Conversion: what agency executive directors rate as incentives and disincentives to supported employment systems change

Abstract

An Integrated Employment Survey was developed in order to gather data concerning incentives and disincentives to systems change from executive directors of agencies in New Jersey which provide employment and vocational training services to persons with severe disabilities. The results of the questionnaire suggest that most agencies have developed a small degree of supported employment services as an add-on, appendage service rather than the agency shifting a large amount of resources to comprehensively engage in integrated employment services. The most commonly identified incentive to systems change was the commitment of the agency's executive director to supported employment, while the most commonly identified disincentive to systems change was the attitudes of parents and family members of the worker with disabilities.