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BACKGROUND: The Show-Me-Careers initiative focused on scaling-up and sustaining evidence-based practices that support seamless transitions to integrated employment for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A Leadership Consortium of systems partners and stakeholders developed six Guiding Principles grounded in current research and best practices regarding transition to integrated employment which provided a framework to identify, expand, and share effective school to work practices. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the characteristics and impact of the Show-Me-Careers initiative in Missouri. CONCLUSION: The principles also allowed the Consortium to review and identify policy, practice, and other changes that were necessary to support the expansion of these practices statewide. The project sought to improve cross-systems strategies to transition within local communities which could be replicated throughout Missouri. In support of this, the Consortium selected eight communities who received funding, technical assistance, and mentoring to scale-up practices related to the Guiding Principles in their communities. The overall approach of the project to address both state and community level systems change was informed by a "Practice Informing Policy-Policy Enabling Practice" framework. The policies and strategies related to the Guiding Principles, implemented by the communities, informed and supported state level change related to transition. Likewise, state level policies and strategies related to the Guiding Principles enabled the implementation of effective community level practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In an ever-evolving landscape, states are working to achieve new levels of integrated employment outcomes. While states have been building supports for more than five decades to meet the needs of their constituents, a different playing field has emerged in recent years. This is a result of new regulations, requests from advocates and families, shifting expectations and fluctuating state budgets. OBJECTIVE: How are states managing the range of large and small changes needed to update the employment and employment-related service definitions that are offered? How can we ensure connection between employment and other full life outcomes? And most importantly, how can stakeholders establish individual integrated employment as a priority goal? CONCLUSION: This article describes state's efforts towards employment first goals and outlines more changes that need to be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]