Narrative: d. 2. N. ii. II.

VR will purchase Supported Employment (SE) services for consumers with most significant disabilities (MSD), with the funds received under section 603 of the Rehabilitation Act. Consumers are able to access SE services through Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs), which include Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) across the state. SE services, if appropriate for the individual’s plan for employment, are provided through Title VI-B dollars. VR will continue to supplement funding of supported employment services to meet demand through Title I funds.

VR implemented major revisions to VR employment services in July 2015. Prior to these revisions, VR purchased employment services primarily through a Results Based Funding (RBF) approach. One significant revision that occurred is that SE services are no longer fully funded through employment milestones (or the previous RBF model). Because many individuals with MSD will require SE services that extend beyond the employment milestone payments, SE services are funded in addition to the current employment milestone payments. VR funding for SE services is outlined in the Table below. (Please note that the complete employment service model, implemented July 2015, can be viewed at www.vrs.in.gov). For more specific information, please see Attachment (q).

With the employment service changes, VR has collaborated with IIDC and Griffin and Hammis to provide additional training and technical assistance to Community Rehabilitation Providers and VR in the area of Discovery statewide. The training focused on Discovery, which is an individualized information gathering process that will guide employment services for the consumer. The training provided a framework to develop and implement a person-centered employment plan. While Discovery is important for many consumers, it is critical for consumers with the most significant disabilities and has an impact on their supported employment needs. VR continues to work collaboratively with the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS), the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), the Department of Education, IIDC, INARF, INAPSE, the Arc of Indiana, and other key stakeholders to improve competitive integrated employment opportunities for consumers with the most significant disabilities through supported employment. Interagency collaboration will aim to increase the quality of SE services, including customized employment, and ensure appropriate extended services are appropriately utilized when necessary for long-term supports.

VR continues to partner with schools to provide appropriate outreach and education to students and youth with disabilities who may need supported employment. In addition, VR may provide work experiences or job-shadow opportunities to students and youth with disabilities. Furthermore, Project SEARCH provides students and youth with quality internship experiences in preparation for competitive employment and VR plans to expand these opportunities in the future.

VR is working with BDDS, schools, families, and CRPs to create a coordinated process and supported employment services to assist individuals with the most significant disabilities, especially youth with disabilities who are considering subminimum wage employment or may need extended services. Supported employment services are important services in order to provide opportunities to achieve competitive integrated employment.

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.