EMPLOYMENT AND RETENTION

Employment and Retention (E & R) contracts are intended for persons with severe disabilities who require short term job coach support in preparing for, finding, obtaining and/or maintaining employment. Of the milestones offered, the DRS counselor will decide which of the milestones he or she will authorize to assure a particular individual will have his/her needs met to become successfully employed.

Consumers will be placed into jobs of 40 hours per week (full time) unless fewer hours are indicated by client need/preference, approved by the DRS counselor, and indicated in the IPE. Clients involved must be paid at least minimum wage. All jobs must be integrated competitive employment in the community.

MILESTONE PERCENTAGES

Milestone

% of Total Cost

Assessment/Plan development

10%

Employment preparation

10%

Community placement

30%

30 day job retention

10%

Competitive employment closure

40%

MILESTONE DESCRIPTIONS

NAME OF MILESTONE: Assessment/Plan Development

Outcome: The outcome expected of this phase is a clear determination of the individual's abilities and functional limitations as they relate to competitive employment, identification of a specific vocational goal, and a written plan for achieving stability as a worker.

Service Description:

There are two options available, depending upon the needs of the consumer.

A. Community Based Assessments:

For individuals who have had unsuccessful, limited or no exposure to work, situational assessments in the community may be provided as appropriate. Before assessments are initiated, the provider, counselor and consumer will agree on the number and types of job sites that will be involved in the assessment.

Any unpaid assessment must meet DOL guidelines and may not exceed a maximum of 90 hours duration at any one job site. It must be clear that 90 hours is not a standard number of hours for assessment. Each person's needs must be addressed individually in determining the length of assessment and the number of assessments to be performed.

The purpose of the assessment will be to identify any preparatory training the consumer may need and to assist the consumer to determine the type of work in which s/he is interested, possible job prospects, and the amount and types of support the individual will need to obtain and keep the job.

Required Documentation:

(a) A detailed written assessment report is submitted by provider which is accepted by the DRS counselor and the consumer, providing sufficient information to identify an employment goal and to allow the DRS counselor to complete the IPE.

(b) Computerized Progress Report

B. CRP Based Assessments

If this option is selected, formal assessments will be completed with the individual in the workshop setting (or other non-community employment setting). The assessments may include standardized tests (e.g. interest, aptitude, etc.) as well as work skills assessments. The need for the assessment, the type and total hours of assessment for an individual consumer must be discussed with and agreed upon by his/her DRS counselor. The results of the assessment must assist in development of a written plan addressing training and supports needed to assist the individual to become employed and a description of how these needs will be met.

The phase is expected to be completed within 30 days of entry into the program. However, if the individual served is a high school student attending the program on a part time basis, the length of time to complete the assessment maybe negotiated with the participating DRS counselor; however, only students who are in the final semester of high school may participate in the program.

Required Documentation:

(b) Computerized Progress Report.

NAME OF MILESTONE: Employment Preparation

Outcome: A consumer who is prepared for the demands and stresses of competitive work though provision of work adjustment training and/or work experience. A vocational goal has been identified which is acceptable to the consumer and the DRS counselor.

Service Description: The phase may consist of either or both of the following services:

A. Work Adjustment Training provided in a Community Rehabilitation Program must meet the following criteria:

(1) the training is provided according to needs identified in the assessment and as outlined in a work adjustment plan; goals must be specific and individualized.

(2) it is delivered either individually or in groups of 10 people or less;

(3) it is delivered by a qualified staff person.

(4) length and content of in-house training is defined, but in most cases will be no longer than 90 days.

B. Work Experience will consist of short term job tryouts which take place at a regular place of business outside the provider’s agency. The model for work experience will be defined by the provider (eg 120 hours of work at each of 3 work sites). It may be provided as defined in the individual’s training plan related to needs identified in the assessment. Work experience will be provided in community sites as negotiated by the provider and employers. All work experience sites will meet DOL regulations in regard to payment of wages.

Required Documentation:

(a) written reports from the provider indicating the training identified in the work adjustment plan has been completed and the consumer has achieved the planned training objectives;

(b) Computerized Progress Report

NAME OF MILESTONE: Community Placement

Outcome: a job placement which matches the vocational goal contained in the IPE.

Service Description: The placement phase includes resume development, interviewing training for the consumer, job development, and job analysis and job accommodation negotiation, if needed. Each of these activities must be done collaboratively with the consumer. Job Placement will be determined to be completed when the consumer has started his/her 3rd day of work.

Required Documentation:

(a) Employment verification

(b) Consumer satisfaction statement

NAME OF MILESTONE: 30 Day Job Retention

Outcome: A worker who has held his/her job for 30 days and is stabilized.

Service Description:

The purpose of the job retention phase is to provide on and off job site supports as needed by the individual which assist the worker in adjusting to the demands of the integrated work environment. Not all individuals will require this level of support to achieve job stability and payment for this milestone will not occur unless defined supports have been provided.

Stabilization has occurred when the following are verified:

1) the individual has been employed for at least 30 days;

2) a written employer evaluation has been submitted which indicates acceptable job performance during the 30 day period; and

3) a current consumer job satisfaction questionnaire has been submitted which does not indicate any major problems

Required Documentation

(a) Employment verification;

(b) Consumer Job Satisfaction Questionnaire;

NAME OF MILESTONE: Competitive Employment Closure

Outcome: a worker who can be considered rehabilitated by DRS.

Service Description: Closure will be determined to have been made and payment is made when the case is ready for closure and the provider has submitted required documentation. The worker must have worked a minimum of 90 days and has received adequate training and support after placement, as identified in the IPE.

Required Documentation:

(a) Employment verification;

(b) Consumer Job Satisfaction Statement

EMPLOYMENT AND RETENTION MILESTONES

MILESTONES	OUTCOME	SERVICES	PROVIDER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Assessment/Plan Development	A clear determination of the individual’s abilities and functional limitations as they relate to competitive employment, identification of a specific vocational goal, and a written plan for achieving stability as a worker.	Option A. Community Based Assessments: Situational assessments in the community with number and types of job sites to be agreed upon by the counselor and consumer. Assessments must meet DOL guidelines and may be a maximum of 90 hours at any one job site. Must identify preparatory training, type of work possible job prospects and amount and types of support needed to obtain and keep the job. Option B. Workshop based or other non-community based setting. May include standardized tests and work skills assessments. Need for type and total hours must be discussed and approved by counselor.	Within 30 days of entry into the program: •A detailed written assessment report accepted by counselor and consumer, providing sufficient information to identify an employment goal allowing the counselor to complete the IPE. •Computerized progress report. •Work adjustment plan addressing training needs leading towards successful employment.
Employment Preparation	A consumer prepared for the demands and stresses of competitive work.	May consist of either or both following services: A.Work adjustment training meeting the following criteria: 1) training is provided as identified in the assessment and adjustment plan 2) delivered individually or no greater than groups of 10 3) delivered by qualified staff person 4) length and content to be defined and no longer than 90 days. B.Work experience consist of short term job tryouts in a regular place of business. The work experience to be defined by provider based on needs identified in the assessment.	• Written report indicating training identified in work adjustment plan has been completed and training objectives have been achieved. • Counselor has accepted the written report on outcome of job exploration with recommendations for placement in the community.
Community Placement	A job placement which matches the vocational goal contained in the IPE.	The placement phase includes: •resume development •interviewing training •job development •job analysis •job accommodation negotiation. Job placement will be determined completed when the consumer starts the 3^rd work day.	• Employment verification • Consumer job satisfaction questionnaire • Computerized progress report
30 Day Job Retention	W worker who has held his/her job for 30 days and is stabilized.	Provision of on and off job site supports as needed by the consumer which assists in adjusting to the demands of the integrated work environment. Not all consumers will need this level of support. Payment will be made when defined supports have been provided. Stabilization has occurred when: 1) the consumer has been employed 30 days 2) a written employer evaluation has been submitted indicating acceptable job performance. 3) a current consumer job satisfaction questionnaire does not indicate any major problems.	• Employment verification • Consumer satisfaction statement • Computerized progress report
Competitive Employment Closure	A worker who can be considered rehabilitated by DRS.	The worker must have worked a minimum of 90 days and has received adequate training and support after placement, as identified in the IPE.	•Employment verification • Consumer job satisfaction statement • Computerized progress report

NAME OF MILESTONE: Employment Preparation

MILESTONES

OUTCOME

SERVICES