Employment services for high school students with developmental disabilities help support young adults gain and maintain employment after graduation from high school. Job support needs are determined individually, and can vary significantly from person to person. The amount, duration, and intensity fluctuate depending on the needs of the person, the job tasks, and the work environment. Once employed, persons with developmental disabilities typically need support from trained job coaches for a number of reasons that may include a change in the workplace or business, a change in supervisors or co-workers, the addition of new tasks, and most commonly, communicating with the employer.

The funding spent to assist entry into jobs and careers for these graduating students provides a return on Washington State’s special education investment. Long term follow-along support is essential for successful employment – for the individual, as well as the employer.

• Please support the Division of Developmental Disabilities Budget Decision Package for the 2010 Supplemental Budget, and provide funding to support the 343 students graduating during this Biennium who are on a waiver. $1.8 M. ($764,000 GFS using the enhanced federal match rate).
• Please fund the remaining 1, 010 graduates by allocating additional waiver slots to provide these vital services. For every dollar spent on waiver services, the State receives a Federal dollar match. This creates a win for the State, and a win for individuals with developmental disabilities to capitalize on their education and find meaningful community employment. $5.2 M. ($2.2 M GFS using the enhanced federal match rate ).

Visit the Community Employment Alliance website to learn more about 2010 Washington State Legislative issues.

Labels: disabilities, school, students