Narrative: q. 1.

(q) Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services

FDBS elected to defer SE funds to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation due to administrative burden. However, FDBS provides residential services to individuals with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support to meet their employment goals via a contract with one vendor (the Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired). FDBS issues authorizations – when necessary – to ensure continued services for all consumers via other providers throughout the state. These services are funded using basic 110 funds. SE services are for clients with the most significant disability who need support to maintain competitive integrated employment. SE services begin after job placement and may last up to 24 months (or longer if deemed necessary). The FDBS provides SE singly or in combination and assists eligible individuals in gaining/maintaining competitive integrated employment.

Quality
The FDBS has elected to defer SE funds to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation due to administrative burden. However, FDBS provides supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support to meet their employment goals via a contract with the Conklin Davis Center for the Blind and the Rehabilitation Center. FDBS issues authorizations to ensure continued SE services for all consumers via other providers throughout the state. SE services begin after job placement and may last up to 24 months (or longer if deemed necessary). Contractors provide SE singly or in combination with other services to assist eligible individuals in gaining and maintaining competitive integrated employment.

FDBS is committed to providing quality services to this population. Counselors support individuals in making employment choices consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and interests. Counselors help individuals pursue goals detailed in the IPE by using supported employment resources to the individual’s best advantage. As appropriate, consumers and families are actively involved in assessment, planning, and decision-making throughout the service delivery process. 

FDBS provides ongoing training for staff and updates policies and processes to ensure efficient services. The quality assurance team conducts quality assurance reviews consisting of onsite and remote desk reviews. The reviews focus on adherence to state policies, compliance with federal regulations, sufficient case documentation, IPE development timelines, plan amendments and required signatures, eligibility determination, activities tied to the IPE, approval of authorizations, etc.

Scope
The scope of supported employment services varies based on the amount, intensity and type of support each person needs to maintain, retain or obtain employment. Under supported employment services, FDBS provides the most intensive services required to help individuals with the most significant disabilities obtain competitive integrated employment based on the individual’s choice. Assistance to this population is comprised of an intensive array of services – conducted in person – for blind and visually impaired individuals who require complex services, including youth with the most significant disabilities. FDBS provides these services for a period not to exceed 24 months but can be extended under special circumstances with the consent of the individual to achieve objectives of the rehabilitation plan. Counselors work with the consumers to design services based on their needs and desires. These services may include:

• Individual Assessment;
• Job Coaching and Development;
• Assistive Technology, including repair and maintenance;
• Intensive on-the-job training;
• Employability and Social Skills Training;
• Transportation Assistance;
• Money Management;
• Follow-up services with employers and trainees; and
• Formal and informal work site related expectations (e.g., time and attendance, dress, communication).

Extent
FDBS provides services based on available resources. Community service providers are responsible for funding ongoing support services. The comprehensive statewide needs assessment and analysis of performance data/data provided by agency partners (APD, CareerSource Florida, DCF, and DVR) determine the amount of services necessary to ensure FDBS meets consumer/state needs.