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Systems Change

Different states, common issues: Moving mountains one service at a time

In an ever-evolving landscape, states are working to achieve new levels of integrated employment outcomes. While state have been building supports for more than five decades to meet the needs of their constituents, a different playing field has emerged in recent years. This is a result of new regulations, requests from advocates and families, shifting expectations and fluctuating state budgets. How are states managing the range of large and small changes needed to update the employment and employment-related service definitions that are offered? How can we ensure connection between employment and other full life outcomes? And most importantly, how can stakeholders establish individual integrated employment as a priority goal?

Research to Practice: State Employment First Policies: State Definitions, Goals and Values

This brief is the first in a series focusing on Employment First implementation as it relates to one of the seven elements within the High-Performing States in Integrated Employment model. It examines the background of circumstances under which Employment First efforts began in seven states, and introduces each state’s values, mission, and goals around increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. States may use the lessons in this brief to develop an Employment First policy, or to evolve existing efforts.

Multi-System Collaboration: Supporting Individuals from Pre-employment Through Employment and Community Engagement Across the Life Course

In concert with the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) identified potential topical areas for policy white papers that influence employment outcomes and services for individuals served by state intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) agencies. This is the third white paper in a series of five.

State Employment First Policies #1: State Definitions, Goals and Values

This brief is the first in a series focusing on Employment First implementation as it relates to one of the seven elements within the High-Performing States in Integrated Employment model. It examines the background of circumstances under which Employment First efforts began in seven states, and introduces each state’s values, mission, and goals around increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Community of Practice on Demonstration Projects: Collaboration and Systems Change

Beginning in FY 2012 and 2013, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) funded eight Partnerships in Employment (PIE) systems change projects under the Projects of National Significance program. PIE is a national transition systems change project whose purpose is to identify, develop, and promote policies and practices to improve transition, post-secondary, and competitive employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

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