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If your organization provides employment and/or day services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), complete the survey by September 30, 2026.
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CRP Project
Assessing the Impact of Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP) Characteristics and Service Delivery Models on Employment
About the CRP Project
How do CRP characteristics and service delivery models influence competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)?
ICI/UMass Boston is conducting this project in partnership with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR).
We seek to understand:
- what CRP characteristics support & improve CIE outcomes
- how CRP characteristics, service delivery practices, and state-level factors influence CIE outcomes
- how to strengthen service systems across states and provider types
A national Advisory Board with researchers, practitioners, service providers, policymakers, individuals with IDD, and family members guides the CRP Project.
What We Will Do
Using a mixed-methods research approach, we will conduct three studies:
- Study 1: National CRP Survey — A national survey of CRPs to study provider characteristics, service delivery models, workforce practices, technology use, and strategies for adapting to changing service and policy contexts
- Study 2: Integrated Data Analysis — Analyses combining CRP survey data with state-level employment, economic, and policy data
- Study 3: High-Performing CRP Case Studies — Case studies of high-performing CRPs to identify effective and scalable practices associated with CIE outcomes
With the knowledge we gain from our research, we will develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for providers, policymakers, and others who have a vested interest in this work.
Explore each study & sign up for our ICI Email List to receive updates on products we create from what we learn.
Why This Project Matters
CRPs are the main providers of employment and non-work services to people with IDD, who make up more than 80% of the people they serve.
There are thousands of CRPs across the United States, and most provide both employment and non-work services.
CRPs face major challenges:
- We don't have enough current national data on CRPs, and the data we do have is fragmented.
- We don't know the capacity of smaller CRPs.
- Federal and state policy goals do not align with CRP service models.
- Service systems are complex, which makes coordination, funding, and service delivery more complicated.
- CRPs face workforce & funding shortages.
Study 1: National CRP Survey
Building on more than 40 years of CRP survey research by ICI, Study 1 will contribute updated evidence on CRP capacity and practices in the current service and policy environment.
From July–September 2026, we are surveying CRPs across the US about their:
- organizational characteristics
- service delivery, trends, and strategic priorities
- budgets and funding sources
- workforce characteristics
- remote technologies in employment services
How We Reach CRPs for the Survey
We will draw from multiple data sources:
- ANCOR's membership list, with more than 2,500 CRPs all across the US
- State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) members from across 28 state IDD agencies
- Additional state IDD agencies
- State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies
- State provider association websites
- US Department of Labor Section 14(c) certificate holder listings
Together, these sources form a national sampling frame of approximately 11,300 CRPs.
What We Will Produce
With the knowledge we gain from our survey research, we will:
- provide an updated, comprehensive assessment of CRP capacity
- identify the organizational characteristics and practices associated with stronger CIE outcomes
Want to stay informed?
Sign up for the ICI email list to receive updates and the following products:
- Two peer-reviewed journal articles
- A research report summarizing survey findings
- A plain-language version of the summary report
- Two Research-to-Practice briefs
- Infographics and other visual products to disseminate key findings
Study 2: Integrated Data Analysis
How do CRP characteristics, service delivery practices, and state-level factors influence employment outcomes for people with IDD?
Building on Study 1, we will use the CRP Survey dataset as well as state-level employment, economic, and policy data to study relationships among CRP characteristics, service delivery practices, state-level contextual factors, and employment outcomes.
What We Will Study
- Whether Employment First policies are in place
- Adoption of Technology First initiatives
- Whether subminimum wage employment (Section 14(c)) has been eliminated
- Minimum wage levels relative to federal minimum wage
- Whether a state participates in the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN), and for how long
What We Will Produce
This analysis will identify key factors associated with CIE outcomes across CRPs and states.
Want to stay informed?
Sign up for the ICI email list to receive updates and the following products:
- A peer-reviewed journal article
- A plain-language version and an easy-read summary of predictors of CIE outcomes
- Two Research-to-Practice briefs
- A webinar for the CRP community
Study 3: Case Studies of High-Performing CRPs
We will review documents and conduct in-depth interviews with six high-performing CRPs to explore what makes them successful:
- What strategies do high-performing CRPs use to transform employment service delivery and expand access to CIE?
- What factors contribute to effective CIE service delivery?
We will pay particular attention to factors of workforce development and technology use.
How We Identify Who is "High Performing"
We will study CRPs that support people with IDD in obtaining, maintaining, and advancing in individual CIE. We will identify them based on evidence-based indicators established through Studies 1 and 2, as well as findings from prior research.
Some indicators that we consider when identifying high-performing CRPs include:
- percentage of individuals with IDD working for pay in CIE
- percentage of CRP staff providing CIE services
- presence of nationally recognized certification in employment services
What We Will Produce
Building on more than 15 years of ICI research documenting promising practices among CRPs, and grounded in the Ten Elements of Provider Transformation, this study will contribute updated evidence on how high-performing CRPs operationalize effective service delivery in practice.
Want to stay informed?
Sign up for the ICI email list to receive updates and the following products:
- A peer-reviewed journal article
- Six CRP case studies highlighting effective CIE strategies
- Two Research-to-Practice briefs focused on workforce development and technology use
From Research to Practice
Knowledge Translation
The final phase of the CRP Project focuses on knowledge translation (KT): taking all our research findings and turning them into practical, accessible guidance for CRPs, policymakers, and others with vested interest in this work.
Our Advisory Board will lead an Expert Review Process to refine findings from Studies 1–3 and ensure recommendations are practical, evidence-based, and relevant to the field.
Want to stay informed?
Sign up for the ICI email list to receive updates and the following products:
- A guidance document for CRPs and policymakers
- A plain-language summary of the guidance document
- An Easy Read summary of the guidance document
- A Research-to-Policy brief with actionable recommendations
- At least two national conference presentations