Supported Employment

Supported Employment : 

By: Marie WesleyEmporia State University December 6, 2009 Supported Employment

Slide 2: 

(A) In general, the term means competitive work in integrated work settings, or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals are working toward competitive work, consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individuals, for individuals with the most significant disabilities-- Rehabilitation Act Section 7(35) Supported Employment

Slide 3: 

Certain transitional employment Such term includes transitional employment for persons who are individuals with the most significant disabilities due to mental illness. Supported Employment

Strengths : 

One of the greatest strengths of supported employment is the sheer simplicity of its concept To assist persons with severe or significant disabilities in obtaining and maintaining community Integrated competitive employment through specifically planned supports Strengths

Values : 

Presumption of Employment: A conviction that everyone, regardless of the level or the type of disability, has the capability and right to a job. Competitive Employment: A conviction that employment occurs within the local labor market in regular community businesses. Control: A conviction that when people with disabilities choose and regulate their own employment supports and services, career satisfaction will result. Power of Supports: A conviction that people with disabilities need to determine their personal goals and receive assistance in assembling the supports necessary to achieve their ambitions. Values

Values contd. : 

Focus on Capacity & Capabilities: A conviction that people with disabilities should be viewed in terms of their abilities, strengths, and interests rather than their disabilities. Commensurate Wages & Benefits: A conviction that people with disabilities should earn wages and benefits equal to that of coworkers performing the same or similar jobs. Importance of Relationships: A conviction that community relationships both at, and away from, work leads to mutual respect and acceptance. Values contd.

Values Contd. : 

Values Contd. Systems Change: A conviction that traditional systems must be changed to ensure customer control which is vital to the integrity of supported employment. Importance of Community: A conviction that people need to be connected to the formal and informal networks of a community for acceptance, growth, and development. Supported employment has been characterized by individual placement or group option arrangements.

Individual Placement Model of Competitive Employment : 

Considered by many to be the least restrictive and most normalizing of all the rehabilitation service delivery models Characterized by one employment specialist working with one person to obtain and maintain the community integrated competitive employment position of choice. Individual Placement Model of Competitive Employment

Group Options : 

Enclave -a group of individuals, usually three to eight, who work together in a group with the assistance of a permanent full-time supervisor. Employment occurs within a regular, community-based industry called the host company with participants’ earnings based upon production rate results. Group Options

Mobile Work Crew : 

Usually includes between three to eight employees with significant disabilities and one or two supervisors Travels through a community performing specialized contract services. Typically operate several different contracts and move regularly from one business to another. Crew supervisors are often responsible for pro-viding daily supervision and coaching of crew employees, A mobile work crew can be a complex business to operate . Mobile Work Crew

Dispersed Group or Cluster Option : 

Similar to the other group options, in that the agency provides a full-time supervisor to provide training to the employees. Characterized by the business hiring up to eight individuals, all of whom work in different positions but in close proximity to the on-site supervisor. Several significant differences to include: 1) all supported employment participants are hired by the business, and 2) wage earnings are commensurate with co- workers performing the same/similar duties. Dispersed Group or Cluster Option

Entrepreneurial Model : 

People with significant disabilities are joining their friends and families and are Owning and operating their own businesses. The success of these small businesses will depend on the ability to attract customers or, in some cases, contracts. In the last several years supported employment has seen a sharp decline in the number of persons participating in group options and a growth in individual placement models. Supported employment has continued to grow and progress. Entrepreneurial Model

Summary : 

A great deal has occurred affirming supported employment as the option of choice to traditional segregated day programs. Thanks to the work of thousands of individuals with disabilities and advocates from across the country many people with significant disabilities are still unable to access community integrated competitive employment. However, individuals with disabilities are beginning to speak out and are suggesting change in response to the current practices among supported employment service providers. Summary

References : 

Rehabilitation act section 7(35) supported employment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dvr/knowledgebase508/rehabilitationact_supported.htm Brooke, V., Inge, K. J., Armstrong, A. J., & Wehman, P. (2005). Supported employment: a customer-driven approach. Retrieved from http://www.worksupport.com/Main/downloads/sechapter1.PDF References