ThinkWork StateData is a Longitudinal Data Collection Project of National Significance, funded in part by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), US Department of Health and Human Services.
ACL defines Projects of National Significance as projects that focus on the most pressing issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Since 1988, ThinkWork’s Access to Integrated Employment (AIE) has described trends in employment and day services and outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). AIE’s efforts have shaped the field in extraordinary ways:
• Impacted effective employment supports
• Led to a model of employment systems change
• Supported people with IDD to tell their employment stories
• Informed other relevant research projects
• Facilitated the use of data as a performance management strategy
What is StateData? StateData.info allows users to find, sort, and analyze data related to employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This project promotes Employment First and systems change efforts nationwide by supporting outcome-based management and planning.
The site includes data from state IDD agencies, and vocational rehabilitation outcomes and services from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. It also features data from the Social Security Administration, state mental health agencies, the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, the National Core Indicators Project, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Users can select the type of analysis they want to conduct through chart generation tools, and can browse publications that analyze critical issues related to employment of people with disabilities.
Suggested applications for StateData.info Users
- Policymakers can measure the impact of legislation changes, draw comparisons between states and the national average, and use data to effect policy change.
- Researchers and academics can perform rapid analyses online or download spreadsheets to study the data.
- Advocates can track their state’s progress and create graphics to influence decision-makers.
- State agency staff can respond rapidly to information requests and support program monitoring, reporting, and analysis.
- Employment providers can identify benchmarks to support organizational goals and performance improvement.