Supported employment in Maryland: successes and issues

Abstract

Information was gathered via a mailed questionnaire from approximately 85% of Maryland service providers offering vocational services funded by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. The weekly earnings of persons placed in supported employment were 3.5 times the earnings of persons employed on the premises of the service provider. Nevertheless, there was strong evidence that substantial improvements are needed, and possible, in supported employment. Among urgently needed improvements are (a) the ability to recruit and retain qualified vocational workers, (b) enhanced procedures for locating more and higher quality jobs, (c) expanded transportation arrangements, (d) improved training for vocational workers, and (e) an information system to measure performance and identify problems.