Supported Employment and Systems Change: Findings from a National Survey of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

This paper presents findings from a national survey of state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies regarding systems change in supported employment. Respondents from the 50 states and the District of Columbia assessed the impact of state systems change activities and policy implementation efforts on supported employment. Activities perceived to be most important to the implementation and expansion of state supported employment programs were training, technical assistance, capacity building, and policy and funding initiatives. While respondents reported that significant efforts were devoted to conversion during state Title III supported employment system change projects, they reported a lower level of sustained effort following the conclusion of these projects. Respondents from 26 states reported that fiscal incentives exist to provide supported employment services over segregated services. Fiscal disincentives were also reported. Federal and state policies and practices were perceived to influence the administration and operation of state supported employment programs