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A multiple case study design, using modified consensual qualitative research (CQR) methodological elements for data analysis, was used to explore emerging and promising practices among four state vocational rehabilitation programs. One hundred fifty-eight counselors, mid-level managers, and leaders participated in semi-structured interviews to help identify both organizational and service delivery practices associated with successful employment outcomes in the public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. Conducting comprehensive, multiple case studies is time and resource intensive and can therefore be difficult to replicate. However, the eclectic methodology utilized for this study resulted in rich results that will be helpful in informing rehabilitation research, practice, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state-federal vocational rehabilitation system is tasked to demonstrate accountability for employment outcomes of persons with disabilities. State VR agencies have sought to evaluate existing practices, and in areas that existing practices leave room for improvement, create the conditions for innovation to occur. The purpose of this article is to identify promising organizational and cultural factors that appear to promote best practices in the public vocational rehabilitation program. A multi-stage study utilizing the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) was conducted involving four high performing state VR agencies to discover emerging and promising organizational practices leading to improvements in employment outcomes of people with disabilities. The comprehensive examination revealed specific organizational practices, culture and structural elements that encourage and support the development of innovative, effective service delivery practices. Given the complexity of service provision and the increasing demand for successful outcomes, VR agencies must develop organizational cultures that facilitate transformational learning by employing evidence-based practices that lead to successful outcomes for agency consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]