Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation has embarked upon a new way of funding providers who help people with disabilities get and keep a job in the community.  Results based funding payments are centered around certain milestones obtained upon the road to getting and keeping a job.  A pilot program was initiated throughout the State two years ago with results reported recently.  Even though there was mixed results from that pilot it was decided by State Vocational Rehabilitation to give it a go beginning July 1st of this year.

"We are hopeful that this new way of funding will lead to more people with disabilities obtaining community employment" says Ken Graham, Employment Consultant.  "The State of Indiana is looking for ways to re-energize community employment and this is one way they are hoping to do that."  Graham will be heading up this new project through our Job Connection department.  "There are a lot of unanswered questions about this new system and we are willing to jump in and try to work out the startup wrinkles for people who are looking for jobs and have a disability."  Graham said.  It is estimated people with disabilities nationally have over a 50% unemployment rate.