Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Section 1. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation administers the Supported Employment Program under Title VI, Part B of the Rehabilitation Act. Supported Employment occurs in an integrated setting where individuals with the most significant disabilities receive minimum wage or above for work. In the absence of the services available as part of supported employment, many of the participants would not obtain or retain employment. The Division is focused on providing quality services through the use of the following strategies: *Quality Assurance Reviews of all supported employment programs operated by rehabilitation providers. A representative from the administrative unit and representatives from Vocational Rehabilitation Services meet with staff from the Community Rehabilitation Programs on a quarterly basis to review progress and resolve programmatic issues. *Oversight monitoring in partnership with long term funding agencies. At least quarterly, representatives from the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) meet with DVR program staff to address issues related to the smooth transition from DVR services to the extended services provided by the other divisions. In addition, DVR is represented on the Division of Developmental Disability Services (DDDS) Day Service Advisory Committee in which supported employment is routinely discussed. *DVR coordinates the Customized Employment Bootcamp training that is provided by George Tilson, Ed.D, formerly with TransCen, Inc., to offer training on the discovery process, job development, business engagement and coaching to front line staff at the community rehabilitation programs (CRP), local education agencies (LEAs), DVR, families and businesses. The training program certifies staff providing services through the programs, a contractual requirement for both DVR and DDDS in regard to provider training. Bi—monthly training work groups have been held with DVR, DDDS and CRP staff, along with Dr. Tilson, to determine training needs in Delaware and the capacity to increase the Bootcamp training. This group continues to work with Dr. Tilson to identify the most effective way to develop a “Train the Trainer” component to the Bootcamp. In 2017, the Customized Employment Bootcamp was offered twice with plans to increase to 3 times in PY 2018, increasing the capacity to 80—100 staff being trained per year. DVR works with the Department of Education and the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services to fund and coordinate training to provide it at no cost to participants. *The ongoing development of training programs to maintain and increase the expertise of all staff providing supported employment services. Staff from all of the State agencies, including DVR, participates in training programs to enhance their abilities to provide supported employment services. Training opportunities include online resources, in-person trainings and statewide symposiums with other SE stakeholders in order to provide a variety of methods for staff to access training. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is currently under Order of Selection which prioritizes services to individuals with the most significant disabilities. DVR has been able to serve all individuals with most significant disabilities. With the elimination of Title VI, Part B funds, DVR funds supported employment services with Title I funds. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provides supported employment services for individuals considered to have the most significant disabilities and for whom long term funding has been secured for extended services, natural supports can be developed on the job or for individuals who require extended supports through DVR funding. The division uses needs assessments and strategic plans to identify and address the needs of unserved and/or underserved populations. The need for supported employment services is evident in the comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA). The CSNA also indicates the need for services for individuals with physical disabilities. DVR is exploring the long—term follow—along options that may make supported employment services for individuals with physical disabilities possible. DVR conducts a supported employment assessment for every client referred to the supported employment program to determine the client’s need for the intensive services available through the program. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation works with the DDDS, local education agencies and the DSAMH to identify appropriate referrals for supported employment services. Primary indicators for supported employment are: *Demonstrated inability to maintain employment utilizing traditional employment programs without extended follow—along services as the result of a most significant disability. *Indication that, due to the significance of the disability, the individual is not likely to obtain and maintain employment in the absence of intensive services from DVR and extended services from DDDS, DSAMH or natural supports. Individuals with the most significant mental health or cognitive disabilities who are identified as appropriate for supported employment services will have the following services available: 1. Assessment services to assist the individual in selecting an appropriate vocational goal consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, interests, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choice. 2. Job development and job placement in an integrated work environment based on the results of the assessment. 3. Intensive job coaching services on—site and/or off—site to enable the individual to become stabilized in his or her employment. 4. Upon stabilization, DVR and the agency identified to provide extended services commence the transition to extended services. DVR will be the lead service provider, facilitating communication with the individual, the employer, and the extended service provider for a minimum of 90 days following stabilization. 5. The individual will be eligible for post—employment services for those services unavailable through the extended service provider for a time period not to exceed four (4) years. This process remains the same for transition students, however, for those who achieve employment while still in high school and reach stabilization and 90 days of successful employment prior to exiting, funding options will be discussed by DOE and/or the LEA, DDDS and DVR. Due to the well—established Early Start to Supported Employment program, all entities collaborate regularly as well as for individual situations and decisions are made based on requirements and responsibilities of each agency involved in order to maintain employment supports for the student.