Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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:
__________
[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
f. Arrangements and Cooperative Agreements for the Provision of Supported Employment Services
Describe the designated State agency’s efforts to identify and make arrangements, including entering into cooperative agreements, with other State agencies and other appropriate entities in order to provide supported employment services and extended employment services, as applicable, to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities.
Current Narrative:
DVR works closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to support partnerships that benefit individuals in need of supported employment services. One way this is accomplished is by leveraging resources - such as career planning - through the Department of Health and Human Services that help to prepare individuals for supported employment and assist them with accessing long term supports following VR services.
Career planning is a person-centered, comprehensive employment planning and direct support service. It is a focused, time-limited service that helps a person identify a career direction and develop a plan with the goal of achieving competitive, integrated employment at or above the State’s minimum wage. The service provides assistance to obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment. The service is provided up to 60 hours, is not to exceed a six-month period, and must occur in the community in businesses, Career Centers or other community locations.
Career Planning Goals:
- Identify skills, priorities, and capabilities determined through an individualized discovery process
- Provides opportunity to explore self-employment and determine potential steps necessary to develop a business
- Discover a career direction and creation of a career plan to be used in a person’s individual plan for employment with VR.
- If applicable, a referral to benefits planning
- If applicable, a referral for an assessment for use of assistive technology to increase independence in the workplace
- Provides information which should be included as part of the application to Vocational Rehabilitation for services
Who can access the Career Planning Service?
The Service is designed for people with disabilities who have had limited experiences with competitive, integrated paid employment and who are unclear about their career direction, skills, interests and abilities. A person may request Career Planning through their individualized planning process; either at OADS or at Vocational Rehabilitation. Career Planning is NOT required for accessing Vocational Rehabilitation Services but may be used as part of the discovery process for a career direction.
Waiver Funded Career Planning
Waiver members can request and be authorized to receive Career Planning funded through Section 18, 20, 21 or 29 of MaineCare as part of their Person-Centered Planning (PCP) Plan of Care (POC) process. The service must be provided by an authorized Provider of waiver services who have staff who are certified to provide Career Planning.
The Service will be authorized up to 60 hours and is not to exceed a six-month period. The Career Planner will schedule at least weekly meetings. These meetings help the planner learn about the person, and their community, as well as explore businesses by completing tours and other activities which will lead to the creation of a Career Plan.
Process and documentation will be through two options (chosen by the person); Discovering Personal Genius™ or Maine Career Planning. The Career Plan will be submitted to OADS QA staff for monitoring, feedback and recommendations three times during the process.
At two weeks the Career Planner will:
- Assist the individual with an application to VR Services including documentation of disability, releases, copy of the PCP/POC, and filling out the health checklist
- Assist with an application for Benefit Counseling Services, including a release
- Assist with a referral for Assistive Technology assessment (if required)
Connecting Career Planning to Vocational Rehabilitation Services
People receiving Career Planning Services through OADS waiver funding are also either recipients of SSI or SSDI benefits. Since disability determination has already occurred by SSA or MaineCare, OADS consumers are presumed eligible for VR or DBVI once the application process has been completed. Case Managers and/or Care Coordinators can provide additional information during the application process to assist DVR/DBVI n this process. The goal is to create a smooth transition from Career Planning to the development of a VR Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE goal could include counseling and guidance which will occur during the Career Planning process. If funded by OADS, the Career Planning Process can also be considered a comparable benefit as a service on VR’s IPE. The Career Planner, with the person, will share the Career Plan and be available to review, discuss and share discovery information to inform the development of the CARNS and the IPE.
Career Planning is a discovery-based service designed to explore businesses, careers and skills. A waiver member who receives Career Planning has chosen to seek employment and coordination of services between the OADS and BRS must occur in order to support the person on a path to employment.
The Career Plan will be shared with VR counselors, with a release as part of the application for services and again when it is final by either the Career Planner or the Case Manager/Care Coordinator.
The Career Plan shall be maintained in the person’s file and a copy given to the person and team members. If a person requires Career Planning again in the future all prior information will be used and reviewed as part of the development of an updated Career Plan and may not require the full 60 hrs. authorization.
Referral for Long Term Support -
DVR maintains a protocol with DHHS to allow for clients to achieve timely access to long-term supports following stability on the job. This process assists individuals who have an identified need for ongoing job coaching. Steps include DHHS' case manager/care coordinator working with the individual to discuss waiver work support providers and the process for selection of a provider. Following a vendor call, the approved transfer form will be completed identifying key information on the business site, wages, schedule, level of support, technology and natural support plan and selected work support provider. The VR counselor works closely with the individual and case manager to ensure a smooth transition.