Virginia EPIC

Real Pay for Real Jobs: Eliminating Subminimum Wage Employment

Project Overview

Funding: $4,290,000 | U.S. Department of Education (2022-2028)
Full Title: RPRJ EPIC (Real Pay for Real Jobs Education and Outreach, Partnership Development, provisions of Individualized Services and Capacity Building)
Administering Organization: Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

The Virginia EPIC initiative aims to effectively eliminate subminimum wage employment (SWE) in Virginia by transitioning individuals with disabilities from segregated work settings to competitive integrated employment. This comprehensive project combines education, outreach, partnership development, individualized services, and capacity building to create sustainable pathways to economic independence for workers with disabilities.

Goals & Objectives

Transition Goals

  • Move 300-350 current subminimum wage workers to competitive integrated employment (CIE)
  • Divert 350-400 at-risk youth with disabilities from pursuing segregated employment

Target Population

  • Individuals with disabilities currently in subminimum wage positions
  • Youth with disabilities receiving Medicaid Waiver services at risk of entering segregated work

Research & Evaluation

The Research and Innovation for Social and Economic Inclusion Lab at Northwestern University conducts comprehensive project evaluation, including:

  • Baseline qualitative findings
  • Interactive dashboards with education and employment outcome data
  • Comparative analysis of outcomes for individuals with and without disabilities
  • Data spanning 2003-2023 from Virginia AWARE database
  • National-level comparative data from American Community Survey (2000-2021)

Data & Tools

Interactive dashboards and visualizations

Subminimum Wage Elimination Over Time

Interactive visualization tracking the transition from subminimum wage employment to competitive integrated employment, documenting progress in Section 14(c) elimination efforts.

View Dashboard →

Virginia Geographical Analysis

Interactive maps and datasets showing employment outcomes across Virginia school divisions and localities.

View Dashboard →

Virginia Census Data Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of educational and employment outcomes using census and administrative data.

View Dashboard →

Publications & Working Papers

Publications related to this project will be added as they become available.

News & Media

  • RPRJ EPIC Evaluation Team Updates: MAY 2024 (May 8, 2024)
    Updates on the RPRJ EPIC project evaluation activities for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.
    Read More →
  • RPRJ EPIC Project Evaluation: Baseline Qualitative Findings (March 8, 2024)
    Initial qualitative research findings from the Virginia EPIC project evaluation examining the transition from subminimum wage employment to competitive integrated employment.
    Read More →
  • New Grant Assesses Ending the Subminimum Wage (September 20, 2023)
    Announcement of the Virginia EPIC grant to assess and support the elimination of subminimum wage employment in Virginia.
    Read More →

Project Contact

For more information about the Virginia EPIC project, please contact:
Email: risei@northwestern.edu

Visit RISEI Lab Project Page →