Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES

Evidence Step: Evidence

Department: TennCare

Priority Area: Workforce Development and Employment

Program Description

Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES is for people of all ages who have an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). It provides a range of supports and services to help the person with I/DD become as independent as possible including support to explore the possibility of working. It also includes support to be involved in their communities outside of work opportunities, helping them stay healthy, and build self-confidence. Supported employment, a major component of ECF CHOICES, is evidence-based.

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Details

Program Demographic: Children, Adolescents / Young Adults, Adults, Persons with Disability

Delivery Setting: Organization / Business / Local Government

Current Participants: 5,176

Research

Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

Outcomes

Number of working age adults with I/DD enrolled in ECF CHOICES who are employed in an integrated setting earning at or above the minimum wage

2024: 1,045

2023: 972

2022: 969

Percentage of working age adults with I/DD enrolled in ECF CHOICES who are employed in an integrated setting earning at or above the minimum wage

2024: 21.6%

2023: 21.6%

2022: 23.8%

Outputs

Number of working age adults with I/DD enrolled in ECF CHOICES programs who are employed in an integrated setting earning at or above the minimum wage during each demonstration year compared to the baseline year.

2023: 972

2022: 969

2021: 855

Number of individuals with I/DD actively receiving ECF CHOICES over the course of each demonstration year compared to the year prior to implementation.

2023: 5,176

2022: 3,972

2021: 3,264

Percentage of working age adults with I/DD enrolled in ECF CHOICES programs who are employed in an integrated setting earning at or above the minimum wage during each demonstration year compared to the baseline year.

2023: 21.6%

2022: 23.8%

Logic Model

If we provide access to high-quality home and community-based services to individuals with I/DD, including learning skills for work, finding and keeping a job, and becoming more active in the community, then they will become more integrated into the community, be more likely to gain employment, be as independent as possible, and improve their overall quality of life.