In this session, presenters share findings from a national focus group study identifying quality indicators that support successful competitive integrated employment (CIE) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The session explores the research-to-practice gap in supported employment and presents actionable strategies across four core practice areas: job seeker profiling, job development, job-site training, and long-term support. Presenters also highlight modifiable system-level influences such as policy, staffing, and funding, and discuss efforts to develop a fidelity scale based on these quality indicators.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the research-to-practice gap in supported employment and how it affects outcomes for individuals with IDD.
• Explore essential quality indicators across all phases of supported employment that promote individualized services and sustainable job placements.