Project Update: August 10, 2010
Since the beginning of the Rural Illinois Customized Employment Sustainability Project in May 2008, the Project has been part of the following outcomes:
6 RICES participants are employed in jobs customized to their own individual abilities; preferences and conditions
6 RICES participants are now tax-payers and have reduced their dependence upon public benefit programs
1 RICES participant is now a board member of his local Kiwanis Club
A RICES participant is being supported in his goal to move from an ICF to a facility sponsored group home
7 community rehabilitation providers (= 30 individual staff members and administration) , 3 individual parents, 3 Special Education teachers and one family-led cooperative (7 job seekers) have all been trained on the Customized Employment process
An additional family-led cooperative intends to be the newest RICES site – with Training and Technical Assistance to begin in September
Increased utilization of services of the Social Security Administration funded Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Projects around the state 24 beneficiaries of Social Security Administration disability cash programs have received individualized benefits planning
24 RICES participants are better equipped to increase their monthly income through work and by utilizing available work incentives
The RICES sites have learned that in order to best implement the Customized Employment processes, a re-alignment of staff duties needs to take place
Several RICES sites have requested funding through the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant to support their innovative practices
The Customized Employment process can begin before individuals exit the school system Customized Employment is part of the transition process at one high school and in one Special Education Cooperative Community partnerships are being enriched through connections between community rehabilitation service providers; school systems; families; universities and community colleges.
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