Grant Revell

Accessing employment supports in the adult system for transitioning youth with autism spectrum disorders

Effective transition from school to the adult community and employment for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) requires knowledge of an array of state and community agencies and organizations. This paper provided an overview of current research on employment outcomes for persons with ASD, with emphasis on employment outcomes achieved through participation in services provided by State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. Descriptions are given for the primary providers of employment and related supports in the adult service system for transitioning youth with ASD. Two case study examples are provided detailing the development and implementation of employment plans responsive to the unique needs and abilities of young adults with ASD. Becoming well informed about resources at the community and state level and learning how to network effectively among these resources are emphasized as key to planning and implementing an effective transition program for a youth with ASD.

Report: An analysis of self-employment outcomes within the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation System

An objective of the START-UP/USA project, funded by U.S. Department of Labor, The Office of Disability Employment Policy, is to study the extent to which the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation Program supports self-employment vocational alternatives for individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this report is to provide an analysis of self-employment participation and outcomes by individuals with disabilities within the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) System. This report focuses on outcomes in selfemployment through a longitudinal analysis of closure data contained in the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 911 Closure Reports for the period covering Fiscal Years 2003–2007. The data in this report provides a snapshot into the extent to which self-employment is occurring within the VR system as an employment outcome. First, it presents a longitudinal summary of the extent to which self-employment outcomes are occurring within the General and Combined VR agencies in the 50 states

Quality Indicators for Competitive Employment Outcomes: What Special Education Teachers Need to Know in Transition Planning.

by youth with disabilities who are transitioning into employment varies widely across the country. Special education teachers, youth with disabilities, families, community rehabilitation program (CRP) staff providing employment services, and others involved in assisting transitioning youth can benefit from a set of research-referenced quality indicators for measuring the effectiveness of employment services. This article describes a program review instrument that includes seven quality indicators for competitive employment services, as well as probe questions for assessing each indicator and program improvement strategies. Customized employment, resource ownership, real work for real pay, job carving, microenterprise, business within a business: research increasingly describes a rapidly expanding array of employment outcomes possible for youth with significant disabilities while they transition into the adult employment market (Griffin, Hammis, & Geary 2007; Wehman, Inge, Revell, & Brooke, 2007). These employment outcomes reflect careful job matches, which frequently involve negotiated arrangements with employers (Targett & Inge, 2008). This focus on employment in community-integrated job settings as a first and primary choice recognizes the advantages of employment for transitioning youth with a disability in wages, the potential for benefits, and the dignity and self-determination that arises from gainful employment. There are also benefits for employers in meeting labor needs, as well as for family, co-workers, and the general public, who are able to see the employed individual in a fully competent role in the workplace and community (Wehman, Revell, and Brooke, 2003). Youth with disabilities who are interested in successfully entering competitive employment as a transition outcome, as well as the transition staff supporting them, face a variety of challenges (Wehman, Revell, & Brooke, 2003):

Survey results from a national survey of community rehabilitation providers holding special wage certificates

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from a national survey of a random sample of community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) that hold Special Wage Certificates established under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 29 U.S.C. 214(c). The intent of the survey was to identify the types of services provided, the trends in the employment services, and the factors that were perceived as inhibiting and facilitating integrated employment outcomes. The survey results are categorized for this report in the following three areas: 1) characteristics of community rehabilitation programs, 2) organizational change trends, and 3) factors that influence the type of employment program utilized by consumers with disabilities. Representative results from the survey are that overall, facility-based programs continue to be the predominant service provided by community rehabilitation programs holding 14(c) certificates. Of the 20,075 staff members identified as serving consumers, only 1,741 (8.7%) are reported as working with individuals earning at least minimum wage. Although competitive employment and individual supported employment services among these CRPs are growing at a faster rate than other services, use of facility-based services continues to expand. Overall, the findings indicate that the organizations that provide daily services to those Americans with disabilities utilizing 14(c) certificates are continuing to predominately support facility-based work and non-work activities versus services leading to integrated employment outcomes.

Medicaid HCBS Waivers and Supported Employment Pre- and Post-Balanced Budget Act of 1997

Findings from a national survey of state mental retardation/developmental disability agencies regarding use of the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver to fund supported employment were reported. Numbers of individuals and funding levels were requested for day habilitation services for FYs 1997 and 1999, before and after the(P.L. 105-33), which removed eligibility restrictions for this service. Findings show that growth rates for this service far exceeded growth rates for other day services, with high growth rates in a small number of states. However, supported employment accounted for less than 16% of those receiving day habilitation services through the Waiver and only 12% of day habilitation funding, with the remainder going to day support, prevocational services, and other segregated options.

The Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver and Supported Employment.

The Medicaid Home and Community-Based (HCB) Waiver is the primary funding source for long-term care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Findings from a national survey of 48 state coordinators regarding waiver-funded supported employment services are presented. Very low utilization for this service was found, primarily due to limits on eligibility. However, respondents in 18 states reported large numbers of waiver participants receiving employment services under other service categories. Eleven states had waiting lists for waiver-funded supported employment, totalling three times those actually receiving services. Low reimbursement rates to provider agencies and disinterest of providers in using waiver funds were significant barriers to expansion of service capacity.

Use of Social Security Work Incentives by supported employment agencies and consumers: findings from a national survey

This article reports findings from a sUlVey of 385 supported employment provider agencies on their use of two Social Security Work Incentives, the Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) and Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE). Results indicated that PASS and IRWE use by supported employment consumers exceeds that of the SSA beneficiary population. PASS and IRWE approval rates were reported to be high, and respondents generally reported few problems in accessing these supports. Set-aside funds were predominantly used to purchase transportation, supported employment selVices, work equipment and supplies, and other needed supports and selVices. Findings are discussed in light of reports by the U.S. General Accounting Office that have found mismanagement and misuse of SSA Work Incentives.