RETAIN Kentucky Phase 2

2025

Each year, millions of workers experience on and off the job injuries or illnesses that remove them from the workforce (Rubin, Roessler, & Rumrill, 2016; Ben-Shalom, 2016). These workers may move from short-term to long-term disability benefits, culminating at the federal disability Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) rolls, often never returning to the workforce (Strauser, 2014). This negatively impacts the economic outlook for employers who are faced with employee turnover arising from vacant positions, lost productivity and resulting decreased output. The RETAINing Kentuckys Workforce through Universal Design (RKW-UD) project seeks to help workers stay at work and return to work in the event of injury or illness, using frameworks that are proving to be successful for states while embedding attributes around universal design, assistive technology, peer supports, and a strong collaborative emphasis that represents Kentucky strengths.

Social Determinants of Health, employment

Demonstration Services

Employment-Related Activities

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone

State

Federal

N/A