Ohio DOE New Requirements for Secondary Transition Services for Students with Disabilities: FAQs (2012)
The New Requirements state that IEPs must start at age 14, update annually and contain,
“Appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education and independent living skills; Appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to employment in a competitive environment in which workers are integrated regardless of disability; and The transition services including courses of study, needed to assist the child in reaching the goals described [above]…”
New York OPWDD Statewide Comprehensive Plan (2012-2016)
October 2010 report indicating that “OPWDD is promoting Employment First as a preferred outcome for all people with developmental disabilities.
OPWDD continues its efforts to greatly expand the number of people with developmental disabilities who are employed and earning at least minimum wage. Individuals with disabilities must have opportunities to work in the community with people who do not have disabilities, and earn wages that are at or above minimum wage. As of July 2012, participation in supported employment programs grew to over 9,800 people, and OPWDD’s goal is to achieve continued growth through various initiatives.
DC Department on Disability Services: Employment First, Employment Learning Community (ELC)
“As part of a competitive application process, the District was selected to receive technical assistance through the Employment Learning Community (ELC). A project of the Institute for Community Inclusion in partnership with The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services and TransCen, Inc, the ELC will provide significant technical assistance on ways to implement Employment First in the District as well as networking and learning opportunities from those other states selected to participate.”
Maine Worker’s Compensation Board Memorandum of Understanding
“DVR and the WCB’s commitment to work together to improve services and employment outcomes for individuals who, as a result of injury are in need of vocational rehabilitation services to return to employment”
“It is the policy of the Board that in the development and implementation of policies and procedures and the delivery of services, the Department and CSBs shall ensure that community-based individual supported employment in integrated work settings is presented as the first and priority service option among available day service options offered by case managers and support coordinators to individuals receiving mental health, developmental, or substance abuse day support or employment services and shall expand access to integrated, community-based employment opportunities for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, intellectual disability, or co-occurring disabilities…”
Kansas Dept. for Children and Families, Rehabilitation Services: Employment Services
Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services are the cornerstone of our efforts to empower Kansans with disabilities to become gainfully employed and self-sufficient.
When people with disabilities are employed, everyone wins.
People with disabilities who become employed spend their earnings in local communities on housing, groceries, transportation . . . on life. They contribute as tax payers. Reliance on public assistance is reduced.
Employment of people with disabilities is good for Kansas businesses and industries. They have access to qualified employees to meet their workforce needs in a competitive marketplace.
It’s good for the economy. For each dollar earned as a result of a VR placement, there is about $1.66 in total earnings generated through the economy, according to a study done by Wichita State University. Further, for each person employed through VR, there are about 1.85 total jobs created in the overall economy.
If you have a disability and you want to work, please contact us.
The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) was a three-year federal grant-funded program to improve education, training, employment opportunities, and employment outcomes for youth who were unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. In 2010, the Delaware Department of La or Division of Vocational Rehabilitation was awarded a Round 1 DEI grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration.
The departments allocating staff to this project included the Department of Education, Division of Employment and Training, Department of Health and Human Services, Divisions of Developmental Disabilities Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and Technical &Community Colleges. The project ended in 2013.
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council Five Year Plan
“Goals & Objectives
Every State Council creates a five year comprehensive state plan to address the primary needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers in their home state. The plan is developed with deep input from the community and a robust public comment period. The current state plan runs from Federal Fiscal Year 2022-2026 and includes the following five priority areas:
GOAL ONE: Community Living – Access to Services
Outcome: More Colorado children, adults with IDD of all backgrounds, and their families, will have the individualized services and supports needed to fully participate in the community.
GOAL TWO: Lifelong Learning
Outcome: More Coloradans with IDD of all backgrounds and their families have opportunities to benefit from lifelong learning.
GOAL THREE: Integrated Housing and Employment
Outcome: Coloradans with IDD of all backgrounds and their families have increased capacity to obtain integrated housing within the community and competitive integrated employment.
GOAL FOUR: Belonging – Social and Community Support
Outcome: Coloradans with IDD of all backgrounds and their families experience improved well-being, increased belonging, building meaningful relationships, and planning for the future.
GOAL FIVE: Emergent Needs
Outcome: Develop strategies to address additional emerging issues that impede capacity of families and Coloradans with intellectual or developmental disabilities to experience inclusion, integration, or opportunities to participate in all aspects of life within the community at-large. Identified Issues:
Refugee resettlement and newcomer community needs for people with IDD and their families;
Rapid rehousing initiative for unhoused people with IDD in Denver; and
Emergency Preparedness for people with IDD and their families.”
This position paper represents a statewide initiative sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance on Full Participation to promote the values and principles of Employment First.
The State of North Carolina shall implement Employment First policies and practices. Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all citizens with disabilities regardless of level of disability, in a job of their choosing with supports and accommodations provided as necessary to achieve and maintain employment.
New Jersey DHS DDD: Upcoming Changes to Policy on Funding of Sheltered Workshops (2013)
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has begun to phase-out funding for services provided in sheltered workshop settings (also referred to as “extended employment” or “sheltered employment”). As part of the first phase of this reform, the Supports Program, a new program in development at DDD that is expected to begin in FY2014, will not provide funding for services in these settings. Additionally, funding for these services will be phased-out of DDD’s Community Care Waiver (CCW) over the next twelve to eighteen months.
