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Defining CIE

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) defines competitive integrated employment (CIE) as work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individual is:

  • Compensated at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience;
  • Receiving the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions;
  • At a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and
  • Presented opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.

CIE Transformation Hub

Three people working together in a shop. One has a disability. The words “CIE Transformation Hub” appear below them.ODEP created the CIE Transformation Hub to bring together resources from across the federal government to provide practical guidance, policy information and evidence-based best practices that support steps to increase the participation of people with disabilities in CIE. The CIE Transformation Hub features information for people with disabilities and their families, employers, employment service providers and state agencies.

 

ODEP’s Initiatives Focused on Increasing CIE

Beginning with its Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP), ODEP has provided targeted technical assistance to twenty-seven states since 2012, focused on aligning state policies across multiple service systems. EFSLMP was the predecessor to VOICE (Visionary Opportunities to Increase Competitive Employment), Veterans RICE (Returning to Integrated Competitive Employment), NEON (National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network) and ASPIRE (Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment) initiatives. These initiatives have supported state cross-disability, cross-systems change efforts that lead to improved CIE outcomes for individuals with significant disabilities through a national model of knowledge translation, policy development and peer-to-peer mentoring.

CIE in WIOA

WIOA defines CIE. The official definition and final rule can be used to increase policy development.

10 Critical Areas to Increase CIE

As a key part of WIOA, the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities (ACICIEID) was formed in 2014 to prepare findings, conclusions and recommendations for the Secretary of Labor on increasing CIE opportunities for disabled people. On September 15, 2016, the ACICIEID submitted its final report to the Secretary and Congress as required by law.  ODEP identified 10 critical areas to increase CIE based on the recommendations put forth in the report. Below are resources produced by ODEP to address each criterion.

Employment First Policies come in various forms — legislation, executive orders and state plans. Regardless of the form, an effective Employment First policy defines CIE and describes the roles of various state agencies and partners to achieve CIE for people with disabilities.

  • National Plan To Increase Competitive Integrated Employment — The National Plan was authored by Dr. David Mank and Dr. Rich Luecking in collaboration with the five NEON National Provider Organizations (NPOs): ACCSES, ANCOR, APSE, The Arc of the U.S. and SourceAmerica. The plan provides information and recommendations useful to policy makers, funding entities and in-the-field activities in the overall national effort to increase CIE.
  • Employment First Community of Practice (CoP) Webinar Series — This webinar series provides Employment First technical assistance. CoP participants benefit from national subject matter experts (SMEs) presenting information and resources to support Employment First efforts.
  • The LEAD Center — The National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD) brings together a range of organizations, thought leaders and best-practice innovators to expand policy, employment, leadership and economic advancement opportunities and outcomes for all people with disabilities. Funded by ODEP as the WIOA Policy Development Center, it creates numerous webinars and tools that discuss CIE.
  • Criteria for Performance Excellence in Employment First State Systems Change & Provider Transformation — The EFSLMP developed a set of criteria to help states and service delivery systems successfully implement systems change within a comprehensive Employment First strategic framework. A blended approach of top-down systems-change strategies, combined with community-based capacity building activities initiated by key stakeholders, is critical to the successful implementation of an Employment First strategic framework.