Narrative: d. 2. Q. ii.

Supported employment services are provided up to 24 months from when employment begins unless the team has determined that more time is necessary for the client to achieve job stabilization before the client transitions to extended services. In these cases, the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) can be amended to provide a longer period of services to fully attain the weekly work goal and/or stabilize employment.

During the provision of supported employment services, assessing job stabilization and transition to extended services is the final phase of the vocational rehabilitation counselor’s involvement in the provision of supported employment services. Job stabilization, which occurs when the individual can and is reasonably expected to continue to perform all job duties acceptably, should be attained prior to transition to extended services. The timing and flexibility of the transition process is critical to ensure that the individual’s placement is not jeopardized once the job coach fades from the job site. Training and technical assistance will continue to be provided to counselors and other service providers on how to identify the appropriate time to fade job coaching services and when extended support services, including natural supports, should begin. DVR and the Office of Behavioral Health have developed written guidelines for mental health centers, which provide supported employment services to eligible individuals with serious mental illnesses, to clarify their role in the provision and funding of extended services.

With the passage of WIOA, extended services can now be provided by DVR for up to four years for youth with disabilities, and DVR’s policy and documentation requirements have been revised accordingly.