Transition to Competitive Integrated Employment

The Big Picture

Indiana, like many states across the U.S., is amidst significant legislative and political shifts regarding rightful access to fitting, competitive employment for all persons impacted by a disability. Having historically relied on segregated training models featuring sub-minimum wage earnings and little to no individualization, those models are under persistent and increased scrutiny. This reflects a growing acknowledgment of the importance of inclusivity and equitable opportunities in both the workforce and society. Indiana’s Employment First legislation, as well as amendments to the Workforce Integration and Opportunity Act (WIOA), mandate change. Acting on this impetus, the Family and Social Service Administration (FSSA) has set a desired increase in the number of waiver-supported individuals engaged in the pursuit of competitive, integrated employment (CIE) to between 23% to 38%, representing an increase of roughly 1,500 individuals. The era of traditional sheltered workshops is ending.

Phaseout of Sheltered Employment

Indiana has a phased plan for the gradual elimination of waiver-funded, facility-based prevocational services, typically referred to as sheltered workshops. Phase 1, begun in July 2024, requires no new A man in an orange vest and blue hard hat sitting in his wheelchair with notebook and pen at his job in a warehouse. transition-age youth may enter facility prevocational services using waiver funding. Phase 2, begun in January 2025, requires no new entries of any age. Phase 3, slated for early to mid-2027, witnesses the cessation of all waiver reimbursement to agencies providing prevocational services.

Agencies operating a sheltered workshop may develop an alternative business model that allows them to maintain current workshop contracts. When this occurs, the agency must ensure all individuals working on those contracts are paid at least minimum wage. This means individuals not able to maintain required production standards, but still desiring work, will need to rely on alternative supports to secure and maintain new employment. That support typically comes from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and community rehabilitation agency (CRP) service providers.

Transition to Successful CIE

Individuals with disability impacts do have choices and alternatives apart from sheltered employment. Long-standing resources are available, including VR, CRP agencies, waiver case managers, disability advocacy organizations, and IN DATA, to name a few. The role of an individual’s supporter, whether family member, friend, or professional, is to ensure individuals have the resources and support necessary from which to make an informed choice regarding the selection of service providers, work preferences, ideal supports, and number of hours they wish to work. Not all persons will choose to work full-time. Many will prefer to work part-time, augmenting their weekly routines with personally meaningful activities.

When work is pursued, all persons are entitled to opportunities for contribution. Given the successful history of supported employment, customized employment, and entrepreneurship, everyone who wants to work should receive the supports to do so.

A young man with a long-handled paddle putting a pizza in an oven. The Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC), from their publication, Breaking Barriers: Navigating the Shift from Sheltered Workshop to Competitive Integrated Employment cites, “The ongoing shift away from sheltered options will significantly impact families and individuals involved in these programs.” CCLC underscores that comprehending family viewpoints is critical given their primary influence on employment outcomes for a loved one with disability impacts. CCLC invites you to review Ten Essential Steps for Individuals and Families Toward Competitive Integrative Employment and Essential Resources for the Transition to Competitive Integrated Employment.

Agencies also face challenges related to effective CIE service provision. CCLC invites you to review Essential Steps for Community Service Providers in Facilitating Competitive Integrated Employment and Communication Strategies for Providers, Messages for Families.

Resources for Individuals and Families:

The Universal Employment Competencies, from the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), is a list of best practices and expectations for employment service providers who support workers and job seekers with disabilities.

Work with Indiana VR: This video explains the VR process, eligibility, and available services to support individuals who are seeking employment or starting a career.

An Introduction to Charting the LifeCourse: This presentation from the Arc of Indiana describes how you can use the LifeCourse process to set and reach life goals, including employment.

Resources for Organizations:

Benefits Information Network (BIN) services. BIN offers benefits counseling and valuable insights into federal and state work incentives as well as disability resources that support employment. BIN liaisons, trained in disability benefits, provide guidance on navigating work while maintaining benefits.

Discovery best practices should be practiced by all employment services professionals.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office on Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) website offers webinars, videos, briefs, and guides covering various aspects of customized employment, such as funding strategies, youth transition, employer perspectives, and self-employment options.