Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- q. Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services
Include the following:
- q. Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services
q. 2. The timing of transition to extended services
Current Narrative:
In day-to-day practice, a team approach is used to determine when an individual has stabilized and reached an acceptable level for transitioning to competitive, integrated employment.
Maine DBVI has developed guidance for staff on the use of extended services for youth. This guidance states that DBVI will make available extended services for youth with the most significant disabilities in supported employment for a period not to exceed four years or until such time that a youth reaches the age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a disability. Extended services are defined as ongoing support services and other appropriate services that are needed to support an individual with the most significant disability in supported employment. During the comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation needs, and participation in Pre-Employment Transition Services, it may be determined that a youth with a most significant disability will benefit from extended support services.
If the youth does not have access to extended support services through a comparable benefit, and other supports are not available or do not meet the client's needs, the VR counselor will work with the client and guardian such that there is agreement that the employment placement and extended services with or without assistive technology and accommodations will enable the youth to develop adequate natural supports such that other supports are not needed or will connect them with other sources of support.
DBVI will authorize one year of extended supports at a time. In limited individualized circumstances, the plan may be updated for an additional time period, up to one year at a time but under no circumstances for longer than four years or after the youth turns 25.