2.1.5 Supported Employment
Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series
	11/16/99

I. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

For most young adults, employment is one of the most important and most anticipated rites of passage following high school. When young adults are planning for the transition to employment, it is important to consider the full range of employment options available. Supported Employment is an employment option for young adults with the most significant disabilities, enabling them to work in competitive community employment. Integration with workers without disabilities, commensurate wages, and on-going support are components of Supported Employment.

II. KEY POINTS

Definitions: Supported Employment is defined in the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986 as competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with severe handicaps for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for individuals for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a severe disability, and who because of their handicap, need ongoing support services to perform such work (Federal Register, 1987). This definition is used by Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS).

The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) defines Supported Employment as competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with developmental disabilities who will need long-term supports to remain employed... (Macaluso, 1998).

Models: There are several models of Supported Employment, each providing varying levels of assistance, or support, to young adults seeking and/or maintaining employment. These models include Individual Placement, Mobile Work Crews, and Enclaves. All provide assistance to individuals with severe disabilities to work and earn wages commensurate with what other workers are paid for the same job.

Individual Placement is a supported employment approach for individuals (which) employs individuals in community work settings with initially intensive job placement and job-site training support from a "job coach". This support is faded gradually and maintained by follow-along services (Everson, 1992). Individual Placement, which provides follow-along services for an indefinite amount of time, should not be confused with On-the-Job Training (OJT) which is time-limited.

The Mobile Work Crew is defined as a group of four to eight (individuals with severe disabilities) and one supervisor, who operate a small business out of a van. The crew typically moves from one business to another during the day performing custodial work, grounds maintenance, or other needed services in the community. Work contracts are drawn up between different businesses and the human service agency. A human service worker supervises and trains the crew and does not fade from the job sites (Everson, 1992).

An Enclave is defined as a group of eight or fewer workers with severe disabilities who are trained and supervised by a human services worker. The individuals are employed in an integrated host-business or industry and access employment opportunities provided to all employees of the host-business or industry. Enclaves pay wages commensurate with the individual's productivity and may be paid directly by the host-business or industry, or by the human service support organization. The human services worker does not fade from the job site (Everson, 1992).

Funding Sources: Supported Employment services may be funded in various ways. LRS provides initial (up to 18 months) funding for the majority of Supported Employment services. After LRS initial funding for Supported Employment services ends, follow-along services (also called "extended services") must be funded by other agencies such as the OCDD. Extended services may also be provided by unpaid, natural supports such as the employer, family, or friends, or may be paid for by the young adult (private pay). Although most initial funding for Supported Employment services is provided by LRS, Supported Employment can be funded initially through sources other than LRS. For example, the OCDD offers Supported Employment services to eligible individuals, providing there is a source of funds available. Funding sources accessed by the OCDD include the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver, as well as various state-appropriated funds. However, the OCDD most typically offers initial Supported Employment services to young adults (age 22 or over) who were not determined eligible for services through LRS.

It is important to remember that all agencies (including LRS and OCDD) have eligibility requirements that young adults must meet before services are offered and/or funded. For more information on eligibility requirements and application procedures, contact LRS and/or OCDD office (see the Resources/Contacts section of this fact sheet.)

III. ROLES/NEXT STEPS

Students/Young Adults: Young adults needing follow-along support in order to seek and/or maintain a job should ask adults helping them in their transition to employment for assistance in applying for services offered by various agencies.

Young adults should begin learning work skills and gaining work experience while still in high school. Trying more than one job during the high school years can give young adults the experience needed in order to make informed choices about vocational goals.

Young adults should become aware of specific supports or accommodations that may be needed to enhance employability. While still in high school, young adults should practice identifying, requesting, and utilizing accommodations. This will enable them to better advocate for themselves on the job.

Families: Families should assist young adults in identifying the appropriate employment option to pursue. Young adults who wish to utilize Supported Employment may need family support to be successful in this endeavor. Families may be called upon to help solve transportation problems or other barriers to employment.

Families should encourage young adults to assume household tasks, to work part-time, and/or to assume volunteer positions. Families can ensure a variety of experiences and encourage work periods of two hours or more to build endurance.

Agencies: Local Education Agencies (LEAs) should provide a variety of work experiences for young adults while in high school. By offering multiple and varied vocational experiences throughout the high school career, LEAs can help young adults increase job skills and greatly enhance the chances of becoming employed. When Supported Employment is discussed early in transition planning, timely and appropriate actions may be taken.

By collaborating with LEAs, adult agencies such as LRS and OCDD can provide valuable information to teachers, families, and young adults about the world of work. Participation in meetings at which transition to employment is discussed and/or on a local interagency transition team are excellent ways to ensure that young adults exiting LEAs and entering adult agencies come with skills needed to become employed.

IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS

The Employment Network of Louisiana, Inc.

Human Development Center, LSUMC

1100 Florida Blvd., Building 119

New Orleans, LA 70119

1-800-597-0441

Families Helping Families*

888-9111 in New Orleans, or 800-766-7736

Local Education Agencies: To find out about programs offered by Local Education Agencies, contact your parish's school board office. Ask to speak to the Transition Coordinator.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services *

925-4131 in Baton Rouge, or 800-737-2958

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities *

State Office (504) 342-0095

(*Contact the numbers above to get the phone number of the regional office nearest you.)

V. REFERENCES

Everson, J. (ed.) (1992). Glossary of Supported Employment Terms. In Wehman, P., Sale, P., & Parent, W., Supported employment: Strategies for integration of workers with disabilities. Stoneham, MA: Andover Medical Publishers.

Federal Register. Supported employment regulations for Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments. (1987 August 14).

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. (1996). Louisiana Rehabilitation Services Procedures Manual. (Section 400). Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.

Macaluso, C. (February, 1998). Service Definitions of the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. Handout given at Employment and the transition process: What you need to know.