A recent report shows that a collaboration between the state Department of Workforce Development, Department of Health Services, and the Department of Public Instruction is supporting higher employment rates for Wisconsin residents with disabilities working in a competitive integrated employment (CIE) setting.
2017 Wisconsin Act 178 requires the three state agencies to collaborate in the development of a joint plan and annual reporting to increase CIE opportunities. CIE is defined as an individual with disability working in a full or part-time position with individuals without a disability. The CIE SFY 2023 Report found:
- 1,661 unique individuals were served by all three state agencies in state fiscal year 2022;
- Individuals receiving Medicaid Home and Community Based Services saw 20% higher employment rates when they received vocational rehabilitation services; and
- Individuals in prime working age (25–54) had a 34% higher employment rate when they were connected to vocational rehabilitation services.
To continue improving CIE outcomes, the departments have developed three performance improvement targets and cross-agency objectives to implement collaboratively. The 2024-25 Joint CIE Plan renews these performance improvement targets with a focus on three areas:
- Increasing awareness that work is possible for people with disabilities using targeted outreach and education;
- Aligning state and local service delivery systems, and strengthening coordination to increase CIE opportunities for people with disabilities; and
- Preparing students for careers by participating in K–12 career pathways, while connecting them to support services both during and after high school.
