Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

(b)This agency has requested a waiver of statewideness. The types of services to be provided by the program on a statewide basis are as follows: • JOINTLY FUNDED JOB COACHES: The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services enters into third party cooperative agreements with twenty–seven (27) local education agencies. These agreements are written and carried out in compliance with 34 CFR 361.28. The agreements provide for jointly funded job coaches to provide pre–employment transition services that are not typically or customarily provided by the LEA. These pre–employment transition services are designed to increase the likelihood of independence and inclusion of students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, in communities, as well as, maximize opportunities for these students for competitive integrated employment. Services are individualized and are directly related to preparing students to enter and maintain integrated competitive employment in the community. Services provided by Job Coaches include: (1) assisting with development of school based learning, developing work based learning experiences (paid or unpaid) in the community; (2) assisting VR counselor with providing job readiness (resume writing, interview skills, completing applications, etc.); and, (3) developing competitive integrated employment sites. Once job placement is accomplished, on site job coaching is provided. Students served by this program include: (1) those with disabilities following the Alternate Achievement Standards Pathway; (2) those with disabilities exiting with the Alabama High School Diploma, not enrolled in Career Technical Education; and, (3) those with disabilities following the Essential Life Skills Pathway for services not typically or customarily provided by the LEA. State Unit approval will be obtained before services are initiated. All services will be provided in accordance with the agency’s approved State Plan. The agency has on record that no federal funds are used by the LEA to provide their share of the services. LEAs with which third–party third cooperative agreements for Job Coaches are being formulated are: Alabama Institute for Deaf & Blind, Alabama School for the Blind– Talladega County; Alabama Institute for Deaf & Blind Alabama School for the Deaf – Talladega County; Anniston City – Calhoun County; Baldwin County – Jefferson County; Bessemer City; Blount County; Clarke County; Escambia County; Etowah County; Eufaula City – Barbour County; Hale County; Haleyville City – Winston County; Homewood City – Jefferson County; Lauderdale County; Leeds City – Jefferson County; Limestone County; Marshall County; Monroe County; Pell City – St. Clair County; Piedmont City – Calhoun County; Pike County; St. Clair County; Shelby County; Sylacauga City – Talladega County; Talladega County; Tarrant City – Jefferson County. • PROJECT SEARCH: Project SEARCH is a one–year internship program for students with disabilities in the last year of high school. It is targeted for students whose goal is competitive employment. The program takes place in a healthcare, government, or business setting where total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process as well as the acquisition of employability and marketable work skills. Students participate in up to three (3) internships to explore a variety of career paths. The students work with a team that includes their family, a special education teacher, and job coaches to create an employment goal, and to support the student during this important transition from school to work. The program is a cooperative arrangement between the employer, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the State Department of Education, the Development Disabilities Council, the Department of Mental Health, and the local school system. The program is currently available in the following counties: Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Shelby, Etowah, Marshall, Baldwin, and two (2) programs in Mobile. When participating in Project SEARCH, the student actually goes to the employment site each day as opposed to going to the school. The LEA provides a classroom teacher to provide employment instruction in the morning, and the students go to assigned work stations the remainder of the day. Work stations may include patient escort, food service, instrument sterilization, and other settings in the hospital. No funds from other participating agencies are used to match federal money drawn down by ADRS. State Unit approval is obtained before services are initiated. All services are provided in accordance with the agency’s approved State Plan. • INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT AND SUPPORTS (IPS SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT): IPS Supported Employment is an approach to support employment for individuals with serious mental illness. IPS is evidence–based SE that is based on the following principles: (1) zero exclusion, (2) competitive employment in the community, (3) mental health treatment and employment services being integrated, (4) benefits planning provided, (5) job search occurs rapidly, (6) employment specialists develop relationships with employers in their communities, (7) job supports are continuous, and, (8) consumer preferences are honored. In 2014, Alabama applied for and was among seven states that received a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement IPS Supported Employment at two sites in the state. The grant is for five years, during which time our agency and partners will be working towards sustainability and expansion. Currently IPS is being implemented at Chilton Shelby in West Alabama (rural site) and at Alapointe in Mobile. No funds from other participating agencies are used to match federal money drawn down by ADRS. State Unit approval is obtained before services are initiated. All services are provided in accordance with the agency’s approved State Plan.

No funds from these participating agencies are used to match federal money drawn down by ADRS.