Recidivism within the state-federal rehabilitation program: Identification and characteristics of its existence in Iowa

The problem. The purpose of this study is to determine whether people whose case files had been successfully closed returned for services at a later date. If they returned the study asked what characteristics were common to that subgroup.; Procedures. The sample consisted of all 4311 case files of the Iowa Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) that were closed successfully rehabilitated during the 2000 and 2001 fiscal years and had a previous closure status at the time of application of (1) not previously closed or (2) previously closed successfully rehabilitated. A comparison of means using t-tests was conducted for all continuous variables analyzed. Chi-square analyses were used to determine if the recidivism group varied significantly from the initial services group on several variables. Logistic regression was used as a method of multivariate statistical analysis.; Findings. Of the 4311 cases closed successfully rehabilitated, 23.9% were cases that had returned for services. Within the group of individuals who returned for services, individuals who had a hearing impairment, a psychotic disorder, an amputation, or mental retardations were significantly more prevalent than others. Individuals who were classified as severely disabled were also more prevalent in the recidivism group. A comparison of the initial services group and the recidivism group revealed that while individuals within the recidivism group worked more hours, earned more money, and received more public assistance at application they worked fewer hours and earned less money at closure.; Conclusions. This study revealed that recidivism existed and that there were specific characteristics associated with that group of individuals.; Recommendations. Additional research should be conducted to determine whether recidivism exists throughout the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation program. If further research supports the existence of recidivism, then the state-federal program should review the purpose of the program as defined by disability legislation and the evaluation measures used to assess it.