2017-2021
Career self-management through job crafting for people with disabilities, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) ($499,975).
Principal Investigator: Vidya Sundar
Purpose: The overarching goal of this project is to develop and test an intervention program to improve positive work outcomes and facilitate job growth among people with physical and mild cognitive disabilities by using career self-management strategies. The project is a mixed methods study to develop and test a career self-management intervention based on job crafting. Job crafting is an informal, idiosyncratic, strengths-based approach where employees are constantly redefining and renegotiating their daily job tasks. Job crafting includes modifying the physical (how and where the task is performed), cognitive (meaning attached to the job task), and relational (social interactions) boundaries inherent in the job task. Anticipated outcomes for study participants include: (1) improving occupational self-efficacy and work engagement, and (2) an understanding of how the job crafting approach can be used over the long-term to problem-solve barriers and to seize opportunities for career growth.
2020-2021
CoRE Interdisciplinary Working Group, UNH Office of Research, economic engagement and outreach
Principal Investigartor: Vidya Sundar
2014-2019
Statistics and Demographics Rehabilitation and Research Training Center, U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research ($4,375,000)
PI: Andrew Houtenville
Role: Project Director
Purpose: The mission of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC) is to narrow and actively bridge the divide between the producers and end users of disability statistics, thereby supporting better data collection, more accurate information, better decision-making, more effective programs, and better lives for people with disabilities.
2014-2015
The 2015 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey, Kessler Foundation ($499,999)
PI: Andrew Houtenville
Role: Co-PI
Purpose: The Kessler Employment Survey was a nationally representative survey of over 3000 Americans with disabilities. The survey examined the unique experiences of people with disabilities and identified successful strategies used by current and former workers with disabilities to find and sustain employment. Findings from the survey can inform development of new programs and policies to support persons with disabilities to reach their employment goals.
2010-2015
Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation and Research Training Center 2, U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research ($4,250,000)
PI: Andrew Houtenville
Role: Project Director
Purpose: The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Policy and Measurement (EPM-RRTC) is (a) investigating the impact of federal and state policies and programs on employment, paying particular attention to the effects of program interactions, (b) examining new ways of measuring employment outcomes, and (c) facilitating the translation of research findings to guide policymaking and program administration.
2009-2014
Greater Nashua Services in Supported Housing Project, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ($2,000,000)
Role: Lead researcher & evaluator
Purpose: To provide intensive outpatient substance use treatment and recovery services to individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders and to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practices to support recovery.
2011-2014
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community and Independent Living, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (University of New Hampshire Subcontract: $100,000)
Role: Researcher
Purpose: To examine the role of environmental and socio-demographic factors in community participation among individuals with disabilities; a secondary data analysis using the American Community Survey five-year pooled data.
2007-2010
Gaining Access to What Students Know, US Department of Education ($1,000,000).
Role: Program Evaluator
Purpose: To refine and develop appropriate accommodations to the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP).
2007-2010
Youth Empowerment Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities ($434,548).
Role: Lead Researcher and Program Evaluator
Purpose: To conduct youth leadership series focused on developing self-efficacy, and self-advocacy skills that improve employment, transportation, health, and housing policies and outcomes.
2007-2010
Transitions in Caregiving, Administration in Aging ($2,075,357)
Role: Lead Researcher and Program Evaluator
Purpose: To develop an infrastructure to implement consumer directed service model to aid nursing home diversion for older adults in NH.