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

The goals from 4.11(c)(4) for FY 2016 and FY 2017 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 During the program reporting period of July 2016 to June 2017, ARS increased SE referral authorizations by 49 percent from 259 to 385. The SE successful employment outcomes increased from 127 to 139, which is a 9.45 percent increase. However, SE outcomes constituted 5 percent of overall ARS 26 closures, which is substantially lower than the national average for all VR General Agencies of approximately 12 percent.