Transitional Employment Training

Transitional Employment Training program participants first completed an intensive training with a job coach on tasks for a specific, competitive job and appropriate behavior in the workplace. Program staff placed participants into competitive, integrated employment with the potential to become permanent. Participants were placed into the jobs for which they received training or similar positions, accompanied by additional training with the job coach. Participants also received job retention services to help them resolve difficulties that emerged in the workplace. At some sites, participants had access to case management and other services for people with intellectual disabilities, such as counseling or recreational activities. Participants received services for up to one year, and those in permanent placements at the end of the year were connected to job retention services through another service provider, which they could receive for up to six years. In addition, the Social Security Administration granted waivers to participants to protect their SSI status during their time in the program. The primary population for the program was people ages 18 to 40 who had intellectual disabilities as a primary or secondary diagnosis in their Supplemental Security Income records. The program was implemented in eight sites across the country: Boston, MA; Portland, OR; west-central Wisconsin; Monmouth County, NJ; Los Angeles, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Lemoyne, PA; and Chicago, IL.