Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
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:
Supported Employment is for individuals with the most significant disabilities who have been determined eligible for VR services. Supported Employment should be considered when the comprehensive assessment of the rehabilitation needs of the individual demonstrate the need for extended services in order to maintain the individual’s employment goal consistent with his/her unique strengths, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Supported employment services are based on a determination of the needs of an eligible individual as specified in the individualized plan for employment (IPE) and are provided by the VR agency for a period of not more than 24 months following job placement, unless under special circumstances the eligible individual and the rehabilitation counselor jointly agree to extend the time to achieve the employment outcome identified in the IPE.
Prior to job placement in supported employment, individuals with the most significant disabilities receive VR services identified in the IPE, and which the VR counselor and the individual have determined will lead to achievement of the supported employment outcome. Supported employment services, also identified on the IPE, begin at the time of the individual’s job placement. Ongoing services are furnished by DSB, using funds under the Supported Employment program and/or the VR program, from the time of job placement until the transition to extended services. Extended services means ongoing support services and necessary services that are: a) needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability including a youth with a most significant disability, in supported employment b) organized or made available, singly or in combination, in such a way as to assist an eligible individual in maintaining supported employment c) based on the needs of an eligible individual, as specified in an individualized plan for employment d) provided by a State agency, a private nonprofit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource, after an individual has made the transition from support from the designated State unit
Extended services to transition youth can be provided for a period of time not to exceed 48 months or until such time that a youth reaches the age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a youth with a most significant disability, whichever occurs first. DSB funds can be provided for extended services to youth when there is no other source available. 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.