Reports

The ODEP has released a brochure addressing employer concerns from a survey of 3,797 businesses across 12 industry sectors and various company sizes. Respondents reported on their beliefs about and strategies for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities. Concerns addressed in the brochure include issues with supervision, accommodations, worker’s compensation. Additionally, the brochure and technical report includes tools and resources for employers.

RTI is preparing a series of reports to document outcomes from the Systems Change grants. Divided into six parts, the first four provide an overview of the enduring improvements, continuing challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations of the 48 Research & Demonstration Grantees, organized by the four types of grants: CPASS, MFP, IP, & QA/QI. Part 5 provides summaries of the FTF Grants. Part 6 reviews the Respite for Adults and Children and Community-Based Treatment Alternatives for Children.

In September 2004 CMS provided $3.6 million to fund MHST grants to encourage states to develop mental health systems infrastructure to implement and sustain evidence-based and recovery-oriented practices. Grants were awarded to 12 states under the Systems Change grants program. This report describes the initiatives with a focus on implementation issues and challenges and how they addressed them. Four Grantees focused solely on evidence-based practices, six on recovery practices, and two on both.

The first in a series on a system change, this report is a collaborative with state developmental disability agencies. In each various location, the goal has been consistent, to create person centered systems that support person directed services. What follows is a brief overview of central ideas including: learning what is and is not working, using value-based skills to drive change, improve quality of life with skills, quality management and organizational development tools.

This second report in a series focuses on how state variation in level of experience and infrastructure to undertake large-scale transition programs can affect implementation. The authors describe differences in strategies to 1) expand transition coordination capacity 2) locate appropriate housing 3) enhance long-term supports & services 4) change Medicaid HCBS programs/policies to ensure that those who transition can remain in the community after the MFP eligibility period ends.

The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) conducted three focus groups in the Central Mississippi Planning & Development District/AAA service area. The groups gathered information from individuals with disabilities and older individuals concerning the status of HCBS programs and independent living related services. Discussion was facilitated by IDS and focused on AoA factors impacting successful ADRC implementation: visibility and trust, ease of access, responsiveness, and effectiveness.

The Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) chose to explore the use of the SIS as a resource allocation tool. This report is an overview of HSRI and other stakeholder's work in developing assessment informed funding levels. The paper begins with a description of the NOW waiver, follows with a discussion of the process employed by OCDD in collecting SIS data, presents the results, and concludes with a discussion of recent progress and lessons learned.

IPAWS is a modernization and integration of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. This paper serves to demonstrate how IPAWS addresses the challenges of reaching the whole community, including the 25% of our population who might need assistance. It offers evidence that while IPAWS doesn't solve all of the challenges, it can certainly mitigate them, particularly with greater stakeholder engagement and public awareness. Emerging technologies that could improve accessibility are reviewed.

The unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities seeking work remains well above those without disabilities, and the gap has widened further in recent years. A forum was convened to explore policy options and actions that could be taken to help adults with a current or past work history improve their participation in the workforce. This report summarizes key options and issues identified through the forum discussion and surveys conducted.

Variables that affect supported employment are profiled. The authors examine sociodemographic, health, and income characteristics of participants. They also look at employment-related activities and expectations, traits of those seeking jobs, what kinds of jobs are held, and reasons for not seeking or keeping employment. This report is the second in a series that make up the fifth Ticket to Work evaluation report.