Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
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* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. Q. i. The Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services to Be Provided to Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities, Including Youth with the Most Significant Disabilities.
Current Narrative:
Person–centered planning is used to assist individuals referred by mental health programs in selecting an employment goal; needed services and supports; and service providers that are needed to reach the supported employment goal. Services that are provided include, but are not limited to individual community–based placement; trial work experiences; psychosocial rehabilitation via clubhouse programs; job coaching; job referral; job development; job placement; and long–term follow along (including natural supports). Supported employment services are provided in integrated community settings to the maximum extent possible. Michigan Rehabilitation Services provides extended services until the customer has stabilized on their job. Following job stabilization, Michigan Rehabilitation Services closes the customer file and the local Community Mental Health Services Programs or natural supports are utilized to provide extended services.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services will be adjusting the service delivery system to allocate 50 percent of the federal supported employment allotment on supported employment services for eligible youth with the most significant disabilities.
The Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services including Michigan Rehabilitation Services will continue to collaborate to improve supported employment resources and services for youth at the state and local levels. Specific strategies and support services are used for students with the most significant disabilities, such as longer job coach utilization; assistive technology; specific job development approaches; and implementation of effective employment models.
Due to the Mental Health Wellness Commission Report recommendations and subsequent funding allocation, Project SEARCH (PS) is a specific employment model for students with disabilities with the most significant disabilities that is expanding in Michigan. PS is an employer driven model that offers a year of work–based learning experiences for transition students prior to their exit from secondary education. The goal of PS programming is employment at the host employer or at another employer consistent with the student’s interests, strengths and abilities. At the present time there are eleven Project SEARCH programs in Michigan. In the fall of 2015, three additional Project SEARCH programs will be added. All of the programs have Michigan Rehabilitation Services, education and host business as collaborative partners. Some of the programs also have Bureau of Services for Blind Persons and community mental health as additional partners.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services has developed a commitment letter to be used with Project SEARCH partners. The goal of this letter is to promote consistency around the state in Project SEARCH contracts, in implementation of practices (including fees) and in measuring outcome data/return on investment. Another goal of the letter is to clarify Michigan Rehabilitation Services’ interests, roles and responsibilities in Project SEARCH programs. Existing Project SEARCH programs and future programs will use this letter with Project SEARCH partners in lieu of Project SEARCH contracts.