A one year follow-up of urban young adults with mental retardation in supported employment

There is little information available about the provision of supported employment services for individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds. To fill this gap, in relation to the specific experiences of urban youth with mental retardation, we initiated an agency based longitudinal study of our employment training programmes. Data from the first year follow up of 45 young adults with mental retardation is presented. Information regarding all phases of the job training and job placement process was examined. The major findings are that 71% of the trainees were employed during the first nine months post-training, with approximately 30% of the trainees working for six months or more. Overall, 75% of the trainees’ placements were in service industries and the amount of direct support the trainees required decreased over time. Additional findings and their implications for programme development are discussed in relation to the unique needs of urban young adults with developmental disabilities.