Employment First Accreditation

Demonstrate your organization’s commitment to excellence through Employment First accreditation. Gain recognition, improve practices, and join a network of leading organizations.

Why Employment First Accreditation?

What Sets Employment First Accreditation Apart: Access to SHIFT Subject Matter Experts

Employment First accreditation is not simply a standards review. It is an operational partnership. Organizations gain direct access to national experts in competitive integrated employment, organizational transformation, and systems alignment who understand the policy, funding, workforce, and cultural realities of advancing Employment First in complex service environments.

SHIFT experts provide focused, practical guidance to strengthen employment infrastructure, align service planning and performance expectations, refine outcome tracking, and address structural barriers that limit competitive integrated employment. They support organizations in translating philosophical commitment into measurable employment outcomes.

This partnership accelerates systems change, minimizes fragmentation across departments, and ensures that Employment First becomes embedded in leadership strategy, daily practice, and organizational accountability—not confined to a single program or team.

Employment First Accreditation Process Flow

Step 1

Group Education

Step 2

Application & Payment

Step 3

Organizational Employment Plan

Step 4

Data

Step 8

Goals

Step 7

Employment Team

Step 6

Surveys

Step 5

File Reviews

Step 9

Accreditation Determination

Benefits of Accreditation

Embeds Employment First into Organizational Strategy

Positions competitive integrated employment as the expected and preferred outcome across services, with leadership-level commitment and board oversight driving sustained transformation.

Aligns Policy, Practice, and Funding Systems

Ensures intake, service planning, training, performance expectations, and funding strategies consistently support competitive integrated employment.

Strengthens Infrastructure, Data, and Accountability

Improves outcome tracking, measures real employment results and advancement, and creates cross-department accountability for employment performance.

Builds Workforce Competence and Employer Partnerships

Develops staff expertise in discovery, job development, workplace supports, and career advancement while strengthening relationships with employers as valued business partners.

Reduces Reliance on Segregated Service Models

Supports structured transition planning away from facility-based or non-integrated options toward inclusive, community-based employment pathways.

Enhances Credibility, Funding Alignment, and Civil Rights Leadership

Demonstrates alignment with state and federal Employment First priorities, increases access to partnership opportunities, and positions the organization as a leader in advancing equity, full citizenship, and economic participation.

Employment First Education Requirements for Accreditation

Organization Annual Revenue	$1-$1,000,000	$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	$5,000,001 - $10,000,000	$10,000,001 - $30,000,000	$30,000,001 - $50,000,000	$50,000,001 - $100,000,000	$100,000,001+
EFL Certification	1	1	2	2	2	3	4
EFJC Certifications	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
EFJD Certifications	1	1	1	2	2	2	3
Employment First Foundations	10	15	20	25	50	75	125

Plans and Pricing

Accreditation pricing is based on your organization’s annual revenue.

$12,000

Accreditation Fee

Ready to Get Started?

Click below to complete an inquiry form and a SHIFT team member will be in touch!