Mississippi Partnerships for Employment: Collaborating for systems change

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Employment outcomes in Mississippi for people with disabilities vary widely. In 2011, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities announced the availability of a grant to expand community employment in integrated settings for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the development, implementation, and outcomes of the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment for Youth and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MSPE) grant, a Project of National Significance funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from October 2011 to September 2016. The goal of the project was to build capacity and create sustainable systems change that improves employment outcomes for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state. CONCLUSION: MSPE established a Consortium of self-advocates and state system representatives to focus on real changes within and among agencies to increase competitive employment outcomes. In addition, two work groups were developed: one for identifying barriers and determining how to improve access to employment for the target group, and one to focus on training needs and best practices. Additionally, through pilot projects, two school districts demonstrated improved transition services outcomes and employment experiences, and one disability organization sought to increase reimbursements for customized employment for service providers. Other key activities, outcomes, and sustainability efforts will also be examined.