Supported Employment:The Next Generation

1. Supported Employment:The Next Generation Pat Steele University of Iowa Law, Health Policy & Disability Center http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/

2. What is Supported Employment? • Competitive employment in integrated settings with ongoing supports • Collaboratively funded service • Opens the door to employment for people with high support needs • Individualized package of services • Place and train model

3. Goals of Supported Employment • Improved quality of life • Wages • Benefits • Independence • Social Connections

4. Supported Employment Status in Iowa 1999 2003 Total 2284 1883 • MI/CMI: 569 439 • MR/DD: 1708 1426 • *Wage: $5.33 $6.47 • *Hours: 19 18 Figures from the National Results Council

5. What Happened? Supported Employment Failed to: • Promote Self-Sufficiency thru Career Mobility • Address Labor Market Issues • Provide Education and Training Opportunities • Create Effective Partnerships

6. The Changing American Workplace • Global competition • Infusion of technology Have affected the structure of jobs, the way we work, and fueled increases in educational attainment and the demand for skills.

7. The Educated Worker • In 1959, 2 out of 10 workers had some level of college education • Today, 6 out of 10 have some college education. • Currently, about 40% of American adults do not have the skills typical of those with some college education.

8. Skills Employers Want: • Soft Skills • Attendance • Punctuality • Teamwork • Work Ethic • Ability to Follow directions

9. Skills Employers Want: • Hard Skills The specific physical and mental skills that an individual needs to perform his or her job.

10. Think of Your Caseload • Work History and Experience • Educational Level • Recipient of Public Benefits

11. Strategies for Employment Providers • Aggressive Marketing Campaign • Benefits Planning • Soft Skills including ADA training • Access to education and training • Community and Four Year Colleges • One Stop Centers • Customized training models • Apprenticeships • Staffing Industry Companies

12. Choosing a Provider • Key Issues to Consider • Transportation • Staff certification and training • Staff turnover rate • Accreditation • Types of disabilities served • Types of jobs obtained • Length of time to obtain job • Average hours and wages

13. Questions to Ask • Is the building well-maintained and accessible? • How do staff members keep up with trends in the field? • Do most of the people who come to you for employment get a job? • What happens if I lose my job? • How would you help me obtain training or postsecondary education? • What makes you different from other agencies?

14. Choosing a Provider Guide • Go to the Law, Health Policy & Disability Center website http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/ Click on Partners Click on National Results Council

15. Ticket to Work Program • 89,000 ticket holders in Iowa • 61 tickets have been assigned • Nationally, 9 million issued • 5268 assigned

16. Employers and People with Disabilities Agree Employers state that the lack of work skills is a major barrier in why there is such a high unemployment rate for people with disabilities. Interestingly enough, people with disabilities echo that opinion.