Why preparing youth with disabilities and chronic illness for employment is a public health issue

According to the 2010 National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs, 12-17% of children 0-17 have a chronic illness or disability. With advances in medicine, increasing numbers of these children are living into adulthood, and improved treatment allows them the ability to live productive and successful lives. In order to experience this level of quality, youth must have the motivation and supports in place to maintain their healthcare treatments as a prerequisite for continuing along a successful employment trajectory.

This presentation will illustrate The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Career Path Program. The program, implemented in 2007, is for young people ages 18-22, with a chronic illness and/or disability. A job coach (with background in special education), social worker, and program manager assist participants in obtaining work experience and employment. The program utilizes a rehabilitation model to evaluate participants’ strengths and abilities, which includes functional assessments by occupational, physical and speech therapists. 

To date, the program has been successful in assisting 26 young adults become employed for at least 18 months, with an average of 2.5 years. The program and its evaluation are ongoing. Through seven years of qualitative and quantitative data, the presentation will demonstrate the positive relationship between helping youth become independent in their healthcare and daily lives, and their ability to learn job skills and become employed. The program model can be replicated in settings that serve youth, and is relevant to individuals who work with or do research related to disability and/or chronic illness.