The Impact of State Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Agency Employment Contracting Methods and Service Payment Rates on Employment fo
Project Description:
There is a large body of research that demonstrates that state intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) agencies have not established contracting and payment rates that prioritize employment and this creates barriers to integrated employment. Further there is not consensus regarding which service contracting methods and service payment rates are most likely to lead to high numbers of individuals with IDD working in the community. This project will build on work conducted by the State Employment Leadership Network with state IDD agencies, to generate new knowledge about how financial policies and procedures expand employment services for people with IDD.The project will conduct exploratory research to support the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) employment domain. Goal: understand how state IDD agency contracting methods and service payment rates impact employment services and outcomes for individuals with IDD. Objectives: Year 1): catalog state IDD agency employment contracting methods and service payment rates and conduct key informant interviews; Year 2) test the relationship between contracting methods, service payment rates, participation in employment services, and employment outcomes; Year 3): use a Delphi Panel and online focus groups to develop contracting and payment guideposts for state IDD agencies and Medicaid Authorities to use to increase employment for people with IDD. Products will include an online catalogue of state contracting methods and payment rates, peer-reviewed articles, presentations, technical assistance materials for state IDD agencies and Medicaid Authorities, plain language documents for individuals with IDD and families to inform use of their Medicaid Waiver budget, and guideposts for using contracting and payment methods for employment.
Keyword(s):
employment, IDD agency, Medicaid HCBS, funding
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Legislators/Policy Makers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
None
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
