Jaimie Ciulla Timmons

The Path to Employment for Individuals with Disabilities in the Welfare System

Abstract Welfare reform has changed the landscape of social protection for individuals on the margins of economic independence. Reforms require individuals to develop marketable skills and acceptable work behaviors and to move along a path to employment. For individuals with disabilities in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) system, substantial barriers and insufficient transitional supports can impede this path. The current study examined the impact of welfare reform on individuals with disabilities in the TANF system. This report summarizes the experiences of eleven individuals with disabilities receiving welfare benefits in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Study findings trace a path from welfare to work, describe variations along this path for individuals with disabilities, and consider a range of supports necessary to address barriers. Implications for policy and practice are offered.

Exploring the Impact of Community Service on Career Exploration, Self-Determination, and Social Skills for Transition-Age Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Bleak transition outcomes for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), coupled with the surge in incidence, has led to the need for focused and innovative transition strategies. While structured community service reveals promise, documentation of how community service experiences contribute to building employment skills for youth with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), including those with ASD, is underresearched. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of a community service experience on employment skill-building for youth with ASD. Findings from 23 qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders showed positive perceptions in the areas of career exploration, self-determination, and social skill building. Implications emphasize the likely benefits of structured community service and the potential to maximize the connection to employment, and thus community inclusion, for transition-age youth with ASD.