Tools and Resources

Beyond Implementation: Planning for Sustainability: A Brief From Your RETAIN Technical Assistance Provider 

This resource provides an overview of the importance of program adaptability and offers strategies supporting key aspects of program sustainability. It also provides examples of sustainability frameworks to help guide and measure sustainability efforts. 

Link: Beyond Implementation: Planning for Sustainability  

Sustainability Readiness Toolkit 

This toolkit offers a variety of tools that are designed to be used to support initial sustainability planning activities or to enhance existing planning activities. This toolkit draws on sustainability frameworks and research identified in the Beyond Implementation: Planning for Sustainability brief.

Link: Sustainability Readiness Toolkit

Operational Planning and Implementation Guidance Checklist (OPIG)

This resource is designed to guide and support RETAIN states in operational and initial implementation planning. The checklist is divided into 14 categories demonstrated to be key to ensuring readiness for implementation. 

Link: Operational Planning and Implementation Guidance Checklist

RETAIN Resource: Root Cause Analysis Process Handout and Worksheet

This resource is a video that guides RETAIN programs through the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process using the “5 Whys” strategy.  It uses examples to illustrate how RCA might be applied in a RETAIN setting.  The video is accompanied by a handout which include the steps and content aligned with the example depicted in the video, and a worksheet with a second RCA example and guiding questions for your RETAIN team to consider as you conduct an RCA. These resources are designed to support your continuous quality improvement efforts. 

SAW/RTW After a Mental Illness or Injury: Supporting RETAIN Participants With Mental Health Conditions

This brief provides an overview of the impact of mental illness on employees in the workplace, and offers strategies that RETAIN programs can implement to help support the employment goals of participants who are experiencing mental health challenges.

Mental Health Continuum Model

This resource provides information about and considerations for the Mental Health Continuum Model for RETAIN States. This model acknowledges that every conscious human being has certain thoughts and emotions and engages in certain behaviors both when life is going well and when it is not.

Link: Mental Health Continuum Model

Virtual Service Delivery Resources

These resources offer strategies and considerations for RETAIN states that are considering developing, continuing or expanding virtual services in their RETAIN projects.

Virtual Service Delivery Definitions for Use in RETAIN TA
These definitions were developed to create a shared understanding within RETAIN

Creating a Positive Virtual Experience for Your RETAIN Participants

This tip sheet offers considerations for RETAIN states that are starting or expanding virtual service delivery in the workforce or health components of their projects. It provides strategies to help create positive experiences for RETAIN participants.

Using Technology to Support RETAIN Program Implementation
This tip sheet describes options for tools that may be integrated into RETAIN projects to support implementation and collaboration with project partners. 

Best Practices for Virtual Learning
This tip sheet provides strategies based on adult learning principles and offers best practices to help develop meaningful virtual learning and professional development opportunities.

RETAIN at Work: Success Stories – July 2020

Developed collaboratively with RETAIN grantees, these eight narratives illustrate RETAIN state accomplishments at both the project and individual level. Several explore programmatic strategies for other states to consider implementing, while others profile RETAIN staff members and individuals who were helped by the program. 

Link: RETAIN at Work: Success Stories - July 2020

A Research-to-Practice Brief from RETAIN Technical Assistance Provider

This brief presents key research highlights of four return-to-work barriers that injured or ill individuals commonly experience: injury characteristics, individual perceptions of injury and other psychological characteristics, health care and rehabilitation issues, and workplace issues. The brief also provides an overview of strategies for overcoming these barriers.

Link: Barriers to Return to Work Issue Brief

Programmatic Considerations for Making Decisions About Sample Size Targets and Targeting Workers for RETAIN

This document outlines programmatic considerations and approaches for meeting sample size targets for Phase 1 and planning for Phase 2. In addition, it provides guidance on designing effective targeting to recruit and enroll workers most likely to benefit from RETAIN.

Link: Programmatic Considerations for Making Decisions about Sample Size Targets and Targeting Workers for RETAIN  

RETAIN Resource: Continuous Quality Improvement Strategies

This resource provides RETAIN demonstration projects with an in-depth look at continuous quality improvement (CQI), including processes, activities, and the identification of the root causes of problems.

Link: Continuous Quality Improvement Strategies