Trends in Supported Employment: The Experiences of Ninety-Four Community Rehabilitation Providers between 1986 to 1991.

Institute for Community Inclusion, Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115.

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Administration on Developmental Disabilities (DHHS), Washington, D.C.

00DD0183

Adults; Agencies; Disabilities; Integrated Services; Job Placement; National Surveys; Sheltered Workshops; Social Integration; Supported Employment; Trend Analysis; Vocational Rehabilitation

This fact sheet summarizes data on integrated employment (supported and competitive) and facility-based employment activities (sheltered workshops) from two national surveys of community rehabilitation providers (CRPs). The 1986 survey used a random sample of 952 CRPs from all states, while the 1991 survey used a stratified sample of 643 CRPs from 20 states. Key findings included the following: (1) between 1986 and 1991 most providers incorporated supported employment into their array of service options; however, there was no change in the percent offering sheltered employment services; (2) there has been a substantial increase in the percent of people in supported employment services and a decrease in the percent of people in sheltered employment; and (3) despite strong growth in integrated employment, the number of people in sheltered employment also grew between 1986 and 1991. Results suggest that integrated options, especially supported employment, are being used as an "add-on" service with little effort to transition people away from sheltered employment. Findings support the need for system change efforts, adequate funding of services, and policy initiatives that create incentives for CRPs to shift resources from facility-based to integrated services. (DB)

1998

ED410704