Narrative: d. 2. N. i.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 defines supported employment as competitive work in integrated settings for individuals with severe disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for individuals for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a severe disability, and who, because of their disability, need ongoing support services to perform such work. In Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2015, 467 individuals with most significant disabilities received services through supported employment programs funded by Title VI. The Department projects to serve at least this many individuals in FFY 2016.

DARS will continue to reserve and expend 50% of its Title VI funds on youth with the most significant disabilities. DARS policies will allow for the provision of extended services for a period not to exceed four years and DARS will continue to utilize other funds (non–Title VI) for SE services for youth. These funds are utilized once the Title VI funds are exhausted.

Other activities include:

(1) continuing to improve the quality of supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities through training and technical assistance. The Department will continue its efforts to deliver quality supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities by: (a) providing ongoing training and technical assistance to VR staff and Employment Services Organizations (ESO) on long term follow along options; (b) conducting, on a regular basis, reviews of cases in long term follow along to ensure that appropriate quality services are being provided along with effective and efficient use of funds; and (c) developing guidance for, and training, counselors to use the annual ESO Outcomes Report as an effective tool to assist clients in making ESO choices.

(2) providing training to ESO staff and VR counselors and other staff. The Department will continue to strengthen the skills of supported employment professionals through training conducted by Department staff and regional provider forums. Training will be developed in part based on gaps and needs identified in the ESO Performance Report, stakeholder feedback and program evaluations. Training will include an increased emphasis on community integration and raising average hourly wages of consumers.

(3) expanding services to areas across the Commonwealth that have limited choice of provider options. (a) Identify areas of the Commonwealth where supported employment services are not readily accessible; (b) establish a system to assist existing ESOs to expand into areas of the Commonwealth that are underserved.

(4) assure a full range of choices are available in order to meet the vocational needs of consumers requiring supported employment services. Virginia uses all supported employment models, including the individual placement model, the enclave model, the entrepreneurial model and mobile work crews. Individual placement is the most widely used, and generally offers higher wage rates, better benefits and more flexibility in meeting the needs of customers and employers in an integrated work setting. The group models are important options that provide for the constant presence of the Employment Specialist at the job site to support customers who need intensive supervision in order to maintain employment.

(5) explore alternative funding mechanisms for long term follow along supports for consumers needing supported employment services, including Social Security Work Incentives.