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Pennsylvania: Using Funding to Improve Integrated Employment Services

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania’s IDD agency restructured its funding and service delivery to better support integrated employment for people with disabilities. The state used federal relief funds to stabilize services, expand remote supports, and invest in assistive technology. By embracing teleservices and outcome-based payment models, Pennsylvania created a more flexible and inclusive employment service system. These changes continue to shape long-term improvements in service access and delivery.

Tennessee: Using Funding to Improve Integrated Employment Services

The ICI/UMass Boston launched this project to examine how state IDD agencies’ contracting and payment methods support innovative employment services, assistive technology access, and workforce development. Eight states with relevant financing strategies were selected. In Tennessee, the IDD agency emphasized technology, staff training and certification, and quality-based incentives to improve employment services for individuals with IDD.

Ohio: Using Funding to Improve Integrated Employment Services

The ICI/UMass Boston has been studying how state IDD agencies’ contracting and payment methods supported the use of innovative employment services, access to assistive technology, or improvements in the employment services workforce to ensure access to high-quality employment services. This promising practice highlights Ohio’s approach to advancing IDD services through technology. With strategic planning, collaboration, and targeted funding, Ohio enhances independence and service quality for individuals with disabilities. Its long-term commitment demonstrates how technology can improve outcomes, offering valuable insights for other states seeking to modernize and innovate service delivery.

Missouri: Using Funding to Improve Integrated Employment Services

The ICI/UMass Boston has examined how state IDD agencies use contracting and payment methods to support innovative employment services, assistive technology access, and workforce improvements. This promising practice highlights Missouri’s approach. Missouri’s integrated employment initiative uses a dynamic, data-driven model focused on technology integration, innovative and value-based payment systems, and data-informed quality assurance to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with IDD.

State Intellectual and Developmental Disability Agencies’ Funding for Employment Services, FY 2022

Data Note No. 99, 2025

In FY2022, states continued to vary in their ability to report on the services they provided to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the amount of funding allocated to employment and non-work services. In this Data Note, we examine the percentage of funds allocated to integrated employment.

Vulnerability to Poverty During Global & Financial Crises Varies for People with and without Disabilities

Data Note No. 98, 2025

This Data Note examines poverty rates over time for selected disability populations from the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS). The data note specifically examines two populations: 1) people with cognitive disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who are employed, and 2) people without disabilities who are employed.

Employment Participation Recovery Post-2020 For People With and Without Disabilities, An Update

Data Note No. 97, 2025

This Data Note is an update of findings that highlighted the sharp employment decline that occurred in the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic and tracked recovery using February 2020 as a baseline. The analysis is extended through February 2025 to examine how employment trends have evolved over time for people with and without disabilities.

How Service Providers Can Promote Staffing Recruitment and Retention

This brief highlights promising practices identified across five community rehabilitation providers (CRPs) in Washington, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In the past four years, these CRPs have implemented new and creative strategies to overcome staffing shortages. This brief draws findings from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with leaders and staff of the agencies. We present the promising practices these CRPs used as well as suggestions for other service CRPs to replicate these strategies. Read the brief.

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