Federal Advocacy
What Percentage is the Federal Reimbursement Rate to Your State?
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid and Multiplier
New England States
Massachusetts
FY 2022
56.20%
New Hampshire
FY 2022
56.20%
Vermont
FY 2022
62.67%
Maine
FY 2022
62.67%
Connecticut
FY 2022
56.20%
Rhode Island
FY 2022
61.08%
FMAP rates vary by state. You can find the rates for the different states here.
Myths and Facts about vocational work centers
Concerned Advocates of New England supports competitive employment opportunities for individuals with IDD who are able to participate. However, the Raise The Wage Act does not account for those individuals with IDD that cannot participate due to their disability.
The consequences for these individuals would be devastating.
The Raise The Wage Act would phase out or eliminate Vocational Centers for people with IDD and the specialized wage certificates that enable them to participate in these programs. As advocates for individuals with IDD, Concerned Advocates of New England know “first hand” the reality that many individuals with IDD, severe autism, and self-injurious or aggressive behaviors cannot participate in competitive employment environments.
Vocational Centers provide a niche employment opportunity for a cohort of individuals with a unique combination of both abilities and disabilities, who desire to develop skills, to be productive members of society, and to participate in a community of their peers.
Please see below the “Myths and Facts” about Vocational Work Centers.
MYTH 1
Eliminating 14(c) certificates of the Fair Labors and Standards Act will increase employment rates of all individuals with disabilities.
FACT
14(c) wage certificates of the Fair Labors and Standards Act allow employers to afford to provide the specialized services needed by people with IDD who are not able to adapt to competitive employment. Eliminating these wage certificates will force the closure of vocational work centers, eliminating jobs with no replacement in competitive employment.
MYTH 2
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families are dissatisfied with vocational work centers.
FACT
Vocational work centers (formerly referred to as sheltered workshops) are valued for the services they provide to people with IDD who are unable to adapt to competitive employment. When these centers are threatened with closure, employees with IDD and their families are the most fervent advocates for keeping them open.
MYTH 3
Vocational work centers are isolating environments.
FACT
These work centers are part of the greater community. Those who choose jobs at work centers develop a sense of accomplishment and self-worth because of work completed. Far from being isolating, they offer people a sense of camaraderie and a chance to interact with their peers.
MYTH 4
Vocational work centers are the only choice for work for people with intellectual disabilities.
FACT
There are many resources available through state vocational rehabilitation departments to assist with opportunities for competitive employment. No one can legally be forced to work in a vocational work center.
MYTH 5
Work centers do not provide opportunities to transition to competitive employment in the community.
FACT
For those who can develop skills to work in competitive employment, work centers provide opportunities to learn skills necessary to be successful such as being on time, working with others, and completing assigned tasks.
MYTH 6
All people, no matter the nature of their disability, can find competitive employment.
FACT
Some individuals have more difficulty adapting to competitive employment. Vocational centers provide opportunities for work while providing more specialized supports such as personal hygiene care, preventing and attending to seizures, or helping with behavioral issues and developing social skills.
MYTH 7
Work centers do not provide for meaningful jobs.
FACT
Examples of work opportunities include: manufacturing, item assembly, recycling, packaging, repair, and machine operating. https://dese.mo.gov/special-education/sheltered-
workshops/jobs-performed-sheltered-workshops
MYTH 8
Oversight of vocational work centers is lax.
FACT
According to the Department of Labor: “All subminimum wages must be reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at periodic intervals. At a minimum, the productivity of hourly paid workers must be reevaluated every six months and a new prevailing wage survey must be conducted at least every twelve months.”
https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs39.pdf
MYTH 9
Vocational work centers violate the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision.
FACT
The 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision supports CHOICE. Closing these centers contradicts the opinion expressed by the majority of Justices in Olmstead by eliminating a desired, chosen and helpful employment option.