P007: Developmental Disabilities Supports Division

P007: Percent of adults receiving community inclusion services through the DD Waiver who receive employment services

Current Value

29.4%

FY 2018

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

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 of 18.6%. [2]
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 FY18-Q3, 29.4% of eligible adults received employment services. This is a slight decrease from last quarter due to a new reporting methodology. The Information Technology Services Division modified the Supported Employment database to provide a sorting function by funding source. The data for this quarter only refers to the DD Waiver. Past reports included figures from state general funds, Intermediate Care Facilities, Mi Via, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Private Pay funding sources.
Throughout FY17 and FY18, the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) conducted presentations for the new Employment First (E1st) Policy/Procedure. E1st 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. To date, DDSD conducted 79 presentations, including two train-the-trainer sessions to approximately 1043 people.
DDSD also recorded an E1st webinar to sustain on-going training opportunities. DDSD is collaborating with Partners for Employment to develop a master training plan for best practices in Supported Employment.

Partners

Individuals with I/DD and their support networks including parents and guardians
Supported employment providers
Partners for Employment, which includes the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability
Supported Employment Leadership Network (SELN)
Local and national business owners as employers/community leaders
School districts

What Works

The development and use of a Supported Employment data tracking system, which does not rely on billing data and monitors employment successes.
Waiver service standards and funding models that promote employment outcomes.
Increasing awareness about employment as an option for adults with developmental disabilities.

Strategy

Support innovative service models.
Remain involved in national organizations.
Outreach to key stakeholders such as Partners for Employment, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and SELN.
Provide education on best practices in supported employment.

Action Plan

Q1: Further develop Employment First Policy/Procedure and Communications Plan. Met through Q2. Completed.
Q2: Make a revision to the Supported Employment database in order to distinguish funding streams for data collection purposes. Completed.
Q3: Work with Partners for Employment to provide outreach and training opportunities to key stakeholders on best practices in supported employment. Incomplete.
Q4: Work with seven pilot provider agencies to revise the DD Waiver application for Supported Employment.

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