Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
e. 3. Supported employment services may be provided with Title 1 or Title VI funds following placement of individuals with the most significant disabilities in employment. In accordance with Section 101(a)(22) and Section 606(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act, describe the quality, scope, and extent of supported employment services to be provided to individuals with the most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities; and the timing of transition to extended services.
Current Narrative:
Quality, Scope, and Extent of Supported Employment Services
Supported employment services are unduplicated services needed to support and maintain eligible customers with the most significant disabilities to retain their competitive employment. Supported employment services consist of:
- Time-limited "ongoing” support services and other vocational rehabilitation services provided by DSHS/DVR.
- Extended services provided by the long-term service provider when the customer’s performance is stabilized on the job and the services DSHS/DVR provides have ended.
Time-limited support services are provided by DSHS/DVR under an IPE to assist customers eligible for supported employment to get a job and achieve stabilization on the job.
Supported employment services are provided according to DSHS/DVR’s policies and procedures and in accordance with cooperative agreements developed between DSHS/DVR and State, public, or private organizations that fund and/or provide extended services following the termination of DSHS/DVR time-limited services. Examples of extended services partners/ providers include, but are not limited to:
- County Developmental Disabilities
- Mental Health agencies
- Foundational Community Supports
- Social Security Work Incentives
- Trust Fund
- Natural supports such as family, co-workers, and employers
The Timing of Transition to Extended Services
DSHS/DVR customers receiving supported employment services transition from time-limited ongoing support services to extended services when stable, satisfactory job performance is achieved. The timeframe for this transition is within 24 months of customers beginning employment unless a longer timeframe has been specified in the IPE. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act amends the Rehabilitation Act to permit DSHS/DVR to fund extended services for youth with the most significant disabilities for a period not to exceed four years or until age 25, whichever happens first. DSHS/DVR will fund extended services for youth with the most significant disabilities on a case-by-case basis.