Beyond Training: Engaging Families in the Transition to Employment. Bringing Employment First to Scale, Issue No. 12

Families can be the most influential factor in successful employment and life planning for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), often leading them on the path to employment by serving as role models for work ethic and behavior. Yet families often lack the knowledge to move employment from an abstract belief to a real job. While a growing body of research suggests the positive effects of family engagement on employment, it often emphasizes trainings to improve engagement. The authors conducted an extended search of trainings provided by state agencies and service providers that are targeted towards families. In spite of perceived benefits offered by trainings, it is not clear that they work well for every family. There remains a persistent gap in information and services for many families, and a further gap in employment for people with IDD. This brief summarizes findings of a scoping literature review on the engagement of families in individuals' employment outcomes. The authors explore the gaps in services, information and employment and the different engagement strategies used. This review confirmed that there is a relationship between family engagement and employment of people with IDD. Some selected readings are included in this brief. [This report was co-authored by ThinkWork! at the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston.]