PROMISE: Lessons learned from six model demonstration projects through the Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income Project

The University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions was the de facto lead agency of Arkansas PROMISE, under contract from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), which held the formal lead agency position. Five organizations provided services throughout Arkansas PROMISE: the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS); Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS); Sources for Community Independent Living Services (Sources); the University of Arkansas Center for the Utilization of Rehabilitation Resources for Education, Networking, Training, and Service (CURRENTS); and the University of Arkansas Partners for Inclusive Communities (Partners). Arkansas PROMISE website  

Youth participant total	1960
Treatment group	987
Control group	973

Final participation numbers from projects as of September 30, 2019

Average youth age at enrollment 15.4 years

Male	66.4%
Female	33.6%

Pie chart describing primary impairment

Intellectual and developmental disability	42.5 percent
Speech, hearing or visual	1 percent
Physical disability	8.8 percent
Other mental impairment	44.4 percent
Other or unknown	3.2 percent

Pie chart describing race/ethnicity

White non Hispanic	21.4 percent
Black non Hispanic	58.9 percent
Hispanic	7.6 percent
American Indian	.8 percent
Other/mixed	9.3 percent
Missing	2 percent

Either parent/guardian employed at any time in the 12 months before project 70.6 %

Average monthly earnings in 12 months before project $1,247

Youth employed in 12 months before project .7 percent

Average annual earnings in 12 months before project $3

Demographics from MPR 18-month interim report

Either parent/guardian employed in month before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	49.6 percent
Treatment group	52.2 percent

Earnings in month before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	$768
Treatment group	$878

Parents/guardians received any support in the first 18 months

Control group	26.4 percent
Treatment group	51.5 percent

Youth had any earnings in year before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	16.2 percent
Treatment group	46.8 percent

Earnings in year before the 18-month checkpoint

Control group	$747
Treatment group	$1,960

Youth received any transition services in the first 18 months

Control group	82.3 percent
Treatment group	95.7 percent

Preliminary outcomes for participants who completed the 18-month survey from MPR 18-month interim report.

Unique features 

• Youth could attend at least two, one-week-long summer camps on a university campus to explore available educational and independent living options
• A case management budget of up to $400 per family per year to address critical needs
• The opportunity for youth to have at least two paid work experiences of up to 200 hours each, paid for with PROMISE funds, with support to pursue additional paid work experiences paid for by the employer
• Intensive case management with a target ratio of 1:20
• Combined resources of VR agency and local Workforce Investment Boards to provide work-based learning experiences and intensive yearly trainings held monthly throughout the state covering a variety of topics including self-advocacy, financial literacy, asset mapping, and benefits counseling
• Opening of ABLE accounts for PROMISE youth based on completion of exit activities
• An educational budget of $400 per youth to incentivize high school graduation by covering graduation costs

Partnerships

• Arkansas Department of Education —lead agency
• University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions —de facto lead agency
• Arkansas Division of Workforce Services
• Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
• Sources
• CURRENTS
• Partners