Leveraging State Resource To Help People With Disabilities Access Housing and Employment OPENING SLIDE Megan Grundbrecher, MS, CRC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Grundm@dshs.wa.gov

VR Process The Vocational Rehabilitation process is one that encompasses informed choice for the purposes of developing and implementing a customer-driven plan. DVR’s Purpose Transforming lives by empowering people with disabilities to achieve a greater quality of life by obtaining and maintaining employment. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) believes employment contributes to a person’s ability to live independently and everyone has a right to work. TO DUPLICATE, RIGHT CLICK ON SLIDE AND CHOOSE “DUPLICATE SLIDE”

Vocational Assessment/ IPE Development Application Anyone at anytime Individualized process Eligibility 60 days MAX Can extend w/agreement Vocational Assessment/ IPE Development Customer-driven IPE development 90 days MAX, can extend w/agreement IPE Implemented Financial contribution explored All IPEs provide SC&G Successful Employment Matches IPE goal Retention & follow-up Rehabilitated 90 days from Employed date MINIMUM All parties agree Post Employment Services Within 3 years Short term

Are they Eligible? Presumption of eligibility (SSI / SSDI) Documentation on disability Functional limitations Barriers to employment Presumption of benefit

Individualized Plan for Employment Development Vocational Assessment Does customer/resident know what work they want? Is it a good fit? Labor market analysis Career pathway, not just any “job”

Individualized Plan for Employment Vocational goal determined and is a good fit What supports or services are needed for the Resident to be successful in Achieving and maintaining goal

Services on (most) Every IPE Counseling and Guidance (DVR provided) Job Placement Retention or Intensive Training services (Long Term support needs)

Services Directly related to the achievement of the specific employment goal Comparable services and benefits must be explored and a financial statement must be completed before VRC can determine which services DVR will pay Physical / Mental Restoration / Rehab Tech/Training Prosthetics Hearing Aids Eye glasses Wheelchairs Modified vans And more

Job Placement Self-directed CRP assisted VRC/RT assisted WorkSource Job Hunter workshops Dependable Strengths workshop Job Coaching Job Retention DVR business specialist OJT DVR Customer Paid Internship (for pre-placement experience)

Job Placement CRP assisted: Criteria for CRP Job Placement referral More than looking at want ads together Actively contacting targeted employers Placement activities focus on IPE vocational goal Regular updates and reports Feedback on Resident’s participation level

Employed! Follow up / supports / accommodations Verification of wages / benefits Employer name & address Work hours, job title Transition to long term supports

Retention Services DVR supports Resident for first 90 days of employment CRP provided supports DVR follow-up and follow along Provides supports & additional services necessary or required for resident to be successful in employment

Intensive Training Services (ITS) Contracted service's with CRP’s for individuals who qualify for Long term supports through County or other funding DVR support ITS through CRP until Resident is “Stable” in their employment Continued follow-along from DVR for 90 days after Stabilization

Successful Closure Resident agreement that job is going well & no additional retention services are needed Minimum 90 days before closure IPE goal matches Discuss Post Employment Services (PES) availability

Recap Application Eligibility Vocational Assessment Plan – services begin Placement Retention Services Employed Successful Closure Post Employment Services (PES)