Narrative: d. 2. P. ii. I.

The goals from 4.11(c)(4) for FY 2014 and FY 2015 were to increase the availability of Supported Employment (SE) Services to consumers by providing technical assistance to vendors and to increase the number of referrals for SE services. The strategy employs technical assistance and key incentives to SE providers, including CRPs that are designed to increase the availability of SE services to consumers. At the same time, the agency will place greater emphasis on proven and innovative supported employment outcomes and integrated community performance based outcomes.

The strategy involves an increased focus on SE outcomes resulting in a competitive wage integrated employment that culminates in a career outcome in contrast to the traditional sheltered employment. Based on WIOA, ARS will update the interagency agreements with the state agencies serving individuals with the most significant disabilities including: The Department of Human Services Divisions of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), Services for the Blind (DSB), Medical Services (DMS), Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), Department of Workforce Services (DWS), and the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit (ADE SEU) The agreement places an emphasis on competitive employment as a desirable outcome for individuals with the most significant disabilities including those with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses.

ARS is developing additional certification criteria for SE service providers. The criteria include updated requirements for certification and training for job coaches. ARS increased fee schedules and negotiated contracts for services with providers in an attempt to increase service providers, and incentives to service providers, to increase employment outcomes for individuals with the most significant disabilities.

ARS Evaluation and Progress

• Over the last two years, ARS increased SE referral authorizations by 69 percent (370) with 273 individuals securing SE employment outcomes, which is an increase in successful closures by 73 percent. However, SE outcomes constituted only 4.1 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively, in FY 2014 and FY 2015; substantially lower than the national average for all VR General Agencies of approximately 12 percent.
• ARS collaborated with a group of stakeholders (20) to develop and update the job coach training certificate program. The stakeholders group included new and long standing SE leadership who represented large, small, and rural providers, potential SE providers of developmental disabilities, the Developmental Disabilities Providers Association, the Arkansas Waiver Association, and the Arkansas APSE Association.