Pushing the Integrated Employment Agenda: Employment Systems Partners and the High-Performing States Model.

The authors visited three states that already have high rates of integrated jobs for adults with IDD.

They talked with leaders from IDD agencies, vocational rehab, and schools.

The team asked how these states work together to help more people get real jobs in the community.

All three states use the same seven-part playbook.

Key pieces are shared data systems, joint staff training, and one clear message that jobs come first.

When these parts line up, more adults with IDD land and keep competitive jobs.

Timmons et al. (2011) showed that one person’s job choice depends on family and staff voices. Emerson et al. (2023) zooms out and shows how states can line up all those voices in the same direction.

Rogan et al. (2011) told how single agencies moved from sheltered to integrated work. The new study adds the next step: whole states can scale that shift when agencies act as one team.

van der Miesen et al. (2024) found the field still lacks clear outcome data. The high-performing states fix this by sharing data across IDD, VR, and education—exactly the gap the review flagged.

You can copy the seven-part playbook in your state or region. Start by asking your IDD, VR, and school partners to share one data dashboard and one training calendar. Small moves like these can raise employment rates for the adults you serve.