Consultancy developing and implementing quality standards in Customized Employment

Since 2000, Griffin-Hammis Associates has been a leading expert in individual employment training and technical assistance and a pioneer in the creation of micro-enterprises for people with disabilities. GHA has worked in over 40 states in the United States and has supported projects in Australia, Canada, and Spain.

Griffin-Hammis Associates (GHA) is a consulting firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides training and technical assistance on ‘Customized Employment’ approaches to employment services providers. This builds the capacity of employment services to support persons with disabilities into full employment and match them with employers. GHA also develops evidence-based standards and policies on the subject. From 2017 to 2019, GHA has trained more than 350 employment service agencies.

Problems Targeted

Although the provision of Customised Employment has been law since 2014, there is a lack of standards, policies, and training.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

‘Customized Employment’ is a specific person-centred approach developed in the United States that has been found to be effective for people with multiple, complex barriers to work. It is seen as a way for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to obtain employment. GHA trains and mentors employment service staff to undertake ‘discovery’ activities to understand a jobseeker’s skills, interests, community, and supportive relationships. Employment services develop a vocational profile and work with employers to create or customize job opportunities that benefit both the individual and the employer. GHA teaches these services to create job-training plans to ensure the match is successful. GHA has developed evidence-based standards and tools to assess the quality of their Customized Employment-provision, including a Discovery Fidelity Scale and Job Development Fidelity Scale. With GHA’s support, employment service providers have helped more than 500 persons with disabilities to find work or start small businesses.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

On average, GHA secures contracts worth US$1 million each year from state-level systems (such as Medicaid), vocational rehabilitation agencies, and some federally funded projects. GHA has worked in over 40 US states and has supported projects in Australia, Canada, and Spain. GHA has created accessible guidance documents to support the virtual delivery of Customized Employment services. Over the next 3–5 years, GHA will continue to support state transformation efforts and expand the capacity of service providers to deliver matchmaking services. Moreover, GHA advocates for the abolition of a sub-minimum wage.

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