The Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN KY) Team recently participated in the Kentucky State Fair to raise awareness about a Department of Labor funded research study that examines how an early, intensive vocational intervention impacts recovery and the likelihood of remaining employed for people with non-work related injuries, illnesses or impairments.
Lynn Robbins, Nurse Navigator for RETAIN at UofL Health, organized the effort and coordinated booth staffing by RETAIN team members including Bethaney Curry, Kristina Kirk, Paula Kinzer, Michelle Graham-Smith, John Victor, Derek Vincent, and Mackenzie Wilson.
RETAIN Kentucky services are free to participants who receive support to identify their stay-at-work and return-to-work goals and connections to community resources, as needed.
Eligibility criteria to participate in RETAIN Kentucky research study are:
- 18 years of age and older
- Kentucky resident
- employed now OR employed in the last 12 months
- have a non-work related illness, injury or impairment that could prevent them from keeping OR getting a job
- not currently receiving SSI or SSDI OR not applied for SSI or SSDI in the last three years
RETAIN Kentucky also works with employees, employers and healthcare providers to address issues related to successful return-to-work and stay-at-work. This study aims to build capacity, provide direct services, and embed practices that will continue to improve employment outcomes long after the funded project ends.
Participants can enroll in the study through March 2024. Individuals interested in RETAIN Kentucky can get more information by visiting www.kyretain.org, emailing RETAIN@uky.edu or calling (859) 562-3251.
RETAIN Kentucky is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and implemented by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training and the University of Kentucky. Project partners include the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board, local Workforce Development Boards, UofL Health, UK HealthCare, The Council of State Governments, Kentucky Department for Public Health, Kentucky Hospital Association, and Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
