Affiliations: Division of Intervention Services, 428 Education
Building, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. Tel.:
+1 419 372 6826; Fax: +1 419 372 8265; E-mail: jnovak@bgnet.bgsu.edu | Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana
University, 2853 East 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408-2601, USA | Training Resource Network, 316 George Street, St.
Augustine, FL 32084, USA
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: conversion, policy implementation, supported employment, systems change, vocational rehabilitation
