Staff Member
Jennifer McDonough, M.S., CRC
Principal Investigator for VCU's Autism Center for Education and Co-principal Investigator for the RRTC on Employment for Individuals with IDD
jltodd@vcu.edu | 804-828-6984
Jennifer Todd McDonough has been a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and working in the field of employment for people with disabilities for over 25 years. She earned her M.S. from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in Rehabilitation Counseling. Ms. McDonough is the Director of Training at VCU-RRTC. She is also the Project Director for a national research study related to employment for individuals with IDD and a subcontract related to providing technical assistance to vocational rehabilitation agencies across the country. Ms. McDonough serves as the business liaison for the RRTC and assists with building business relationships to improve competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, Ms. McDonough provides technical assistance and disseminates resources nationally to individuals with disabilities interested in employment. Ms. McDonough is a national expert on Social Security Disability Benefits and Work Incentives. She also serves as the Virginia Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator and directly oversees four Project SEARCH sites for youth with autism and/or intellectual disabilities. Throughout her career with VCU-RRTC, Ms. McDonough has worked directly with individuals with disabilities assisting them in locating employment and determining accommodation needs.
Projects
VCU-ASD Career Links (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
VCU-RRTC on Employer Practices for Individuals with Disabilities
https://ep.vcurrtc.org/index.cfm
VCU-RRTC on Employment of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Publications
Articles:
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Graham, C., Brooke, V., Riehle, E., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Lau, S., Allen, J. & Avellone, L. (2017). Effects of an employer-based intervention on employment outcomes for youth with significant support needs due to autism. Autism, 21(3), 276–290.
Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Lau, S., Seward, H. & Avellone, L. (2016). Employment for adults with autism spectrum disorders: A retrospective review of a customized employment approach. Research in Developmental Disabilities, , 61-72.
Schall, C., Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Graham, C., McDonough, J., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Rounds, R., Lau, S. & Allen, J. (2015). Employment Interventions for Individuals with ASD: The Relative Efficacy of Supported Employment With or Without Prior Project SEARCH Training. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3990–4001.
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Kregel, J., Brooke, V., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Graham, C., Riehle, E., Collins, H. & Thiss, W. (2014). Competitive Employment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Early Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(3), 487–500.
Schall,
C., Wehman,
P.
&
McDonough,
J.
(2012).
Transition from school to work for students with ASD; Understanding the process and achieving better outcomes.
Pediatric Clinics of North America,
29(1),
189-202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2011.10.009
Additional Publications:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05634-8
Schall, C., Karpur, A., Brooke, V, McDonough, J., & Wehman, P. (Under Review). Employees with ASD and success in employment prior to and during COVID-19: Qualitative case study. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals.
McDonough, J., Wehman, P., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Wright, T., Godwin, J. & Junod, P. (In Press). A Case Study of Exemplary Employment Practices for Persons with Disabilities in a Large Multi-Site Health Care Organization. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education.
Wehman, P., Schall, C., Avellone, L., Brooke, A. M., Brooke, V., McDonough, J., & Whittenburg, H. (2021). Achieving competitive integrated employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In L. M. Glidden, L. Abbeduto, L. L. McIntyre, & M. J. Tassé (Eds.), APA handbooks in psychology® series. APA handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities: Clinical and educational implications: Prevention, intervention, and treatment (Vol. 2, p. 333–355). American Psychological Association.
Wehman, P., Sima, A., Iwanaga, K., McDonough, J., Brooke, A., Godwin, J., Junod, P., Ham, W. & Brooke, V. (2021). Organizational factors influencing coworkers' attitudes toward employees with disabilities: A hierarchical regression analysis. Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education. 25(2), 83-93.
McDonough, J., Ham, W., Brooke, A., Wehman, P., Wright, T., Godwin, J., Junod, P.& Hurst, R. (2021). Health Care Executive Perceptions of Hiring and Retention Practices of People with Disabilities: Results from Executive Focus Groups. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. 64(2):75-85.
Schall, C., Sima, A. P., Avellone, L. Wehman, P., McDonough, J., & Brown, A. (2020) The effect of business internships model and employment on enhancing the independence of young adults with significant impact from autism. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 58(4), 301-313.
Wright, T., Wehman, P., McDonough, J., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Godwin, J., & Junod, P. (2020). Charity-Oriented versus Human Resource-Oriented Perspectives: Investigating Staff Understandings of Employment Practices for Persons with Disabilities. Journal of Applied Rehab Counseling, 51, 146-167.
Wehman, P., Iwanaga, K., Sima, A., McDonough, J., Chan, F., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Godwin, J. & Junod, P. (2020) Assessing attitudes of hospital staff toward working with co-workers with disabilities: A preliminary study. Journal of Rehabilitation. 86(4), 14-21.
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Sima, A., Brooke, A, Ham, W., Whittenburg, H., Brooke, V., Avellone, L., & Reihle, E. (2020). Competitive employment for transition-aged youth with significant impact from autism: A multi-site randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 50(6), 1882?1897.
Whittenburg, H. N., Schall, C. M., Wehman, P., McDonough, J., & DuBois, T. (2019). Helping high school-aged military dependents with autism gain employment through Project SEARCH + ASD Supports. Military Medicine, 185,(S1), 663-668.
Wehman, P., Ham, W., Whittenberg, H., Avellone, L., & McDonough, J. (2019). Assessment in transition from school to work and the community. In D. Strauser, T. Tansey, & F. Chan (Eds.), Assessment in rehabilitation and mental health counseling (pp.283-306).
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Sima, A., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Whittenburg, H., Brooke, V., Avellone, L., & Riehle, E. (2019). Competitive employment for transition-aged youth with significant impact from autism: A multi-site randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance online publication.
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Sima, A., Brooke, A, Ham, W., Whittenburg, H., Brooke, V., Avellone, L., & Riehle, E. (2019). Competitive employment for transition-aged youth with significant impact from autism: A multi-site randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Brooke, V., Brooke, A., Schall, C., Wehman, P., McDonough, J., Thompson, K., & Smith, J. (2018). Employees with autism spectrum disorder achieving long-term employment success: A retrospective review of employment retention and intervention. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities,
Wehman, P., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Graham, C., Brooke, V., Riehle, J. E., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Lau, S., Allen, J., & Avellone, L. (2016). Effects of an employer based intervention on employment outcomes for youth with significant support needs due to autism. Autism, 21(3), 276-290.
Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Brooke, A. M., Ham, W., Schall, C., McDonough, J., Avellone, L. (2016). Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Retrospective review of a Customized Employment Approach. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 53-54, 61-72.
Schall, C. M., Wehman, P., Brooke, V., Graham, C., McDonough, J., Brooke, A., Ham, W., Rounds, R., Lau, S., Allen, J. (2015). Employment interventions for individuals with ASD: The relative efficacy of supported employment with or without prior Project SEARCH training. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Gentry, T., Wehman, P., McDonough, J., Kriner, R., & Sima, A. (2015). Reducing the Need for Personal Supports Among Workers with Autism Using an iPod Touch as an Assistive Technology: Delayed Randomized Control Trial Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 669-684.
Wehman, P. H., Schall, C. M., McDonough, J., Kregel, J., Brooke, V., Molinelli, A., Ham, W., Graham, C. W., Riehle, J. E., Collins, H. T., & Thiss, W. (2014). Competitive employment for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Early results from a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 487-500.
Ham, W., McDonough, J., Molinelli, A., Schall, C., & Wehman, P. (2014). Employment supports for young adults with autism spectrum disorder: Two case studies. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(2), 117-124.
Wehman, P. H., Schall, C. M., McDonough, J., Molinelli, A., Riehle, E., Ham, W., & Thiss, W. (2013). Project SEARCH for youth with autism spectrum disorders: Increasing competitive employment upon transition from high school. The Journal of Positive Behavior Intervention.15(3):144-155.
Schall, C. M., Wehman, P., & McDonough, J. (2012). Transition from school to work for students with ASD; Understanding the process and achieving better outcomes. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 29(1), 189-202.
Schall, C. M. & McDonough, J. T. (2010). Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: Characteristics and Issues. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 32, 81-88.
Wehman, P. & McDonough, J. (2009). What Counselors Should Know about School to Work Transition. In Marini, I., & Stebnicki, M. (Eds.). The professional counselors’ desk reference. New York: Springer Publishing.
Brooke, V. & McDonough, J. (2009). The Facts Ma’am, Just the Facts: Social Security disability benefits programs and work incentives. TEACHING Exceptional Children.
Brooke, V. & McDonough, J. (2009). Social Security and Work Incentives. In Wehman, P. (Eds.) Individual Transition Plans: The teacher’s curriculum guide for helping youth with special needs. Austin: Pro-Ed.
McDonough, J. (2007). Customized Employment Q & A: Addressing Concerns Related to Losing Social Security and Health Care Benefits. Richmond: Virginia Commonwealth University, Training and Technical Assistance for Providers.
Brooke, V. & McDonough, J. (2007). The impact of employment on people with disabilities receiving Social Security Administration benefits. In Wehman, P., Inge, K. J., Revell, W.G., & Brooke, V. (Eds.). Real Work for Real Pay: Inclusive Employment for People with Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Brooke, V., McDonough, J., & Hardy, S. (2006). Benefit Specialists: Key resources for supporting the use of Social Security work incentives to fund assistive technology. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 10(2), 121-126.
Miller, L., Uttermohlen, T., Hardy, S., & McDonough, J. (2006). Your Benefits, Your Future, Your Responsibility: A benefits literacy curriculum for beneficiaries of the Social Security disability programs. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Youth Transition Demonstration Technical Assistance Office.
McDonough, J.T., Brooke, V., Wehman, P., & Unger, D. (Eds.) (2002), Employers’ views of workplace supports: Virginia Commonwealth University Charter Business Roundtable’s national study of employers’ experiences with workers with disabilities – a study guide for human resource managers. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Green, J. H., McDonough, J. T., Moore, K., Stapleton, J. A., & DesBiens, M. (2002). Tapping new talent for business. (Newsletter Ed.: Brooke and Wehman) Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports. 1, 3.
McGrath, W., Brooke, V., O’Mara, S., McDonough, J. T., & Getzel, E. (Eds.), (2002). Planning for success: Supplemental Security Income and Age 18 Disability Redetermination. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Strobel, W. & McDonough, J. (2001). Workplace Personal Assistance Services and Assistive Technology. In E. Turner, G. Revell, & V. Brooke (Eds.), Personal Assistance in the Workplace (pp. 59-68). Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Inge, K., Strobel, W., Wehman, P., Todd, J., & Targett, P. (2000). Vocational outcomes for persons with severe physical disabilities: Design and implementation of assistive technology and workplace supports. NeuroRehabilitation.
Inge, K. J., Strobel, W., Wehman, P., Todd, J., & Targett, P. (1999). Vocational outcomes for individuals with significant physical disabilities: Design and implementation of workplace supports. In: G. Revell, K. Inge, D. Mank, & P. Wehman (Eds.) The impact of supported employment for people with significant disabilities: Preliminary findings from the National Supported Employment Consortium. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Green, J.H., Brooke, V., Todd, J., Hewett, M. (1999). Tapping new talent for business. (Newsletter Ed.: Brooke and Wehman) Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports. 1, 1.
Rumrill, P., Todd, J., & Green, H. (1999). Reasonable accommodations & the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Fact Sheet Ed. Brooke and Hortum) Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports.
Inge, K. J., Wehman, P., Strobel, W., Powell, D., & Todd, J. (1998). Supported employment and assistive technology for persons with spinal cord injury: Three illustrations of successful work supports. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 10(2), 141-152.