Project Description:
The Hawai`i Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment project is be a joint endeavor between the Hawai`i State Department of Human Services (DHS), the University of Hawai`i at Manoa Center on Disability Studies (UH-CDS), the Hawai`i State Department of Health (DOH) and the Hawai`i Business Health Council (HBHC). These agencies will engage in a collaborative effort with public and private employers, employee groups, and their health care providers in a comprehensive community-based effort to assist individuals who are at high risk of becoming disabled/unemployed as a result of diabetes. The partnership enlists promising and emerging practices to identify and support persons, ages 18 through 60 years old, with potentially disabling and medically determinable physical impairments as a result of diabetes, who are: (1) currently employed not less than 40 hours per month at Federal minimum wage or an acceptable equivalent, and (2) currently are at risk of experiencing a reduction in hours or loss of employment and/or health coverage due to their disabilities.
The Project will address the question: Can a program of medical assistance and other supports forestall or prevent the loss of employment and independence due to a potentially disabling and medically determinable condition? Specifically, the project will develop and implement a comprehensive community-based employment maintenance effort for individuals with diabetes who are at high risk of becoming disabled (i.e., becoming unemployed). Conducted in the City and County of Honolulu, island of O`ahu, the Project will randomly assign 534 participants from the above described populations to two equally sized study groups of 267 participants into the follows: (1) a control group - Business as Usual will consist of persons not receiving any intervention services, supports, or effects other than those for which they are eligible either through standard work practices or other means, and (2) an intervention group who will experience Life Coaching support services through preventive medication management use and other health care, life, and employment supports and services, including assisting participants to clarify their life and workplace goals to achieve stated lifestyle outcomes.
The project will statistically demonstrate the difference between the proposed intervention and the control group on the following outcomes: 1) improved health status; 2) continued employment; and 3) maintenance of continued independence from Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life
