Supported Employment continues to grow and provide individuals with disabilities community employment and integration. During FY04-05, seven new referrals received Supported Employment services. A total of 53 consumers benefited from the program. Five new job placements were made despite the unemployment rates in Iowa county that consistently increased between September 2004 to March 2005

Nationally, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is on the rise, primarily due to vocational providers not being able to show big profits when providing Supported Employment service. Fortunately, REA has a strong philosophy concerning people with disabilities having the right to fully participate in their communities. This philosophy dries the agency.... not the bottom line of the financial statement.

Due to diversified funding streams and creative on-the-job supports allow REA, Inc. to move forward with assisting adults with disabilities to access community employment. Relationship building with employers, consumers, and the consumer's team members facilitates positive and long standing job retention rates. Obviously it is much more cost effective to provide supports to maintain employment rather than constantly pursuing new job opportunities.

Fifty-nine percent of the individuals working in the community have been in their jobs four years or longer. Eight people have been employed at the same job for at least 10 years and up to 13 years. Seventy percent of the employees working through REA's Supported emplyment program have been in their jobs for at least two years.

The average hourly wage earned by supported employees this years was $6.86 per hour. This is 25% about the current minimum wage. Individual earnings ranged from $5.15 to $10.00 per hour. This amount varied between 3 hours and 40 hours. A "work week" is tailored to the employees' abilities and stamina and the employers' needs

Integration, community involvement, and the chance to make and spend money are important to all of us. REA's Supported Employment program continues to provide many opportunities o adults with disabilities that ultimately improve their quality of life.

Jeannine Scandridge
Co-Director
Supported Employment