Development and evaluation of a strength-based method to promote employment of work-disability benefit recipients with multiple problems:A feasibility study

Background For people with disabilities, chances to find or keep work are negatively affected by multiple problems like lower education, poverty and poor health. Furthermore, although active labour market policies proved to be effective for unemployed in general, success rates are poor for persons who are unemployed due to multiple problems. The present study aims to describe the development of a method as well as professional training to teach its application, and to assess the feasibility of method and training. The Strength-based method (CARm) aims to promote employment of work-disability benefit recipients with multiple problems. Methods The main principles of the Strength model were redesigned for better applicability in a population of work-disability beneficiaries, resulting in the CARm method. As part of the CARm method, a training module for Labour Experts (LEs) was developed. To assess the new designed method and training, a one-group, pre-post design was used. Data were collected from eight participating LEs, five female and 3 male, aged between 41and 55 years and having 2–17 years working experience. We used self-report questionnaires and a semi-structured discussion meeting after the training sessions with the LEs. Results Eight labour experts (LEs) from the Dutch Social Security Institute participated in the study. Most LEs felt an improvement in their ability to ascertain developmental needs, opportunities and threats in the client’s situation. Three months after the training, LEs almost unanimously agreed on the statements ‘I expect to use the CARm method more frequently in the future’ and ‘I use the CARm method in daily practice whenever possible’. The overall rating for the training on a scale from 1 to 10 was 7.6 (range 7–9). The overall satisfaction with the trainers was good. Conclusions The CARm method and training was found to be a feasible approach to facilitate LEs working at the UWV reintegration service to support clients with multiple problems. Sufficient managerial support for participating LEs is a key factor for successful implementation of CARm. Results show that CARm is worth testing for efficacy in a future trial

Feasibility of family group conference to promote return-to-work of persons receiving work disability benefit

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of Family Group Conference for promoting return to work by clients receiving work disability benefits from the Social Security Institute in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted a mixed-method pre- post-intervention feasibility study, using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and return to work plans drafted in Family Group Conferences. A convenient sample of Labour experts, Clients, and Facilitators was followed for a period of six months. Feasibility outcomes were demand, acceptability, implementation and limited efficacy of perceived mental health and level of participation. Results: Fourteen labour experts and sixteen facilitators enrolled in the study. Of 28 eligible clients, nine (32%) participated in a Family Group Conference. About 78% of the Family Group Conferences were implemented as planned. Participant satisfaction about Family Group Conference was good (mean score 7). Perceived mental health and level of participation improved slightly during follow-up. Most actions in the return to work plans were work related. Most frequently chosen to take action was the participating client himself, supported by significant others in his or her social network. Six months after the Family Group Conference five participating clients returned to paid or voluntary work. Conclusions: Family Group Conference seems a feasible intervention to promote return to work by clients on work disability benefit. Involvement of the social network may have added value to support the clients in this process. An effectiveness study to further develop and test Family Group Conferences is recommended

Growing Grain for Others or How to Detect surplus Production?

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Rapportage Archeologische Begeleiding Retentiebassin "Craaienhof". Nedereindsestraat te Kesteren

In januari 2002 heeft een archeologische begeleiding plaatsgevonden bij de aanleg van een retentievijver voor de nieuwbouwwijk Craaienhof aan de Nedereindsestraat in Kesteren. De archeologische begeleiding is in nauw overleg met de ROB uitgevoerd. De onderzoeksstrategie is bepaald aan de hand van een Programma van Eisen van W.J.H. Venders (22/10/01). De voornaamste vraagstelling van het onderzoek was het traceren van de begrenzing van een groter nederzettingsareaal, dat al vanaf de jaren 70 van de vorige eeuw door de ROB aan onderzoek onderworpen is geweest. Tijdens het onderzoek is een verlandde riviergeul, ookwel crevasse genaamd, aangetroffen. In de vulling en ten weerszijden van de geul zijn bewoningssporen aangetroffen uit de Late Ijzertijd en de Romeinse Tijd. Ten westen van de geul is bewoning aangetroffen met een ruraal karakter, waarschijnlijk onderdeel van de vicus die bij het castellum Carvo heeft gelegen. Ten oosten van de crevasse is een beschoeiing aangetroffen met een bedding die volgestort was met afval met een militair karakter (uitsluitend importmateriaal en veel militaria zoals wapentuig en uitrustingsstukken). Na het verlanden van de crevasse is er in de 12e eeuw een woerd aangelegd op een deel van het vicusterrein. In de 14e of 15e eeuw is daarop een stenen huis, waarschijnlijk een boerderij, gebouwd. De boerderij moet in de 17e eeuw zijn afgebroken. Het puin van dit gebouw is als opvulling gebruikt voor de 'terpsloot'. Het geheel maakt deel uit van de latere boerderij 'de Craaienhof', dat een veel groter areaal beslaat. Op dit areaal is in 2001 een woonwijk aangelegd. Het retentiebassin was de afronding van bouw. Op grond van het archeologisch onderzoek kan geconcludeerd worden, dat het zowel het vicusterrein en het castellum zich uitstrekken onder de nieuwbouwwijk. Het verdient aanbeveling om bij toekomstig grondverzet ter plaatse van 'de Craaienhof' archeologisch onderzoek te verrichten om de vraagstelling uit het Programma van Eisen te kunnen beantwoorden

Raised bed agriculture in northwest Europe triggered by climatic change around 850 BC: a hypothesis

A sudden decline of solar activity around 850 calendar years BC caused a shift to a cool and wet climate in northwest Europe. Food production suddenly became problematic because of shorter, wetter growing seasons and increased night frost. This climate change triggered innovation and the development of a new agricultural system in continental northwestern Europe: arable farming on raised beds (Celtic field banks) laid out in a more or less checked pattern. This kind of agriculture mitigated the effects of the climate shift by providing better drainage and lessening damage by night frost and thus lengthening the growing season. Once the advantages of this kind of cultivation, soil enrichment and optimum root growth besides the hydrological effects, became obvious it will have been practised on a large scale and introduced when people thought it useful, independent of the local hydrological situation