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Content Details

ED464435 - Increasing Utilization of SSI Work Incentive by Students Approaching Graduation Project. Final Report, 10/1/97 through 12/31/01

Category
Executive Agency Publications
Collection
Education Reports from ERIC
SuDoc Class Number
ED 1.615:
Date Issued
December 31, 2001
Source Institution
Children's Hospital, Boston, MA. Inst. for Community Inclusion
Sponsoring Agency
Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC
Publication Type
Reports - Descriptive
Subject
Disabilities, Education Work Relationship, Employment, Federal Aid, High Schools, Inservice Teacher Education, Longitudinal Studies, Parent Education, Program Design, Program Effectiveness, Social Services, Teacher Expectations of Students, Transitional Programs
Identifiers
Supplemental Security Income Program
Abstract
This final report describes the activities and outcomes of Opening Doors: Decisions about Life and Work Project, a project designed to assess the effectiveness of integrating information and support on Supplemental Security Income work incentives into the transition planning process for students with disabilities. The primary goal of the project was to increase student, family, and school expectations for employment and improving employment outcomes. At a local level, project activities included a longitudinal study of youth and parents, as well as training and capacity building in four local communities. Three years of longitudinal data were collected and research findings were summarized in brief products intended to be easily read and used by families and personnel. To affect change at a local level, project staff assisted in the development of Student Support Teams in four school districts. The purpose of these teams was to improve the transition planning and outcomes for students leaving high school. Support concerning the work incentives and person-centered planning were incorporated into services for 40 students. Formal training on the SSI work incentives was also provided to both teachers and parents. Project products addressing expectations, SSI, and the Plan for Achieving Self-support program are included. Appended are: (1) "Research to Practice" Volume 6, Number 1 (April 2000); (2) lvToolsfor Inclusion" Family and Consumer Series Volume 9, number 3 (December 2001); and (3) "Tools for Inclusion" volume 7, number 2 (July 1999).