Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

With the VR employment service changes mentioned above, VR and BDDS worked collaboratively to update an extended service definition for Indiana’s Family Supports Waiver and Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver in order to clarify extended services activities and compliment the supported employment changes made in VR. Both changes became effective on July 1, 2015.

Extended services are ongoing support and other appropriate services that are needed to support and maintain a youth with a most significant disability in supported employment and that are provided by a State agency, a private nonprofit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource. There are times when extended services are required for the youth to maintain employment but may not be available through traditional sources (e.g., the youth does not qualify for BDDS funding or a Medicaid Waiver, or natural supports are not available). In these instances, VR may provide funding to assist youth with the most significant disabilities in maintaining an employment outcome in supported employment.

VR may provide funding for extended services in accordance with the needs of each youth after all additional options for Extended Services have been exhausted and the youth has exhausted at least 24 months of SE services. Sources of extended services through BDDS, Medicaid, natural supports, or other options will be utilized before VR funds. Extended services may be purchased through written agreements with CRPs, and are paid at the same hourly rate as SE services as outlined in the VR Manual of Employment Services.