Employment Programs

The presentations from the November 2007 F/EA Workshop are now available. Topics included Promising Practices in Workers’ Compensation, CMS Policies, the Role of Reporting Agents in the Provision, plus Government and Vendor F/EA Operations, Design and Implementation Issues. Review the presentations by states, vendors and subject matter experts.

A series of presentations, funded by the MI-CEO grant, discuss a variety of issues related to the employment of people with disabilities in Massachusetts. Topics covered include: rates of unemployment, barriers to employment, ways to overcome barriers, the relationship of programs and services (e.g., MassHealth and Medicaid Buy-In) to employment efforts, recommendations from agency leaders, and implications for MI-CEO.

Developed by the MI–CEO Grant, a report on the employment of people with disabilities in Massachusetts intends to provide people with disabilities, advocates, policymakers, researchers and other interested parties an overview of the status and trends in employment of people with disabilities. Another report uses new longitudinal, person-level data to support the analysis of the Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) programs in Massachusetts.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) monitored 23 state vocational rehabilitation agencies in fiscal year 2007. These agencies, their stakeholders, and RSA identified promising practices that promote youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment. Summaries of these practices are on the U.S. Department of Education’s website and include examples of leveraging resources, college and career preparation programs, and collaboration and partnerships among other practices.

This report reviews issues integral to the employment of people with disabilities. It has two broad aims: 1) to summarize existing knowledge regarding employment of people with disabilities; and 2) to present new information on the perspectives of employers, people with disabilities, and disability specialists on key barriers and facilitators of employment. The National Council on Disability offers recommendations to supplement best practices and existing public policies and initiatives.

The brief reports findings of a survey to assess how many Kansas Working Healthy Medicaid Buy-In participants would likely increase their employment and earnings under a gradual Social Security Disability Insurance offset program. 25% of the respondents would try to work and earn more if this program was available and 25% maybe would do so. Researchers suggest benefit offset programs coupled with existing Medicaid Buy-In programs have potential to increase employment and earnings for people.

The Job Accommodation Network: JAN Fact Sheet reports findings from over 1,000 employers interviewed between Jan '04 and Dec '06. Findings include the following: employers want to provide accommodations so they can retain valued and qualified employees, most employers report no cost or low cost for accommodating employees with disabilities, employers report accommodations are effective and employers experience multiple direct and indirect benefits after making accommodations.

Delaware has helped several adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) work alongside people without disabilities, using both supported and competitive employment. The state emphasizes early transition planning for youth graduating from the school system. It also provides additional hours of support for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver participants with a history of significantly challenging behaviors. Over 50 waiver participants with ASD are employed in the community.

Connecticut is operating a state-funded home and community based services pilot program to help adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) gain the skills to become contributing members of the workforce. The program serves people with ASD who do not qualify for the State’s Medicaid home and community-based services waivers. This pilot program targets individuals who need continued supports to pursue employment opportunities and improve their independent living.

The Arkansas MIG grantees developed a number of resources to spread the word about the ways that people with a disability or severe long-term illness can work. The program designed brochures, posters, newspaper ads, coffee mugs, t-shirts, magnets, and table displays all designed for agency workers, consumers, advocates.