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Supported employment helps individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain competitive, integrated employment in the community. A job coach or employment specialist provides individualized support — from job searching and resume building to on-the-job training, task analysis, and ongoing workplace support. The key principle is 'place then train': instead of requiring the individual to be 'job ready' before placement, supported employment places the person in a real job and provides whatever support is needed to succeed there. Services may include job development, job coaching, benefits counseling (to understand how wages affect SSI and Medicaid), transportation training, and employer education. Supported employment is an alternative to sheltered workshops, which have faced increasing criticism for paying below minimum wage.
Supported employment is a covered service under most HCBS waivers for transition-age youth and adults. Families should begin planning for employment during IEP transition planning (by age 16) to build a pathway from school to work.