Introduction

As states adopt Employment First policy and seek to increase the percentage of working-age individuals with disabilities who are participating in integrated employment at competitive wages, reimbursement methodologies for Supported Employment and related services become a core consideration for ensuring successful outcomes.  This policy brief discusses the issues with current approaches to funding Supported Employment services and explores the concept of outcome-based reimbursement for long-term (sometimes called “extended”) Supported Employment services in particular.  By way of illustration, the longest-standing models of outcome based reimbursement for Supported Employment is briefly described, including its impressive track record of success over nearly two decades. Read more…