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The State of New Jersey. Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) & Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Present.
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The State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services(DVRS) Department of Human Services Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) & Division of Developmental Disabilities(DDD) Present
Supported Employment Services Memorandum of Understandingbetween DVRS, CBVI & DDD Overview
Section I: Purpose Why do we need an Inter-Agency Memorandum of Understanding? • To assist DVRS, CBVI, and DDD to operate in an efficient and successful manner to ensure quality service provision • To help guide efforts toward improving employment outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities who are entering the workforce
Why revise the MOU? • Define interagency relationships, roles and responsibilities • Align with current service delivery options & practice • Stress consistent and seamless service delivery • Emphasize Supported Employment as a viable option for all individuals • Ensure employment outcomes are tracked
Section II: Scope“Who does this MOU apply to?” Individuals with developmental disabilities eligible for Supported Services through : Division of Developmental Disabilities and/or Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and/or Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Section IVReferrals To refer or not to refer…that is the question!
Who should be referred to DVRS/CBVI for services? • Individuals who want to work …….. should be referred to DVRS/CBVI to request assistance with finding employment
Individuals should notgo to DVRS/CBVI to ask for a letter of rejection.
Section V: Eligibility • Eligibility determinations will be initiated and completed by each Division based upon eligibility criteria independent of the other Divisions. • DVRS or CBVI will accept DDD eligible individuals for supported employment pre-placement and intensive training phases.
Section VI Placement
General Rules of Placement • DVRS/CBVI- 18 month maximum to establish Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) objectives have been met and job stabilization has occurred. • DVRS/CBVI counselor will provide written notification of projected beginning and ending dates of time limited supported employment services to be provided to the individual to DDD. • DVRS/CBVI will make efforts to refer individuals to SE Vendors contracted through all three entities. (SE Vendor List available on DDD SE Website)
Phases of Placement: “Pre-Placement Phase” Funded through DVRS or CBVI the pre-placement phase consists of : • Intake and Assessments~ gathering information about the person seeking employment • Job Development & Job-Site Analysis~ gathering information about potential employment opportunities • Facilitating a good job match by the employment specialist/job developer • Determination of Supported Employment or Time-Limited Job Coaching service
Phases of Placement: “Intensive Training Phase” Funded by DVRS or CBVI the Intensive Training Phase, provided after the job match to ensure employment success, consists of: • Job modifications and accommodations, job restructuring, training, establishing natural supports, etc. • One-to-One support provided by an employment specialist (job coach) while the employee learns the position and the employer learns support needs
Section VII Extended Services Long Term Follow Along
Extended Services “Long Term Follow-Along (LTFA)” Funded through DDD, LTFA begins once job stabilization has occurred & the employment specialist hours have faded down to maintenance level. LTFA consists of: • Ongoing lifelong support services provided by the employment specialist to ensure continued employment success • Supporting individuals interested in career development • Offering short term replacement hours in cases of job loss or job jeopardy
Transitioning High School Students Where do I go now?
When should students contact DVRS for services? • According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) students may contact NJDVRS as young as age 14 for transition planning. • Typically students begin to work with DVRS two years prior to graduation with the goal of seamless transition of services upon graduation. • Supported Employment Services are funded through the School District until the student graduates. • DVRS will not provide cost services until the student has completed their educational entitlement.
When should students contact DDD for services ? • Students with developmental disabilities may apply for DDD services at any time. • Students may request placement on the DDD day services planning list up to 5 years prior to the end of the student’s educational entitlement. • DDD will not begin to fund day services until July 1st after the end of the individuals educational entitlement.
When should students contact CBVI for services? • Students with visual impairments may contact CBVI for services at any time.
Graduation is approaching…do students have to make a choice between working and other day services? • No. The MOU allows individuals, who are participating in Self Directed Day Services, to simultaneously utilize DVRS/CBVI and a Self Directed Day Budget. Certain rules do apply. • The Individual must work less than 35 hours per week. (hours are based on the # of hours worked not the # of SE support hours received) • The Individual must stay within their allotted budget to support requested day services.
However you can not utilize both on the same day. Individuals who do not utilize a Self Directed Day Service Budget can work with DVRS/CBVI support and attend other DDD day services too! Work Schedule Day Program Schedule
Points to Consider… • Supported Employment is for individuals with the “most significant” disabilities • Supported Employment utilizes the “place & train” method • Information about Supported Employment should be shared with all individuals and their families • Employment is the desired outcome for individuals with disabilities
Additional Resources available on the DDD SE Website • MOU • DDD Supported Employment Manual • Glossary of Terms • State Agency Contact List • Supported Employment Vendor List http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/ses.htm
Additional Resources… • The Arc of New Jersey www.arcnj.org • The Boggs Center http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter/index.htm • New Jersey Transit http://www.njtransit.com/index.jsp • New Jersey Work Incentive Network System www.njwins.org • Workforce New Jersey Public Information System http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wnjpin/wnjpin_index.html • Family Support Center of NJ www.fscnj.org