2021 ICAP Projects

In April of 2021, we published a Request For Applications (RFA) for ICAP. On September 30, 2021, SSA made the first awards for the Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program (ICAP). Awards went to the Kessler Foundation and the State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

We awarded $3,000,000 to the Kessler Foundation to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a Vocational Resource Facilitation Demonstration (VRFD) employment intervention for adults who have experienced a brain injury or spinal cord injury. The intervention model proposed blends the principles of early intervention services and the principles of individualized placement and support. The target study population will be individuals admitted to the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey after acquiring a brain injury or spinal cord injury. The treatment group will receive VRFD services and the control group will be referred to the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services at hospital discharge. The goal of the RCT evaluation is to provide best possible evidence on the replicability, sustainability, and effectiveness of VRF services.

We awarded $1,300,000 to the State of Georgia's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to conduct a feasibility study of the implementation of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model in county jails with inmates with serious and persistent mental illness across the state, the SOAR in Georgia County Jails Pilot (SGCJP). The intervention will help inmates in four county jails with serious and persistent mental illness apply for SSI/SSDI benefits if they are eligible. The proposed evaluation of the intervention is a mixed method feasibility and process study. The intervention will utilize a forensic peer mentor and two benefits specialists trained in the SOAR method for application development. The proposed evaluation will include a feasibility study to determine the necessary processes, policies, procedures, and waivers necessary to successfully assist county jail inmates with serious and persistent mental illness. It will also include both qualitative and quantitative analysis of outcomes of interest including the number of successfully approved applications, recidivism rates for approved applicants, mental health, employment, and other measures of stability.