Monitoring Rehabilitation Program Outcomes using the Life After Service Studies

Abstract: The VAC Rehabilitation Program includes case management, assessments, case plans, vocational assessments and plans as well as reimbursement for rehabilitation services and benefits. The program logic model’s immediate outcomes relate to accessibility of the program for eligible Veterans and clients or, in other words, program reach. Intermediate outcomes include: improved health and functional capacity; knowledge, skills and abilities to achieve an appropriate occupational goal (i.e., employability). The ultimate outcomes are: 1. community integration and 2. participation in the civilian workforce. Similar to rehabilitation programs for Veterans in other countries, VAC’s Rehabilitation Program has both employment goals as well as non-employment goals, such as improving sense of community belonging and quality of life not related to employment. VAC measures employability, rather than employment, as an intermediate program outcome.