1. RRTC-EBP-VR The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Practices (RRTC-EBP-VR) is established at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout under a grant from the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant number PR# H133B100034.

2. Promoting Evidence-Based Vocational Rehabilitation Practice John Lui Ph.D., MBA, CRC Cayte Anderson ABD, CRC National Employment Conference Arlington, Virginia December 6, 2012

3. Rehabilitation Research & Training Center for Evidence- Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation What does this stand for?

4. The RRTC-EBP-VR is a national research collaborative partnered by the following key institutions and organizations: The University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education The University of Wisconsin – Stout Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) Michigan State University The University of Texas – El Paso Southern University at Baton Rouge

5. What does the RRTC-EBP-VR do? Conduct research on evidence-based practice Provide VR practitioners with knowledge and tools for implementing evidence-based vocationalrehabilitation practices Goal: improve employment rates and quality of employment for people with disabilities

6. How does the RRTC-EBP-VR function? Vocational Rehab Practitioners Community Partners Rehab Researchers Families and Individuals with Disabilities

7. Our Goal… To ensure that new knowledge gained through the course of research ultimately improves the lives of people with disabilities, and furthers their participation in society (NIDRR, 2005).

8. Research Initiatives Phase 1 – ID practices that improve employment rates, and quality of employment. – ID best practices among state VR agencies. Phase 2 – Develop new knowledge regarding best practices. Phase 3 – Develop reliable tools that counselors can easily use.

9. What is Evidence Based Practice? Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is “…a clinical decision-making process beginning with formulating clinical questions to ask, determining the best practice, and critically appraising the evidence for validity and applicability to the particular situation." (Chan et al. 2010).

10. What does EBP Involve? Asking critical questions Identifying reliable sources of information Evaluating the significance of the evidence Using professional expertise and judgment

11. Critical Questions: Background – to obtain general information about setting or context What are the most effective treatments for presenting issue Y? Is treatment X an effective treatment for presenting issue Y? Are there any significant risks associated with treatment X?

12. Critical Questions: Foreground – to obtain information about a specific case within context Ask in PICO format: P - Patient group (also referred to as “consumers” within VR) I – Intervention C - Comparison group O - Outcome Measures Example: For an Hmong man with bipolar disorder (patient/consumer group), is there any evidence that the individual placement and support model of supported employment (Intervention) is superior to state VR services (comparison group) in improving the quality of his employment outcome (Outcome)?

13. 5 Levels of EBP Level 1 Systematic review of multiple, well designed, randomized controlled trials. Level 2 Properly designed, randomized controlled trials of appropriate size. Level 3 Well-designed trials, single-group pre-post, cohort, time series, or matched case-controlled studies Level 4 Well-designed non-experimental studies Level 5 Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical evidence, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees

14. 3E’s Efficacy Statistical and clinical significance Effectiveness Usefulness Efficiency Cost Effectiveness

15. Knowledge Translation (KT) is the process of taking information gained from relevant research and delivering it to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in a clear and useable format. Research Practice What is Knowledge Translation?

16. Knowledge-to-Action Process

17. Our Study “Engaging Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in Knowledge Translation Processes: A Participatory Action Approach” Identify incentives, barriers, and specific training needs of vocational rehabilitation counselors Participation in a Knowledge Translation process Enable implementation of evidence-based practices and services within VR

18. Study Demographics Disseminated nationally to state-federal VR N=938 – 10.4% response rate 87% - “Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor” 13% - District and Area Manager, Supervisor, Specialist, and Case Coordinator

19. Specific Knowledge-to-Action Questions How interested are you in ACQUIRING new knowledge that promotes evidence-based practice in VR? How interested are you in APPLYING new knowledge that may affect employment outcomes for people with disabilities? How interested are you in SHARING new knowledge that may affect employment outcomes for people with disabilities?

20. Age

21. Experience

22. Preferred Format

23. In what areas would VRC’s benefit from receiving more information and training? Disability-specific strategies connected with successful employment outcomes Employer Needs & Labor Market Demands Skill Development

24. Develop a better understanding of disability-specific strategies Improve efficient use of time and resources Improve employment outcomes Assess client motivation Improve understanding of disability-related laws and policies Where do VRC’s believe training in EBP could help them perform their job differently?

25. Challenges Time Constraints Difficulty Obtaining the Technology Access needed to participate

26. How can information provided through the RRTC-EBP-VR be of value? Efficient Meaningful Training practical and accessible at anytime Forums and social media important Medium for peer-to-peer sharing of information

27. Communicate important research findings related to high performing state VR programs Showcase effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Enhance and influence policy development to improve outcomes in the Vocational Rehabilitation System Demonstrate effective tools, strategies, and relationships for sharing key information Improve employment and quality of employment outcomes for people with disabilities who receive services from state Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies What is the desired impact of the RRTC-EBP-VR?

28. If you want to improve employment and quality of work outcomes for people with disabilities, make OUR research, YOUR best practice! EBP Resources

29. RRTC-EBP-VR The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Practices (RRTC-EBP-VR) is established at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout under a grant from the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant number PR# H133B100034.

30. Promotional Video