Employment Programs

In 2010, a national Internet survey aimed to capture the perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and their family caregivers. The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey focused on issues including educational, housing, employment and support needs of people with ID/DD and their families. Data analysis was conducted by the Institute's Research and Training Center on Community Living; review the technical report on the survey.

How does the state of Virginia measure how financial incentives affect disabled workers' decision to work? To learn more, read this report which features a model used to predict behavior of individuals, budget costs, and related savings of the Virginia Medicaid Works program, along with the well-being of affected individuals. This frame-work will also be used to predict how proposed changes in the Medicaid Works program would affect behavior.

How is the state of Virginia working to better understand its Medicaid program's efficacy? This report aims to develop a framework to understand the incentive effects of the Virginia Medicaid Works program that provides disabled Medicaid recipients the option to earn higher income while ensuring continued Medicaid coverage. By decoupling labor market decisions from Medicaid receipt, the primary objective of the Works program is to increase the employment and earnings of disabled recipients.

The Alternative State Application Program is a program designed to appoint qualified persons with disabilities through an on-the-job examination period. Attached is a presentation on the program put out by Utah's Work Ability. The presentation includes information on positions available, eligibility, the application process, and more.

This Power Point presentation was put out by Utah's Work Ability for the fall Employer Workshop. The presentation educates consumers, families, and professionals on the Americans with Disabilities Act, available technology, agency services and supports, and more and how they can all be used as valuable resources to help the deaf and hard of hearing.

How does the state of South Dakota provide outreach, including personal testimonials, important suggestions, and resources to individuals with disabilities seeking to maintain their benefits while also working? This July 2010 newsletter is one example of MIG outreach work being done in the state in order to provide these services. May be replicable by other states seeking to reach out to similar demographics.

On September 1 & 2 2010, over 50 stakeholders representing service providers, families, advocates and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities came together at Oregon's Silver Falls Conference Center for the Employment First Summit, the kick-off event for the Employment First Outreach Project. Employment First's goal is full employment for working age adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oregon. To learn more, explore this paper with recommendations.

New Jersey's DiscoverAbility operates with the mission of providing resources, networking opportunities and ongoing professional development to staff working in the field of disability employment. To access webinars, articles, and other important resources, explore their website. Also attached is an example of outreach work - a staff scholarship opportunity, providing five employees with the ability to attend a training conference. May be replicable by other MIG states.

Serving as a single point of entry, the Project SEARCH program provides a comprehensive approach to employment, retention, and career advancement for individuals with disabilities transitioning from high school. New Hampshires' goal is to begin training the first Project SEARCH group of 12 student interns for the full school year starting in September 2011 and graduating that group in June 2012.

The state of New Hampshire's Granite State Employment Project presents Employment Leadership Award to employers who demonstrate leadership in their commitment to employing workers with disabilities in order to provide them with earned recognition as well as to share their success stories to raise awareness among other employers. May be replicable by other states seeking to provide MIG outreach and recognition.