Perceptions of Supported Employment Providers: What Students with Developmental Disabilities, Families, and Educators Need to Know For Transition Planning

The purpose of this exploratory study was to survey community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) to determine their perceptions of the skills, experiences, and information that transitioning youth with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families need to access supported employment (SE) services. Supervisors of SE from 12 CRPs across one state provided their perceptions of eligibility requirements for SE services. Results related to the skill requirements and work experiences needed by transitioning youth support previous research findings including paid work experiences, instruction in self-management and advocacy skills, and transition assessments that document employment preferences, interests, and needs. Other findings support the need for educators to teach transitioning youth and families about getting long-term funding through the state DD agency and Medicaid Waivers, and to prepare families for changes as CRPs continue to phase out facility based work options and provide only SE. CRP staff strongly encouraged transitioning youth, not families, to communicate their own employment preferences and skills at intake interviews.