Employment personal assistance services (EPAS): A Medicaid work support

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Holt, Judith M. | Chambless, Catherine E. | Hammond, Marilyn

Affiliations: Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA | Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Judith M. Holt, 6880 Old Main Hill, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-6880, USA. Tel.: +1 435 797 7157; Fax: +1 435 797 7219; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 provided legislative underpinnings for expanding personal assistance services to support employment for individuals with significant disabilities. The program of employment personal assistance services (EPAS) was developed by the State of Utah through the Medicaid State plan. The program provides assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living both at home and at work to individuals with disabilities who work a minimum of 40 hours per month. Over one-third of program participants, at time of the evaluation, had psychiatric disabilities. A program evaluation conducted on the EPAS program finds participants experienced enhanced well-being and quality of life and improved employment outcomes. The evaluation identifies areas for further program improvement.

Keywords: Employment, personal assistance services, EPAS

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 165-175, 2006