Policy Development and Public Expenditures in Supported Employment: Current Strategies to Promote Statewide Systems Change

Abstract

Supported employment for persons with developmental and other severe disabilities has moved rapidly from university-based demonstration projects to the development of comprehensive statewide services delivery systems. This article reports the results of a survey of 27 states that received major systems change grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to convert traditional day activity programs to supported employment. The results indicate that although mechanisms have been developed to establish a large number of supported employment programs, states are taking a very cautious approach toward converting existing segregated employment settings, funding for ongoing support services is often unavailable, and specific procedures for including individuals with the most severe disabilities are poorly defined. Expenditures for supported employment have risen dramatically. During Fiscal Years 86–88, RSA expenditures approached $75 million, obligations from mental health and mental retardation agencies have increased 460%, and collectively over $214 million has been obligated by federal and state agencies for supported employment.