- Nationally, individuals with Intellectual/Developmental
Disabilities (I/DD) experience greater levels of unemployment, underemployment,
low wages, and poverty compared to those without disabilities [1]. New Mexico
has made steady progress toward increasing community-integrated outcomes and
performs above the national average.
- Community-Integrated Employment (CIE) includes job
development so individuals with developmental disabilities may participate as
active community members and realize the benefits of employment.
- In FY17, 35% of CIE adults received employment
services. This is the second consecutive year that the division performed
above the 33% target.
- The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Developmental Disability Supports Division (DDSD) launched statewide training for the new Employment
First Policy and Procedure, which sets the expectation that individuals with
I/DD, who are of working age, should be given the opportunity to work in the
community. Paid staff are responsible to help remove barriers to work.
Thirty-seven trainings, including two train-the-trainer sessions, were held
statewide. Approximately 500 people participated in the trainings.
- In FY17-Q1, the Supported Employment database was launched as an automated web application, however it continues to capture the employment
status of individuals who receive other funding (data beyond this measure). NMDOH is working to
resolve this reporting issue.
[1] National Snapshot of Adults with Intellectual
Disabilities in the Labor Force. Disabilities-Cooperative Agreement/Grant
Number: Uo1 DD000302-05