According to Institute on Community Inclusion’s 2016 StateData Report, over 12,000 consumers of the Georgia’s State Developmental Disability program in 2015 participated in facility based non-work services, with Medicaid waivers providing 87% of the funding. Compared to the fraction of waiver funding spent on the 2300 individuals who were served in integrated employment that same year, it’s no wonder there is a focus on community based services, but it is a complex issue that requires significant changes on the local, state and federal level.

 

Today, there are over 39 Community Rehabilitation Programs in Georgia with active Section 14(c) Certificates. This certificate, administered by the US DOL’s Wage and Hour division,  allows the CRPs  to provide sub-minimum wages to 1,226 individuals with disabilities, most of which is performed on production type work in the facility. Compared to the number of individuals paid sub-minimum wage in 2017 (3,483), Georgia is seemingly headed in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do. 

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Georgian’s with disabilities competitive employment rate in 2016: 34.7%

 

Individuals with disabilities, particularly those with significant disabilities, have the right to be included in the competitive workforce, and fully participate in all aspects of community life.

 

Advancing Employment believes that all individuals, including those with the

most significant disabilities, are capable of gaining meaningful employment

in the community, earning real wages and contributing to the workplace.

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