Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) maintains a viable working partnership with 26 Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) statewide. The CRPs play a vital role in assisting the department to meet its mission of providing quality employment outcomes for individuals with severe disabilities. Currently, the Accreditation Commission (CARF) accredits 25 of the CRPs in Alabama and one provider who is in a “provisional status” and has agreed to meet CARF standards in a twelve—month time frame. As the nature of services provided by CRPs continues to change, the options regarding standards and accreditation requirements will change. Within the CRP section area, one State Office Administrator supervises the general CRP programs, another State Office Administrator supervises the Supported Employment Providers (SEP) and both share an Administrative Assistant. All three employees report to the Assistant Commissioner of VR general field services. The CRP Administrator(s) are responsible for initiating agreements with non—profits and for profits from which ADRS consumers receive services. CRP section staff review the qualifications of both nonprofits and for profits, meet to discuss fees and payment rates, and monitor service delivery through management/data reports and field visits. Beginning 3/1/2017, ADRS required that new community providers meet the accreditation requirements of The Accreditation Commission (CARF). Community providers who are already approved, prior to this date, with Provisional Provider Status, will be expected to achieve permanent status (accreditation by The Accreditation Commission-CARF) at their annual review. This accreditation must be approved no later than one year from their MOA date.

Prior to 3/1/2017, community rehabilitation providers with current MOAs whose primary focus was to provide supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities were certified through the Department of Mental Health. These providers can continue to provide services but are encouraged to pursue CARF accreditation. All new supported employment vendors will need CARF certification, regardless of current Mental Health approval or certification.

This requirement provides some assurance that CRP’s address issues like ADA accessibility, accountability, safety, staff qualifications, accommodations, and affirmative action in hiring persons with disabilities and address any special communication needs of consumers. Currently, the CRP Administrator meets with CRP staff to discuss services and formulate an agreement that establishes agreed upon fees, referrals, and employment goals for each CRP. This information is shared with local counselors so that appropriate referrals and service authorizations can be made to the CRPs. The department continues to work cooperatively with CRPs statewide to improve services at the local level. There is a continuous need for services. The development and establishment of new programs will change with the assessment of consumer needs. Based on an assessment of the capacity and effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation services currently provided by CRPs statewide, a number of trends appear to be taking place: • Increased emphasis on serving individuals that are considered underserved, individuals with the most significant disabilities, and individuals residing in rural areas of the state. • Increased emphasis on consumer choice. • Increased emphasis on serving ADRS consumers in their home communities. • Increased emphasis on competitive integrated employment. • Increased emphasis on high school students with disabilities through Pre-Employment Transition Services. • Increased emphasis on community based services. • CRPs are becoming more diversified regarding services provided and funding streams. More options regarding accreditation requirements as providers and the nature of service provision changes. The department’s commissioner, the assistant commissioners for general field services, and blind/deaf services, and the CRP specialists meet regularly with all community rehabilitation program directors. These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern, improve communication, and focus on the continuous improvement of the partnership. Supported employment is available in Alabama to individuals who require intensive and extended support services for an appropriate and successful employment outcome. Supported employment services are available through some 38 community based providers in the state. These services are currently provided in all regions of the state through cooperative agreements with community—based organizations and agencies. The availability of job coach services is provided in most of the state’s network of 26 community rehabilitation programs. Additionally, specialized community based services for blind and deaf consumers are being expanded and developed in local communities throughout the state. • Services provided by the CRPs are monitored in various ways-most at the local level (counselor/supervisor) in terms of quality and timeliness of services. Monthly reports of employment services are required. Liaisons are assigned to monitor CRP referrals, and receive updates on progress. Additionally, they handle authorization reviews and handle individual concerns that may arise. The CRP dashboard enables supervisors and state office staff to monitor services delivered and outcomes. The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services continues to stay abreast of national issues regarding community rehabilitation facilities through its attendance and participation in conferences of state and national significance including Alabama Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (AARF), Alabama Association of People Supporting Employment First (AL—APSE), Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), and National Rehabilitation Association (NRA). Collaborative efforts between ADRS Computer Services and the CRP section have recently developed computer generated reports that assist the CRP section in tracking targeted CRP goals and outcomes such as numbers of individuals successfully employed, cost per successful closure, and average wage.