The cost-trends of supported employment versus sheltered employment

This study investigated the cost-trends of supported and sheltered employees with mental retardation as they completed one "employment cycle" (i.e., from the point they entered their programs to the point when they changed their jobs, left their program, or otherwise stopped receiving services). Data indicate that the cumulative costs generated by supported employees are much lower than the cumulative costs generated by sheltered employees ($6,618 versus $19,388). Further the cost-trend of supported employees was downward while the cost-trend of sheltered employees was slightly upward, indicating that the costs of supported employment decline over time while those of sheltered workshops increase.