Narrative: n. 1.

DSB’s activities for supported employment services and programs funded under both Titles I and VI are intended to increase the number of persons receiving supported employment services and to improve employment outcomes for these individuals.  The Comprehensive Needs Assessment conducted for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 emphasized the need for participants to have access to job placement, development, and extended job supports such as coaching or on the job training. DSB believes that the most effective and efficient strategy to accomplish this is by expanding and strengthening its collaborative linkages with relevant state agencies and/or private not-for-profit agencies for the provision of supported employment and extended support services. No more than 2.5% of supported employment grant funds will be used for administrative activities, including but not limited to, data collection and analysis, training, and consultation costs. The remainder of grant funds under Title VI, Part B will be used to purchase supported employment services under Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) for individuals with the most significant disabilities who have been determined eligible for supported employment. DSB will expend 50% or more of these funds on Youth with Disabilities that need supported employment services. The State will provide a match of at least 10 %in non-Federal expenditures for the total amount of expenditures incurred with half of the allotment reserved to provide SE services to youth with the most significant disabilities, our focus being blindness or severe visual impairment. DSB’s electronic case management system provides the ability to ensure that Title VI funding is the primary source of payment for supported employment services until that funding is exhausted, at which point funding continues to be provided through Title I. DSB projects to provide supported employment services to 15 individuals during PY 2020. As explained above, when necessary both Title VI and Title I funds will be used for the provision of services. To successfully meet the supported employment needs of individuals with the most significant disabilities (blind or visually impaired), DSB continues to improve its relationships with the Division of Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Medical Services for the provision of extended services for supported employment clients. DSB counselors and vocational staff from the above agencies work together to identify individuals who would be appropriate referrals to DSB for supported employment services. DSB works with the Department of Education, Special Education to assure that youth with the most significant disabilities are accessing career, transition and employment services including supported employment services. DSB has worked to ensure best practices, so that the needs of youth with the most significant disabilities are met.

DSB counsels those in subminimum wage situations who are blind and visually impaired to provide information and access to vocational rehabilitation to achieve competitive integrated employment in the community. DSB works with the Department of Education, Special Education, along with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Medical Services to identify those that are blind and visually impaired age 24 or younger, so that the following occurs prior to the individual seeking work paying subminimum wage (less than Federal minimum wage):  1) During team consultations it is documented and ensured that the individual has received Pre-ETS or transition services under IDEA.  2) The individual was given an opportunity to apply for VR services. Placement in subminimum wage situations are considered only after the individual has been found ineligible for services, or has been determined eligible for VR services but has not been successful and has been provided career counseling, information and referral to other appropriate resources for services designed to assist the individual in attaining competitive integrated employment.

Update PY2022-2023 DSB is working with the VRTAC-QE to improve the Supported Employment program. This collaboration will improve existing policy, develop necessary forms and procedures for staff to ensure better Supported Employment Outcomes for DSB consumers. The Division of Services for the Blind is working with the Technical Assistance Center on Quality Employment to develop guidance and training for all Supported Employment Vendors to ensure they are trained and prepared to provide Supported Employment services to DSB consumer’s. These guidelines will include definitions of extended services and the responsibilities of the vendor and DSB. The consumer will transition to extended services prior to case closure and continue with vendor(s) identified in the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The providers of extended services may include a State agency, a private nonprofit, an employer, or other appropriate resource. DSB funds can be provided for extended services to youth when there is no other source available as long as the youth is under age 25. DSB can not provide more than 4 years of extended services to youth with disabilities. DSB Funds may not be used to provide extended services to individuals who do not meet the definition of a youth with a most significant disability.

In addition, DSB will only use Title VI funds to pay for supported employment services after the individual is placed on the job (e.g., after the individual's employment start date).  Prior to job placement (employment start date), DSB will pay for supported employment services using Title I funds for both youth with  most significant disabilities and adults with most significant disabilities.   Title VI funds will not be use for supported employment services prior to job placement for any VR participants.