Supported Employment

About

Supported Employment is competitive integrated employment in an integrated work setting in which an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, is working consistent with their unique strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice, with ongoing support services.

Consumer Engagement and Relationships

It is important for the consumer, the provider staff, and DVR to establish a productive working relationship to make forward progress. Included in DVR reporting, please identify and update, as needed, an expected contact standard. The provider and consumer should discuss and agree to how often, the length of meetings, type of meeting (in person, remote meeting) and where they will meet to promote progress. The consumer and providers should also agree to how to communicate changes to scheduled meetings. If a consumer is disengaged for more than a month, or there are critical issues impacting progress during authorized services, please reach out to notify DVR directly via phone or email. Please also share the Roles and Responsibilities document with consumers, which may be helpful in describing expectations.

Providers should monitor progress and adhere to the timeframes for delivery of individual services identified in the table below.

DVR expects that upon an authorization for services, the provider will make initial contact with the consumer within 48 hours of authorization. A DVR Authorization for Services is required before any services can begin.

Note: Supported Employment Plan Documentation Requirements
DVR and Long-Term Care providers create service plans for consumers/participants/members, coordination between representatives from those entities is important. Specifically, funders and providers should identify the type of supports needed and when those services should be identified and implemented in their corresponding consumer service plans. The communication should be documented and include an agreement for planned services, employment, payment, timing, and outcomes for the consumer. A review of the coordinated plans should take place at the following three points in the process:

1. DVR Post Career Profile meeting/assessment
2. DVR 60-day on-the-job meeting
3. Before transition to long-term support

DVR is responsible for gathering of documentation of agreement from members of the supported employment team but can ask the DVR service provider to assist during delivery of the service.

Service Details

Supported Employment Career Profile

A supported employment assessment should be completed for each consumer considering supported employment services via a Career Profile referral. DVR will provide a detailed referral to the service provider via email, phone, or message. If an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) has been developed, with consumer permission the referral should include:

• Consumer's IPE goal
• Consumer's preferred number of work hours per week
• Summary of consumer work experiences to date
• Copy of consumer's benefits analysis
• Names and contact information for potential members of the consumer's supported employment team
• Potential dates for a review meeting in 45 to 90 days; and
• Any other relevant information for conducting the career profile

The goal of this assessment is to determine the best job match for the consumer and the consumer's support needs based on their past performance and experience, along with information provided by individuals who know the consumer well. The service provider may identify documentation during the interviews that can be used to provide additional information for the Career Profile. Recommendations can be made by the service provider regarding the consumer's readiness for regular job development, supported employment, or customized employment services. The Career Profile should provide a detailed picture of the consumer to guide the DVR process.

To complete the Career Profile, the service provider will have several meetings (three or more) with the consumer and identified members of the consumer's supported employment team. These meetings will take place in an integrated community setting of the consumer's choice to allow for observation of the consumer's interactions with others and to identify strengths and barriers. The consumer should be asked to identify other individuals to interview who have knowledge of the consumer, their past experiences, support strategies, and other resources needed to assist in long-term employment.

The Career Profile includes a space for signatures – gathering signatures is preferred, but not required. Updates made to the Career Profile do not require signatures.

Supported employment services are provided as a working team with the DVR consumer at the center. The makeup of the team is individualized based on the needs and expressed wishes of the consumer. The team typically includes the consumer, the DVR Counselor, a supported employment service provider, a guardian (if applicable), family members, representatives of the entities providing funding and service coordination following DVR case closure, and any other individuals identified who support the consumer's employment goals.

Members of the supported employment team should be identified and involved in the completion of the Career Profile. A meeting to review the Career Profile is required either in person or remotely virtually or phone. Using the potential dates provided by DVR in the referral, the provider will meet with the supported employment team to review the contents and recommendations of the report.

SE Career Profile Report (DVR-18033-E)

Supported Employment Job Development Plan

This service involves completing the job development plan and job preparation activities, including a written plan to provide supported employment job development services. All elements of this plan will be discussed with the consumer and DVR and will include the responsibilities of each party and a 90-day review after the completion of the initial plan. The service provider must identify a contact standard between the consumer and service provider and between potential employers and the service provider. An acceptable Job Preparation and Development Plan will have the following items attached (if DVR deems this necessary and appropriate). Sample job application, Resume, List of references, and Cover letter.

The Job Development Plan report contains a job supports plan section related to discussion and planning for potential job supports that may be needed by the consumer. The purpose of this section is to help the consumer and the provider to begin thinking about how to address any concerns or barriers to working, given the employment goal. The job supports will be revisited at any time and should be revised once the consumer has been offered a job.

As part of Job Development, the service provider will provide employment preparation services (interview preparation, resume development, visual resumes, etc.) as identified in the planning process when Job Center services do not adequately address the consumer's needs.

Job Development Plan (DVR-17036-E)

Supported Employment Job Development and Hire

DVR provides information and support to consumers to help maximize the number of hours they can work. It is an expectation that consumers work a minimum of 15 hours per week or are working toward a goal of 15 hours per week. A position obtained by the provider must be consistent with the consumer's employment goal listed in their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). During initial meetings, the employment team, including the consumer, should discuss the number of hours the consumer would like to work and include it in the plan report. This estimate of hours should be based on the consumer's stated preference and ability to work. If there is a difference in the hours secured, the employment team must agree on these changes before the consumer begins employment.

If the team thinks the consumer would benefit from other services, assessments, or experiences while seeking permanent employment, other service options will be explored while supported employment (SE) efforts continue. Use of these options should be purposeful and time-limited and may also include Work Incentive Benefits Analysis services to identify available work incentives.

Supported Employment job development relies on relationship building with employers and working with them to create opportunities for SE consumers in the workplace. This may involve an application and interview process to ensure that the consumer is a good fit for the position being considered. The service provider will use systematic job development strategies by visiting employers, selected based on consumer preferences, to learn about business needs and hiring preferences. The approach to job development will allow for a good job match and reduce the need for workplace support while maximizing consumer independence. All employer contacts and progress made by the consumer and job developer should be included in monthly report documentation provided to DVR. Service providers should work cooperatively with DVR Business Services Consultants to maximize potential job leads and relationships with local businesses.

Upon an offer of employment, DVR should be notified as soon as possible (within 5 days) to review the job to ensure that the potential position meets the job goal and to authorize Job Retention services, Job/Task Analysis and Monthly Systematic Instruction or supports via Partners with Business. All consumers receiving any job development service (which includes supported employment services) shall be provided with job supports appropriate for the consumer for at least the first 90 days on the job. The three options for Job Support Services are provided to ensure retention of the job and to ensure that they are not authorized together at the same time, only one type of job support service can be provided during the same timeframe. It is possible to switch between the services depending on the needs and circumstances of the consumer and the job. DVR must be consulted if changes in the type of support is identified and agree to authorize alternate support services. It is expected that most consumers of supported employment services will require Monthly Systematic Instruction services. Use of Job Retention Services or Partners with Business does require justification in the DVR case file and DVR authorization.

Job Hire Report (DVR-17037-E)

Job Retention Services (When Monthly Systematic Instruction is not needed)

If a consumer does not need on site systematic instruction to learn job tasks, or to be redirected back to attend to job tasks, authorization of Job Retention services can be used to foster positive workplace relationships with coworkers and supervision, potentially leading to the development of independent and natural supports in the workplace as available and appropriate. The provider should work with the consumer to help with situational problem solving and communication. The provider should ensure the consumer knows how to seek and get information at the worksite. The provider should have regular check-ins with the consumer and the employer as detailed in the Job Hire Report and Job Retention Report, respectively, so that job retention, stability and progress can be monitored in the first months of a job.

The provider must:

• Communicate in two-way discussions directly not less than two times per month with the consumer via phone, email correspondence, or meeting in-person/virtual. Providers should identify whether texting is used in lieu of a direct contact, or if there is a gap in the communication during the month and why regular contact was not completed. (Vacation, client request etc.) Topics that should be discussed include:
  • Attendance, wage, and scheduling
  • Training and progress
  • Problems at work and related problem-solving strategies
  • Any other issues identified
• Provide other supports as is detailed in the job supports plan section of the Job Hire report updated at the time of hire
• Contact the employer (with permission and input from the consumer including a contact standard) and plan to visit the workplace and include discussion on the following:
  • Role of provider and DVR
  • Share ideas to promote independence and encourage quality job performance including consumer specific information – helpful support, communication, and learning style.
  • Identify what steps to take if issues arise with consumer progress.
  • Contact for provider and backup plan if provider cannot be reached.

Job Retention Report (DVR-17038-E)

Monthly Systematic Instruction (Includes Job Retention)

All DVR consumers should be provided regular check-ins to maintain the job in the first months of employment. In addition to the responsibilities identified in Job Support Services, Monthly Systematic Instruction includes planning and implementing individualized instruction for a job. The steps include using the Job and Task Analysis to identify the work routine and identifying instructional strategies and how the consumer will be supported and taught to complete their job tasks independently. Progress is monitored and strategies are modified using a step-by-step, or systematic, approach including positive and constructive communication with the consumer.

Job and Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction Technical Specifications

Job and Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction Report (DVR-18212-E)

Partners with Business
Partners with Business (PwB) is a strategy for providing on the job support using a consumer's co-workers instead of a provider employee. The employer is reimbursed for the time a co-worker spends assisting a consumer. This service is especially effective for consumers transitioning to long term supports.

Partners with Business Service Specifications

NOTES:
Offsite Supports
In certain pre-approved circumstances, offsite supports may need to be provided. These types of support requirements must be detailed in the job support plan, including parameters for contact, and must be based on the consumer's disability needs or unique work environment. For example, a consumer's employer may not allow an instructor onsite, or the consumer does not wish to have job supports in the workplace. In these types of cases, direct contact with the consumer must be included in the job supports plan and the employer (if approved by the consumer) phone calls, check-in meetings in the community or emails, etc. may be used as 'offsite' support. Offsite support requests will be considered and approved by DVR on a case-by-case basis and agreement must be documented in the DVR case file.

Other Supports
If a consumer needs other types of support that fall outside of the soft or hard job skills described, the Supported Employment team and DVR should be consulted, and a plan to provide those supports should be developed. Services such as transportation training, personal attendant services are not part of Systematic Instruction. If a consumer requires another person to be present at the request of someone other than the consumer or for the purposes of an established behavioral support plan, civil commitment or for safety, the Supported Employment team and DVR should be notified to discuss the appropriateness of the job placement, next steps or to develop plans for supports.

Supported Employment Transition to Long Term Supports (LTS) (3-6 months)

A discussion with the service provider, consumer, DVR, and long-term support provider (and any others invited by the consumer) is required to secure an appropriate plan and time to facilitate the transition to long term support services. A meeting is not required; however, DVR must document that all parties have agreed on a plan to provide support to the consumer and a definition of what stabilization will look like based on the consumer's individual circumstances. It is critical to identify agreement on the timing of the transition with the provider of long term supports ahead of the transition to allow them to follow their own internal procedure for consumer/member plan revision and payments to be put in place. If a change in provider of direct supports in needed, all parties including the new provider should work to identify hand off procedures.

Stability can occur at any time. While additional independence and progress may still occur, stabilization happens when the consumer has learned the job and is performing at a level where they are able to accurately complete the required job tasks with a reasonable level of support given the timeframe on the job and in the timeframe agreed upon with the employer. Once stability is achieved the case should be transitioned to Long-Term Support, though transition cannot occur before the consumer reaches 90 days on the job.

Timing of the transition to long term supports should coincide with the first business day of the month if possible. This it to ease confusion for payment by long term supports to the service provider. No provider shall be paid by long term supports for the same service on any date covered by DVR authorizations for services.

Transition to LTS Report (DVR-18037-E)

Supported Employment Transition to Long Term Support (LTS) (7+months)

If the transition occurs after at least six months of supports and retention services, and the service provider has provided substantial services (documented in reports submitted monthly to DVR) and has aided significantly in the transition to LTS, they may receive payment for this service at the discretion of the local DVR office at the time of the transition to long term supports.

Service Providers are not required to provide monthly reports to DVR after the transition to LTS. If the DVR case file is not closed, DVR can continue to contact the consumer, employer, or long-term support provider to obtain information for case closure purposes.

WIOA states that DVR is required to follow the consumer for an additional 90 days after successful transition to LTS before closing the case.

Service Providers are required to provide the start date of employment and the hourly wage rate documentation to DVR before receiving a payment for retention or transition to long term support. See Wage Document Requirements for DVR Service Providers.

Transition to LTS Report (DVR-18037-E)

Fee Schedule

Service Notes

If a consumer has been authorized job retention services and needs monthly systematic instruction, the provider should contact DVR as soon as possible and identify the reason(s) for the requested change in service. After quick consultation with the consumer, if agreed, monthly systematic instruction should be authorized without delay, the service delivered, reported, and the provider paid at the monthly systematic instruction rate.

If a consumer has been authorized for monthly systematic instruction and no longer needs the services, the provider should contact DVR as soon as possible and identify the reason for the change in service. If agreed, after consultation with the consumer, job retention should be authorized to begin on the first day of the following month.

For consumers needing on-the-job site supports for any non-SE activity (training program or I/TW), Job Task Analysis and Systematic Instruction will be provided at the typical fee and hourly rate. Permanent positions and On-the-Job Training (OJTs) for SE consumers will receive the monthly Systematic Instruction rate.

If a consumer returns to DVR and Career Profile was previously completed, it should be reviewed to see if another career profile is necessary.

Service Providers may not seek or accept payments from another source for the same consumer and service funded in the same timeframe as DVR.

Reports/Forms

Required Reporting Templates

Resources

• Competitive Integrated Employment Guidance
• DVR Supported Employment Guidance
• Job Center of Wisconsin
• Role and Responsibilities
• Transportation Plan
• Wage Document Requirements
• Wisconsin Association for Persons Supporting Employment First
• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
• Wisconsin Job Center Publications (Multiple titles for viewing or printing)
• Wisconsin labor market information: Visit WisConomy.com

Qualifications

Providers who are delivering statewide services must agree to have qualified personnel complete the services.

DVR is working on qualifications for 2026-28 contract period, more information will be provided when those qualifications have been identified.

Metrics

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has identified service specific criteria for all statewide services. The list below contains objective information that DVR will begin to collect and use to establish baseline quality information, and eventually establish goals for quality improvement with our provider partners. The effort to collect the information, verify accuracy, establish data baselines and targets will take time and collaboration. DVR's goal in identifying these criteria in the technical specifications is to assist providers in understanding what elements DVR considers important in the delivery of statewide services.

Statewide Service Specific Criteria