services framework at a large academic hospital. Our study introduces vocational support tailored for IDD youths within three health clinics. Results: Initial results demonstrate the technical and scheduling feasibility of integrating the intervention within existing healthcare services. The study has enrolled several participants, showing potential in technical, scheduling, economic, and operational domains. However, upcoming long-term data and comprehensive evaluation are required for a conclusive understanding of the intervention's impact. Conclusions: The program integrates vocational support into transitioning individuals with IDD from childhood to adult health care services. This intervention has potential to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with IDD, which could drive broader interdisciplinary interventions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000084Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)Vocational SupportHealthcareTransitionEmployment First PhilosophyHolistic Care Models
spellingShingle Elijah W. Hale
Aryn Taylor
Marlee Elton
Melanie Honsbruch
Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg
Jessica Solomon Sanders
Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
Health Care Transitions
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Vocational Support
Healthcare
Transition
Employment First Philosophy
Holistic Care Models
title Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
title_full Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
title_fullStr Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
title_full_unstemmed Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
title_short Integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic: A pilot program
title_sort integrating vocational supports into a transition clinic a pilot program
topic Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Vocational Support
Healthcare
Transition
Employment First Philosophy
Holistic Care Models
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949923224000084
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