ACCSES Matters — December 8, 2023
Integrated Employment
Education Department Launches Historic Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative for People with Disabilities
States eligible to compete for Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grants totaling $167 million
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) released the notice inviting applications for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project, which is aimed at increasing access for people with disabilities to jobs that pay good wages.
The SWTCIE project is the largest discretionary grant administered by RSA, with $167 million available to State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their partners.
“Economic security should be available to all Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Providing individuals with disabilities with a high-quality education and the services that they need to thrive will result in real pay for real jobs, empowering them and leading to greater social and economic inclusion.”
Read the full press release.
Secondary Benefits of Competitive Integrated Employment Webinar Now Available
The Employment First Community of Practice webinar entitled “Secondary Benefits of Competitive Integrated Employment” is now available in archive. During the webinar, researchers Dr. Paul Wehman and Dr. Katherine Inge discussed the impact of competitive integrated employment on economic, psychological, and physical health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This research covers the additional benefits and implications for participants and the communities engaging in CIE.
OVR Surveys on Competitive Integrated Employment for Participants of 14(c) Facilities
Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is committed to assisting individuals with disabilities find competitive integrated employment in the community. OVR is looking for feedback to strengthen agency partnerships and enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in PA. OVR is outreaching to individuals working in 14(c) facilities (sheltered employment/subminimum wage employment) and their support networks to learn more about how OVR can provide services effectively. If you would like to provide feedback to us, we invite you to complete one of the surveys below:
Kim Robinson, MS, CRC | Division Chief, Transition and 511
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation | Bureau of Central Operations
531 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
o: 412-209-4524 | c: 412.932.6149 | f: 412.565.7587
RSA Issues FAQs Related to Criterion for an Integrated Employment
A message from ACCSES:
A few minutes ago, the Rehabilitation Services Administration announced the release of long-awaited revised FAQs. The message from RSA reads as follows:
Today, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is pleased to announce the release of frequently-asked questions titled Criterion for an Integrated Employment Location in the Definition of “Competitive Integrated Employment” and Participant Choice, published as RSA-FAQ-22-02. These FAQs provide guidance and technical assistance to VR agencies and community rehabilitation programs so they may assist individuals with disabilities to achieve high-quality employment and exercise their informed choice about the type of employment to pursue, either with assistance from the VR program or from other community resources.
While these FAQs do not change the Department of Education’s interpretation that has existed since at least the mid-1990s with respect to the criterion for an integrated employment location, they clarify and update a similar set of FAQs, issued January 17, 2017, entitled Frequently Asked Questions: Integrated Location Criteria of the Definition of ‘Competitive Integrated Employment.’ Therefore, OSERS rescinds the January 2017 FAQs effective as of this date. These updated FAQs take effect immediately upon issuance, and will enable VR program personnel to better carry out the purpose of the VR program and allow individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment potential.
Additionally, RSA issues a Response to Significant Comments that addresses changes in the updated FAQs made in response to comments received on the proposed FAQs (FAQ 21-03) published in the Federal Register and that provided the public with a 30-day opportunity to comment (86 FR 13511 (March 9, 2021)).”
ACCSES is in the process of reviewing the final FAQs and the RSA Response to Significant Comments and will provide additional information to ACCSES members on Monday.
Kind regards,
Kate