The COVID-19 pandemic has struck people with substance use disorders (SUD) in many ways, one of them being unemployment. Retaining employment is often a challenge for people with SUD, and this problem has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services have the overarching goal of helping people with disabilities find, obtain, and maintain satisfying jobs and live independently.

This training provides an overview of the demographic and VR service predictors of employment outcomes (achievement of competitive employment, hourly wage, and weekly hours) among individuals with substance use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on our findings from an empirical study using the Rehabilitation Service Administration Case Services Report (RSA-911) database for fiscal year 2020.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the demographic factors associated with the VR service outcomes in people with substance use disorders (SUD).
• Identify the VR services associated with the VR service outcomes in people with SUD.
• Be aware of current issues and gaps in VR service provision for people with SUD.
• Understand the research and practice implications for VR service provision based on the findings shared in this presentation.