Traditionally, disabled persons have received vocational training in sheltered workshops and after evaluation have been placed into work activity, extended sheltered employment, or transitional employment programs. Transition then to competitive employment is atypical for persons with severe disabilities. Their employment situation has improved recently due to development of competitive employment programs or supported work models of competitive employment. Supported work relates to the use of new, improved practices that have been shown to be effective in competitively employing persons with severe disabilities. Components of the supported work approach are assessment of work behavior, job identification, placement, training, and maintenance and generalization. A local provider in Illinois has offered supported work programs (food service and janitorial services). Of the 134 persons who have participated, 43 percent have been multiply handicapped and 108 have completed training and been placed on jobs in the community. This supported work program is funded primarily by federal and state monies distributed at the local level. Two agencies involved are the Department of Rehabilitation Services and Job Training Partnership Act agencies. Personnel preparation programs at the preservice and inservice levels need to incorporate the practices developed in model demonstration programs. A model curriculum should be competency-based, field-based, and behaviorally grounded; include community-referenced curriculum development; and provide a focus on transition skills. (YLB)