Project Description:
The InVEST Project is an innovative, three-component, wrap around model for assisting
individuals, their families, and employers, in moving from Subminimum Wage (SMW) employment to
Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) or encouraging those considering SMW to move toward CIE.
CIE Engagement provides SWTCIE participants and their families with education, strategies and
supports designed to alleviate fears, concerns, and needs that are disincentives to CIE.
CIE Supports provide SWTCIE participants and Designated Employers with an employer- based model
including embedded employer liaisons and employment specialists to facilitate communication, create
a smooth hiring process, and provide on-the-job supports to ensure success for both parties.
CIE Service/Resource Coordination creates an interdisciplinary and collaborative resource team
(CRT) approach to anticipate and respond to the SWTCIE participants employment- related needs. By
utilizing Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) Framework tools, the InVEST Project addresses factors
affecting CIE for project participants in a person-centered, strengths-based, and
community-integrated approach. Benefits Planning, Transportation, and Wrap Around Services are
provided to project participants to sustain CIE and continue necessary supports.
Community-Based Work Assessments, Job Shadowing, and On-the-Job Training are provided to facilitate
informed choice and successful job placement within Green Industries and Transportation and Related
Industries.
Formative and summative program evaluation informs project implementation, refinement, and
upscaling within additional sites in Pennsylvania. Planned comparisons to prior outcomes within
targeted regions for the intervention, as well as matched regions within the state, will provide
for the evaluation of the project relative to control regions. Fidelity of implementation, project
outcomes measures, and psychometrically valid measures will provide for a thorough evaluation of
the impact of the project toward dissemination and replication to other agencies. Strategies
and interventions, implementation considerations, evaluation metrics, and related information will
form the basis of a toolkit to promote high fidelity of application of the InVEST project
throughout the State, sustainability of those efforts, and replication by other state vocational
rehabilitation agencies.
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups
