Thread by @reveal

1/ @readfrontier and @StateImpactOK are shining new light on the troubled world of work-based rehabs.

This time, it's Firstep, a program in Oklahoma.

Read their brand-new investigation: readfrontier.org/stories/workin…

2/ Former Firstep clients say it kept or attempted to take a portion of their disability benefits from workers’ compensation insurance after they were injured on the job.

That could violate state law.

3/ This is what happened to Dustin Misener. After he was injured on the job, Firstep kept most of his first disability check and asked him to leave the program.

4/ “I just handed it to them you know and didn’t think nothing of it, not realizing that they were just trying to get my money,” he said.

5/ Firstep is also the subject of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor over how much the nonprofit deducts from its clients' wages for expenses like food and lodging.

6/ Read the full story from @briOKC and @joewertz above, and listen to an audio version from @StateImpactOK here: soundcloud.com/stateimpactok/…

7/ This story grew out of a tip we collected as part of our ongoing reporting on work-based rehabs across the U.S.

The first report, from @amyjharris and @shoeshine, is here: revealnews.org/article/they-t…

8/ There are a lot of rehabs like this out there. But the problem is, no one knows how many – or where they are. We're trying to change that.

If you want to help investigate work-based rehabs near you, sign up for our Rehab Reporting Network: revealnews.org/network

9/ And if you have firsthand experience with a rehab that required you to work in exchange for treatment, we want to hear about it.

Tell us your story here: reveal.forms.fm/what-s-your-ex…

10/ We're going to keep investigating this issue – and spotlighting other news outlets that are doing the same.

To keep up with our work, subscribe to the newsletter: revealnews.org/newsletter