Narrative: d. 2. Q. i.

The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) vendor acknowledgment process includes an in–service training session for prospective new vendors and training updates as requested. During the training session, participants receive a Service Provider Guide and an introduction to the DRS process for providing supported employment (SE) services. DRS also loans SE training books and materials at no cost.

The quality of SE services is directly tied to the competency of the personnel performing job development and community based training services. DRS encourages and supports the provision of a broad range of in–service training programs for personnel directly involved in SE service delivery.

DRS is committed to ensuring the availability of SE services throughout West Virginia as reflected in progress toward DRS Goal 5 {Continue to build collaborative relationships with community providers [including community rehabilitation programs (CRPs), Independent Living, and other community providers] to enhance the availability of services to DRS consumers}. There are currently 63 DRS–acknowledged SE vendors from all districts across the state. These vendors make SE services available to an increasing number of individuals with the most significant disabilities.

In accordance with federal regulations, the SE services that may be provided to individuals and youth with disabilities placed in SE include:

1. Evaluation of rehabilitation potential for SE to supplement the comprehensive assessment conducted under the Title I program;

2. Job development;

3. Job placement;

4. Intensive on–the–job training provided by skilled job coaches/employment specialists;

5. Case management services;

6. Job monitoring, whether performed on–site or off–site, that includes regular contact with employees, employers, parents, guardians, and other professionals to reinforce and maintain the job placement;

7. Rehabilitation technology assessment and services as appropriate; and

8. Post–employment services (following transition to extended SE services) that are available from the extended service provider and that are needed to maintain the SE job placement.

As appropriate, youth with disabilities placed in SE may also receive transition services and pre–employment transition services (PETS) that include:

1. Job exploration counseling;

2. Work–based learning experiences, which may include in–school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible;

3. Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education;

4. Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living;

5. Instruction in self–advocacy, which may include peer mentoring.

The demand and need for SE services continues to be significant, particularly in rural areas, as well as for those individuals who are transitioning from school to the workforce. DRS continues its commitment to expanding the statewide capacity for SE services.

DRS will continue to provide SE services to its consumers and will acknowledge additional SE service providers where needed. The Division will continue to consider non–traditional approaches to SE service delivery and will increasingly emphasize the development of natural supports wherever possible. DRS anticipates that more individuals will receive services with the increased number of approved SE providers.

DRS authorized SE services to 259 individuals in FY 2015.

While SE services may be expected to vary in scope and duration from individual to individual, core services that may be provided to individuals and youth with disabilities placed in SE can include:

1. Assessment of the individual’s environmental circumstances;

2. Job analysis and job development;

3. Rehabilitation technology assessment;

4. Job placement following appropriate match of job/consumer characteristics identified in during assessment, job analysis, and job development (services 1 and 2 above);

5. Intensive, one–on–one, on–the–job training;

6. Job stabilization, job coach fading as much as possible; and

7. Extended Supported Employment Services (ESES), optimally including natural supports.

In order to ensure that priority of resources is given to those individuals with the most significant disabilities, DRS will continue to implement an order of selection (OS) in FY 2017, where applicants meeting the criteria for OS priority categories 3 and 4 will be placed on a waiting list.