Supporting consumer directed employment outcomes

Abstract

Nationally, participation in sheltered/segregated programs continues to exceed participation in community-integrated employment for many individuals with significant disabilities. However, a number of community rehabilitation programs have evolved from providing services and supports that maintain individuals in segregated settings to a primary, at times singular focus on providing supports to individuals in community-integrated, inclusive employment settings. This paper briefly reviews the factors influencing this evolutionary process for community rehabilitation programs. It provides detailed examples of the organizational change process with two specific community rehabilitation programs, the Cobb and Douglas Counties Community Services Boards in Georgia and HPS, Helping People Succeed, Inc. in Florida. The core mission of both programs is to support consumer directed employment outcomes. The organizational change descriptions are accompanied by stories about individuals who are now working in inclusive employment opportunities after receiving supports through these programs.