Narrative: e. 3.

The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) vendor acknowledgment process includes an in-service training session for prospective new vendors and training updates as requested. During the training session, participants receive a Service Provider Guide and an introduction to the WVDRS process for providing supported employment (SE) services. WVDRS also loans SE training books and materials at no cost.

The quality of SE services is directly tied to the competency of the personnel performing job development and community-based training services. WVDRS encourages and supports the provision of a broad range of in-service training programs for personnel directly involved in SE service delivery.

WVDRS is committed to ensuring the availability of SE services throughout West Virginia as reflected in progress toward WVDRS Goal 5, which is to continue to build collaborative relationships with community providers including Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs), Independent Living, and other community providers to enhance the availability of services to WVDRS consumers. There are currently 64 WVDRS-acknowledged SE vendors from all districts across the state, a substantial increase from PY 2021. These vendors make SE services available to an increasing number of individuals with the most significant disabilities.  This trend is expected to continue with the increase in the number of providers, due in part to the increase in reimbursement rates for SE vendors.

In accordance with federal regulations, the SE services that may be provided to individuals and youth with disabilities placed in SE include:

1. Evaluation of rehabilitation potential for SE to supplement the comprehensive assessment conducted under the Title I program;
2. Job development;
3. Job placement;
4. Intensive on-the-job training provided by skilled job coaches/employment specialists;
5. Case management services;
6. Job monitoring, whether performed onsite or offsite, that includes regular contact with employees, employers, parents, guardians, and other professionals to reinforce and maintain the job placement;
7. Rehabilitation technology assessment and services as appropriate; and
8. Post-employment services (following transition to extended SE services) that are available from the extended service provider and that are needed to maintain the SE job placement.

The demand and need for SE services continues to be significant, particularly in rural areas, as well as for those individuals who are transitioning from school to the workforce. WVDRS continues its commitment to expanding the statewide capacity for SE services.

WVDRS will continue to provide SE services to its consumers and will acknowledge additional SE service providers where needed. The Division will continue to consider non-traditional approaches to SE service delivery and will increasingly emphasize the development of natural supports wherever possible. WVDRS anticipates that more individuals will receive services with the increased number of approved SE providers.

WVDRS authorized SE services to 272 individuals in Program Year 2022.

While SE services may be expected to vary in scope and duration from individual to individual, core services that may be provided to individuals and youth with disabilities placed in SE can include:

1. Assessment of the individual’s environmental circumstances;
2. Job analysis and job development;
3. Rehabilitation technology assessment;
4. Job placement following appropriate match of job/consumer characteristics identified during assessment, job analysis, and job development (services 1 and 2 above);
5. Intensive, one-on-one, on-the-job training;
6. Job stabilization, job coach fading as much as possible; and
7. Extended Supported Employment Services (ESES), optimally including natural supports.

THE TIMING OF TRANSITION TO EXTENDED SERVICES

WVDRS receives state funds earmarked to provide ESES for SE clients closed as successfully rehabilitated who, after an assessment of their progress and continuing needs for services, are found to require ongoing job coaching to maintain employment and are not eligible for services through other funding sources. The consumer’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) includes an estimate of the time needed for transition to extended services. Provision of ESES (job coaching) to all eligible SE clients, including youth with the most significant disabilities, in accordance with an approved IPE will not exceed four years, as required by federal regulations.

Consumers in SE placement are eligible to receive any services traditionally available through the WVDRS Title I program.