RESEARCH LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TTAP PROJECT

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RESEARCH LESSONS LEARNED FROMTHE T-TAP PROJECT

• Theme 3 Health A Competitive Disability
  Workforce 6/23 130
• Presented by Grant Revell
• VCU RRTC
• wgrevell_at_vcu.edu
• 804 828-6989

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T-TAP

• Training and Technical Assistance
• for Providers
• (Funded from 2002-2007)
• A DOL-ODEP funded cooperative agreement with
  Virginia Commonwealth University and the
  Institute for Community Inclusion at the
  University of Massachusetts Boston

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T-TAPs Purpose

• 1. Assisted Community Rehabilitation Programs
  (CRPs) in evolving their programs to integrated
  employment outcomes.
• 2. Focused on individuals utilizing Special Wage
  Certificates under Section 14(c) of Fair Labor
  Standards Act.
• 3. Facilitated employment in non-stereotypical
  jobs that paid at least minimum wage.
• 4. Used customized employment strategies.

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How T-TAP Worked

• Technical Assistance Center Strategies
• CRP Leadership Network
• Variety of Training Initiatives
• Technical Assistance to CRPs
• Customized Employment Strategies

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Key Organizational and Employment Strategies

• Example Strategies
• Benefits Planning
• Organizational Change
• Customized Employment
• Diversified Funding
• Networking with Business

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Core Research Areas

• Role of Mentorship
• Supporting Organizational Restructuring
• Employment Service Change
• Survey of CRP Participation and Direction

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Key Survey Categories

• Characteristics of CRPs
• Organizational Change Trends
• Type of CRP Program Utilized

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Key Research FindingsServices Provided by CRPs

• Facility-Based Work 88
• Facility-Based Non-Work 63
• Community-Based Non-Work 37
• Supported Employment 74
• Competitive Employment 70

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Key Research FindingsParticipation in CRP
Services

• Facility-Based Work 36
• Facility-Based Non-Work 20
• Community-Based Non-Work 8
• Supported Employment 11
• Competitive Employment 8

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Key Research FindingsCRP Service Growth Past 3
Yrs.

• Facility-Based Work 34
• Facility-Based Non-Work 28
• Community-Based Non-Work 26
• Supported Employment 39
• Competitive Employment 38

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Participant Trends Impact on Health Care
Planning

• CRP Participation Status Quo Being Maintained
• 80 - Non-work or Limited Income
• 20 - Supported/Competitive Employment
• Wage Levels Limited Impact on SSA Benefits

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Implication for Future Research

• Some positive examples of CRP Organizational
  Restructuring towards Employment Focus
• Training/technical assistance/education
  strategies that support Organizational
  Restructuring
• Benefits Planning as a key consideration in
  targeting job and wage goals
• Identifying Evidenced-Based Employment Practices
  Linked to Increased Earnings