MARIANNE MOORE (VDOE)HEATHER NORTON (DBHDS)

JESSICA STEHLE (DARS)RACHAEL ROUNDS (VCU)

2015 Parent Summit

Employment Services

Employment First

Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities, regardless of level of disability.

Identifying integrated, community-based employment as the FIRST choice offered among available rehabilitation or habilitation options and expands employment of individuals

First choice, not only choiceBut…if a person wants to work, might want

to work, or does not know if they want to work…the team works with the individual and their team to help them to figure this out

Employment First

The Employment First Team

The IndividualFamilyDepartment of Education (DOE)Service providersCase Manager/Support CoordinatorDepartment for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

(DARS) CounselorEmployment Service OrganizationDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental

Services (DBHDS)Department of Social Services (DSS)Natural Supports

Navigating the Systems- sequenced services

Virginia Department of Education

Department’s Vision and Mission - to create an excellent statewide system of public education that derives strength from our diversity and that ensures equality of opportunity for each student in a safe and healthy learning environment that prepares all students to be capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens in the global society

- to develop policies and provide leadership that improve student achievement and prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace

Serve 1.2 million children

132 school divisions

VDOE and Special Education

Special Education: Mission- to provide students with disabilities the

knowledge and skills they need to live, learn, work and participate in the communities they choose with the maximum amount of independence possible

Over 161,000 students with disabilities

54,000 are 14 – 22 years of age

Special Education

Eligibility: 2 through 21 years of age Determined by a Team: Teachers, Administrators, Parents,

those who provide assessment information, others If eligible Free Appropriate Public Education

(FAPE) Review eligibility every three years Parent may disagree and refuse to sign

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Determined by IEP Team: Teachers, Administrators, Parents,

Related Service Providers, others - require consent from parent Requires parent signature to implement Least Restrictive Environment – applies to Transition

Dispute Process Mediation, Complaint

Transition Planning

Middle School: SHIFT for all students Academic and Career Plans: ALL STUDENTS (started with

2013-14 SY) Beginning during the first IEP in which the youth turn 14

years of age, earlier if appropriate The IEP focus – TRANSITION

Postsecondary Goals Education, Training, Employment, and Independent Living, when appropriate Based on age appropriate transition assessments – an

ongoing process (formal and informal) Measureable and take place after high school

Coordination

Annual Goals – academic and functional

Transition Services –

includes courses of study = diploma type

set of activities -focused on improving the academic and

functional achievement

facilitate movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational

education, integrated employment (including supported employment); continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;

Move youth closer to their postsecondary goals!

Coordination

Is based on the individual child's needs, taking into account the child's strengths, preferences, and interests; and

Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

Activity Referrals to adult service provider: DARS, DBHDS (CSB),

Social Security, Social Services, Workforce, College - DSS, and others

Requires Consent

Age of Majority

IEP in which youth turns 17; inform and explain to parents and youth about the transfer of rights to youth

At 18 the student may makes educational decisions and sign the IEP unless the parent takes steps

Process explained http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/regulations/state/

transfer_rights_students_disabilities.pdfWeb address

Diploma and Graduation

Diploma Advanced Studies Diploma Standard Diploma Modified Standard Diploma

Folded into the Standard Diploma Special Diploma

Applied Studies Diploma Certificates

New Pathways to the Standard Diploma – Credit Accommodations

May return to school until earn a standard or advanced studies diploma OR until the youth exceeds the age of eligibility for FAPE!

Data

Collect and Analyze DataGraduationDropoutIEP CompliancePost School Outcomes – 1 Year after Exit

Employment Postsecondary Education Postsecondary Training Courses taken while in school Agency Referral Barriers

CONTACTShttp://www.va-doeapp.com/StaffByDivisions.aspx?w=true

Secondary Transition - Marianne.moore@doe.virginia.gov 804-225-2700Parent Ombudsman – Gloria.dalton@doe.virginia.gov804-371-7420Complaints and Family Support Coordinator Hank.millward@doe.virginia.gov804-371-0525Mediation – Art.Stewart@doe.virginia.gov 804-786-0711

Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Offers vocational rehabilitation (VR) to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment

Virginia’s federally mandated Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program

Assists individuals with disabilities to prepare for, enter, and maintain employment

Eligibility based program

Focus is on EMPLOYMENT

Participation is VOLUNTARY

DARS

Who We Serve

Served 29,509 clients in Federal Fiscal Year 2014 54% were students in transition (aged 14-21)

Examples of disability groups we serve Intellectual Developmental Learning Mental Health ADHD Physical Deaf/Hard of Hearing Blind/vision impairment

VR Outcomes

Federal Fiscal Year 2014

4,087 consumers became successfully employed

97% were in competitive employment

Average hourly earnings was $9.66

DARS Transition Counselors

Located in DARS offices across the Commonwealth

Every high school assigned a transition counselorTransition counselor works collaboratively with:

Student and their family Special Education Staff Guidance Counselors Case Managers Physicians Therapists Others

We Know…

Transition age youth demonstrate better employment outcomes when they receive services early

Transition age youth get and keep quality jobs at a higher rate than those who apply for vocational rehabilitation services after they have joined the labor market or begin receiving public assistance

Steps for Involvement with DARS

Referral

Intake

Eligibility

Order of Selection*

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Services

Closure

* When a state does not have sufficient funds to meet the needs of all individuals seeking services, a plan must be initiated to serve those clients with the most need first.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible to work in the U.S.

Documented disability

Barrier to employment

Be able to benefit from services

Require services to prepare for, enter and engage in, or retain employment

The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Parallel to the student’s IEP

Developed after DARS eligibility is established

Created collaboratively with student, family, service providers, and DARS Counselor

Focuses on the goal of employment

Outlines steps needed to reach employment goal

Plans for necessary services and funding

Financial Participation

Eligible students must complete financial need process

Some services can be provided without regard to financial need

Some services involve financial participation on the part of the student and family

Service Progression for Transition Youth

Placement and training

Stabilization

Long term follow along

What if there are difficulties after case closure?

Social Security Benefits and Employment

The Myths The Facts

If I go to work, I’ll lose my cash benefit

There are employment supports in place to ensure you don’t lose cash benefits prematurely

If I go to work, I’ll lose my Medicaid or Medicare

There are Medicaid Works and Medicare programs designated specifically for people with disabilities to work

If I go to work and have to stop because of my disability, I won’t be able to get back on benefits

If you have to stop working because of your disability, you can reinstate your benefits without a new application

Contact Us

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

www.vadars.org800-552-5019 (voice)800-464-9950 (TTY)

Jessica.Stehle@dars.virginia.gov 571-210-2183

The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)

Provides services to Virginians who are blind, deafblind, or vision impaired

Assists consumers with attaining the skills and confidence critical to independence

Contact DBVI: 1-800-622-2155 Toll Free within Virginia 804-371-3140 www.vdbvi.org

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Vision Statement: A life of possibilities for all Virginians

Mission Statement: Supporting individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life

Who We Serve

People

All ages

Intellectual Disabilities

Developmental Disabilities

Behavioral Health

Mental Health

Substance Use

Forensic

Division of Developmental Services

Waiver Operations

Provider Development

Community Integration

Health Support Services

Administrative Operations

Community Support Services

DBHDS

Community Engagement

Individualized

Meaningful

Relationships

Community Engagement

Social Networks

Family Networks

Faith Networks

Education Networks

Career Planning

Opportunity

Learning Employment

Career Planning

Employment

Development

FollowAlong

Career Plannin

g

Training

New Job

Funding

Medicaid Waiver 11,205 currently on the Waivers 9,903 currently waiting

Employment Numbers 200 Individual Supported Employment 663 Group Supported Employment 830 Prevocational Services

Navigating Waiver and DARS

DARS services explored and exhausted first

Medicaid payer of last resort

Medicaid Reimbursed Services

Employment Services

Prevocational Services

Day Services

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

WWW.DBHDS.VIRGINIA.GOV

HEATHER NORTONDIRECTOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES

HEATHER.NORTON@DBHDS.VIRGINIA.GOV804-786-5850

Contact Us

Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training CenterBusiness Connections

Mission statement: •Business connection at VCUHS is committed to providing person centered and customer directed supported employment services to assist individuals with all types of disabilities in seeking and obtaining community based competitive employment with a focus on job retention

Virginia Commonwealth University – Rehabilitation Research and Training CenterBusiness Connections

Vision statement: To provide a valuable demonstration of how community based competitive employment can become a reality for all individuals who desire to work.

Who We Are

Business Connections, a division of VCU’s School of Education, is a Richmond based program dedicated to the hiring, advancement, and economic self-sufficiency of people with disabilities. For 30 years, we have specialized in recruitment and retention strategies that are customized to meet business workforce needs. Employers can benefit from partnering with us to expand their pool of qualified applicants, enhance productivity, and reduce the costly problems associated with turnover.

Who We Serve

Individuals served must be consumers of Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) services. If individuals are not currently working with DARS or DBVI we will assist in developing a collaborative relationship.

Services we offer

Project SEARCH for transition age students

Discovery

Situational Assessment

Job Development

Job Site Training

Follow Along

Post Employment Services

Project SEARCH

Originally conceived to solve hospital staffing challenges and to increase employment opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities.

Business model that provides one point of entry for youth with disabilities.

Streamlines resources for schools and community organizations

Project SEARCH

The cornerstone of Project SEARCH is total immersion in the employer agency.

Typical day involves onsite classroom instruction in employability and independent living skills worksite rotation lunch with co-workers feedback from the instructor.

For more information, contact Jennifer McDonough, Virginia Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator jltodd@vcu.edu

Discovery

Discovery is fluid and can include: Mindfully listening to the consumer throughout

the discovery process

Observing consumers in community assessments

Observing consumers in situational assessments

Observing consumers in home assessments

Informational interviews

Situational Assessments

Situational assessments offer a consumer the opportunity to perform job tasks in real work environments under real work conditions. Participation in a variety of situational assessment situations across work settings may provide insight for the consumer into her or his employment preferences. A variety of job types should be explored, and the consumer’s reaction to each recorded to compare which may be her or his most preferred job type.

Job Development

Job development is a person centered process in which the Employment Specialist identifies the consumer’s skills, abilities, likes, dislikes, etc. and assists the consumer with locating a position that fits their unique needs.

Job Site Training

An Employment Specialist will ensure that support services cater to the personalized needs of the business. Customized services are provided to ensure the employee is meeting the company expectations and production standards. Also, job training is provided if needed. A coach can help identify effective accommodations, including individualized job skills training.

Follow Along

Once a consumer has reached stability, the Employment Specialist will make at least two contacts a month to ensure both the consumer and the employer continue to report satisfaction.

Post Employment Services

If an issue arises on the job site, new tasks are introduced, or there are significant changes at the job site, the Employment Specialist can provide additional training to ensure the consumer continues to maintain stability.

How Do You Choose an Employment Services Organization?

Interview ESOs in your area

Research ESOs’ performance and outcome

data

DARS often makes recommendations

You can choose who you want to work with