Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment
Project Description:
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) will be working with the Rehabilitation Services Administration to implement solutions to address the need to obtain community-based and compensated employment for potential vocational rehabilitation (VR) program applicants or VR-eligible individuals with disabilities who are employed or contemplating employment at subminimum wage. OVR will implement an innovative, three-component model (competitive employment engagement, supports, and service/resource coordination) for assisting individuals in moving from subminimum wage to competitive employment. Comparable regions will be identified for each SWTCIE implementation region using baseline data to serve as a control group. At baseline, no differences are expected between SWTCIE regions and control regions on project measures. Through summative evaluation, Temple IOD will evaluate SWTCIE regions, relative to historical baseline and comparable regions at post-intervention. Evaluation aims to demonstrate an increase in competitive employment and a decrease in subminimum wage employment for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Further, specific analysis of employer and participant outcomes aim to demonstrate an increase in employer perceptions of the importance of inclusive employment practices and improved implementation of these practices, improved perceptions of vocational rehabilitation services by individuals and their families, and improved positive attitudes about employment from participants and their families as a result of the project.
Keyword(s):
Developmental Disabilities
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
None
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
