Supported Employment and Long Term Follow-Along for the for the Counselor and Job Coach December, 2008

Introductions: –Judy Hill - EES/LTESS Coordinator

OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS JUDY HILL JUDY HILL FAX NUMBER FOR ESSP: FAX NUMBER FOR ESSP: DRS TOLL FREE VOICE DRS TOLL FREE VOICE WEBSITE: then click on Employment and Vocational Services then click on Employment and Vocational Services The Supported Employment Guide can be found at: f

What’s in your resource packet? Understanding Order of Selection Brochure Understanding Order of Selection Brochure Power point Presentation Power point Presentation Enclave/Mobile Crew 101, Stability for Individual SE Enclave/Mobile Crew 101, Stability for Individual SE Other SE Issues, Revised SE Forms OESSP Information Sheet OESSP Information Sheet Appendices B & C - WAT, SA and Provisions for Extended Employment Services (EES) Appendices B & C - WAT, SA and Provisions for Extended Employment Services (EES) Appendix D - Guidelines for SE and JCTS Appendix D - Guidelines for SE and JCTS Appendix E - Provision of Long Term Employment Support Appendix E - Provision of Long Term Employment Support LTESS Guidelines LTESS Guidelines LTESS forms - application, requisition, closure LTESS forms - application, requisition, closure Policy on Integrated Settings-Employment Outcomes and Extended Employment Policy on Integrated Settings-Employment Outcomes and Extended Employment Successful Closure Successful Closure Definition of Most Significant Disability (MSD) Definition of Most Significant Disability (MSD) Post Employment Post Employment List of Acronyms List of Acronyms List of DRS Statuses List of DRS Statuses EES/LTESS Forms EES/LTESS Forms

Topics to Cover: Insights into SE/Long Term Practices Insights into SE/Long Term Practices Brief Historical Background – EES and LTESS Brief Historical Background – EES and LTESS Key Service Requirements for Long Term Follow-Along Key Service Requirements for Long Term Follow-Along

DRS IMPACT ON ESO PROGRAMS *DRS Field Spends almost 10 Million *DRS Field Spends almost 10 Million **DRS OESSP EES and LTESS Spends over 7.2 Million **DRS OESSP EES and LTESS Spends over 7.2 Million * State Fiscal Year 2008 ** This includes the 15% reduction in both programs

Why are we here? To stress the importance of communication and collaboration among all parties To stress the importance of communication and collaboration among all parties Supported employment specifics Supported employment specifics Long Term Follow-along – LTESS specifics Long Term Follow-along – LTESS specifics

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS R ELATIONSHIPS - Frequent Contacts between VR and JC - Getting info between VR and JC quickly - VR and JC view themselves as part of a team - Access to VR counselor or job coach

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS TRUST - VR and JC trust in each other to: - Give sufficient hours to do job - Use hours given efficiently and effectively - Consumer Characteristics/Needs: - Difficult vs. less difficult consumers - Full use of authorized hours vs request cancellations

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT Collaboration and Communication Collaboration and Communication Roles of each of us from referral to follow along Roles of each of us from referral to follow along Clarification of services Clarification of services –Individual SE –Group – Enclave, Mobile Work Crew, Entrepreneurial –JCTS

What model to use? Does the consumer require ongoing extended support services in order to maintain competitive employment? Does the consumer require ongoing extended support services in order to maintain competitive employment? Is it required that a job coach work individually with a consumer? Is it required that a job coach work individually with a consumer? Does the consumer require employment in a mobile work crew or enclave? Does the consumer require employment in a mobile work crew or enclave? Is employment integrated? Is employment integrated?

SE - Individual Placement Single supported employee placed in an integrated work setting in the community Single supported employee placed in an integrated work setting in the community employed by employer employed by employer ongoing follow-along required ongoing follow-along required most widely used SE model most widely used SE model Advantages: flexibility, max. integration, ease in differentiating between training and LTFA Advantages: flexibility, max. integration, ease in differentiating between training and LTFA

Enclave Model small group of supported employees placed in community-based employment small group of supported employees placed in community-based employment may work together or be dispersed with integrated setting may work together or be dispersed with integrated setting may be employed by employer or ESO may be employed by employer or ESO ongoing follow-along required ongoing follow-along required advantage: higher level of supervision and support advantage: higher level of supervision and support

Mobile Work Crew Model group of supported employees who travel together to one or more integrated work settings in the community to perform contract work group of supported employees who travel together to one or more integrated work settings in the community to perform contract work employed by the ESO employed by the ESO ongoing support required ongoing support required advantage: higher level of supervision and support advantage: higher level of supervision and support

Entrepreneurial Model supported employees producing a service or product either on a sub-contract basis or as a prime manufacturer supported employees producing a service or product either on a sub-contract basis or as a prime manufacturer SE employees, along with managers and others, comprise the business SE employees, along with managers and others, comprise the business advantages: integrated, public contact, PR advantages: integrated, public contact, PR

JCTS Consumer receives initial situational assessment, job development, job skills training, transportation training, or other support services provided by an ESO; however long term follow-along is not necessary after DRS case closure. Consumer receives initial situational assessment, job development, job skills training, transportation training, or other support services provided by an ESO; however long term follow-along is not necessary after DRS case closure. This is a separate service and requires applicable service category on vendor’s rate sheet. This is a separate service and requires applicable service category on vendor’s rate sheet. Service Item Codes are not the same as those for SE. Service Item Codes are not the same as those for SE. When service categories are open, cases can be coded as either MSD or SD. When service categories are open, cases can be coded as either MSD or SD. If a consumer receives JCTS services, no follow along is required so therefore, a LTESS application should not be completed. If the consumer demonstrates that LTFA is needed then the ESO can submit a LTESS application after they have DRS counselor approval. The counselor needs to document the change in the case notes and change the SI codes on any authorizations if necessary. If a consumer receives JCTS services, no follow along is required so therefore, a LTESS application should not be completed. If the consumer demonstrates that LTFA is needed then the ESO can submit a LTESS application after they have DRS counselor approval. The counselor needs to document the change in the case notes and change the SI codes on any authorizations if necessary.

DRS Counselor Roles and Responsibilities Once eligibility is established SE planning begins. Once eligibility is established SE planning begins. Are long term supports needed? If yes, then SE case. If no, consider JCTS. Are long term supports needed? If yes, then SE case. If no, consider JCTS. Identify long term support. Identify long term support. SE cases must be coded as MSD. SE cases must be coded as MSD. Share sufficient diagnostic information. Share sufficient diagnostic information.

DRS COUNSELOR ROLE Establish benchmarks regarding progress. Establish benchmarks regarding progress. Stop the process if needed and discuss issues – Interrupt Failure if needed. Stop the process if needed and discuss issues – Interrupt Failure if needed. Clarify expectations. Clarify expectations. Maintain a separate role with consumer from vendor. Maintain a separate role with consumer from vendor. Determine what services can be provided by DRS before asking a job coach to do them. Determine what services can be provided by DRS before asking a job coach to do them. Continue to communicate with consumer after referral to job coach. Continue to communicate with consumer after referral to job coach. Case statuses must be properly updated. Case statuses must be properly updated. Communicate and collaborate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Communicate and collaborate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIPPA ISSUE ESOs will not be able to reference SS #s in the new internet EES/LTESS system. As a result you must use the consumer's participant ID # rather than a case or Social Security # in all communication regarding the consumer. ESOs will not be able to reference SS #s in the new internet EES/LTESS system. As a result you must use the consumer's participant ID # rather than a case or Social Security # in all communication regarding the consumer. The Certificate of Eligibility has the participant #, therefore we recommend that a copy be sent to the ESO as a part of the referral package. The Certificate of Eligibility has the participant #, therefore we recommend that a copy be sent to the ESO as a part of the referral package. The participant ID # should be reflected on all of the SE forms. It is not on the authorizations generated by AWARE. The participant ID # should be reflected on all of the SE forms. It is not on the authorizations generated by AWARE.

Job Coach Role: Assist consumer with locating suitable job matches. Assist consumer with locating suitable job matches. Assist in job search efforts. Assist in job search efforts. Provide timely written reports and phone contacts with updates as needed. Provide timely written reports and phone contacts with updates as needed. Provide job skills training as needed. Provide job skills training as needed. Ensure consumer stability and job satisfaction on both consumer and employer side. Ensure consumer stability and job satisfaction on both consumer and employer side. Provide extended support services, where appropriate. Provide extended support services, where appropriate.

Job Coach Responsibilities Communicate and collaborate with DRS Counselor and consumers. Communicate and collaborate with DRS Counselor and consumers. Providing information as to fading plans, need for follow-along, funding options. Providing information as to fading plans, need for follow-along, funding options. Work as a team with DRS, case managers, consumers, families, etc. to improve likelihood of success. Work as a team with DRS, case managers, consumers, families, etc. to improve likelihood of success.

Topics coming up: Communication Issues Initial Planning Initial Planning Authorizing Services Authorizing Services Service Provision Service Provision Report Writing Report Writing Invoicing Invoicing

Opportunities for Communication and Collaboration Initial Planning Expectations Initial Planning Expectations –Situational Assessment –SE vs. JCTS –Job Goal/Development –Placement and Training –Stability/Fading –Long Term Follow Along

WHO PAYS FOR SERVICES? Initial Planning for Services: Initial Planning for Services: –DRS pays for situational assessment, job development and placement and training through stabilization –Long term support funds pay for extended services including post stabilization while the case is still open. Examples-LTESS,CSB –DRS pays for post employment, not LTESS

Opportunities for Communication and Collaboration Authorizing Services: Authorizing Services: –All authorizations need to consider individual consumer need. –Need to be in place prior to provision of service. –Justification needed for requested hours and a timely response from counselors including emergencies like post employment. –DRS Counselor should keep in mind that there are no caps/no maximums.

Opportunities for Communication and Collaboration Service Provision: Service Provision: –Job Development Agreement of goals for consumer. Agreement of goals for consumer. Provide sufficient service hours - No maximums or minimums, individually considered. Provide sufficient service hours - No maximums or minimums, individually considered. Monthly progress reports should contain information as to name, numbers and types of contacts made, strategies applied, job development hours used, potential placement possibilities or outcomes expected and request for next month. Monthly progress reports should contain information as to name, numbers and types of contacts made, strategies applied, job development hours used, potential placement possibilities or outcomes expected and request for next month.

Opportunities for Communication and Collaboration Service Provision: Service Provision: –Job Placement/Training No maximum or minimum hours allowed for Placement/Training - has to be individually considered (18 month duration limitation). No maximum or minimum hours allowed for Placement/Training - has to be individually considered (18 month duration limitation). Training time is not standardized. Training time is not standardized. Monthly reports, including intervention percentage and fading schedule along with progress made to date. Monthly reports, including intervention percentage and fading schedule along with progress made to date. Last monthly SE P&T Report (SE Form 3) should indicate consumer is stable in employment before LTFA begins. Last monthly SE P&T Report (SE Form 3) should indicate consumer is stable in employment before LTFA begins.

INVOICING: Billable Services under SE Expectation of Counselor – Complete, Timely, Individualized, and Accurate Billing Work Site Activities: Work Site Activities: –Includes travel, training and intervention with consumer, employer, and employees at work site Job Development Activities: Job Development Activities: –Includes consumer specific job development with employers, supervisors, and other personnel for purposes directly relating to employment Off-Site Activities: Off-Site Activities: –Includes training in transportation, money handling, and advocacy for persons not directly affiliated with the work site Remember, if a DRS employee can provide the service, that should be the priority!

INVOICING: Billable Services under SE Assessment/Report Writing: Assessment/Report Writing: –Includes provision of situational assessment services and all task analysis, training and progress report writing –Billing for report writing and telephone calls should reflect actual and reasonable time spent, not standardized times

Fading: Intervention percentage time is the time the Job Coach spends supporting the consumer on the job site divided by the total number of hours worked. Intervention percentage time is the time the Job Coach spends supporting the consumer on the job site divided by the total number of hours worked. Intervention declines over time as a measure of progress. Intervention declines over time as a measure of progress.

EMPLOYMENT STABILITY AND THE MOVEMENT FROM TIME LIMITED TO LTESS FUNDING

WHAT IS STABILITY? Traditional guideline: job coaching support is 20% or less. This may not always be the case. Traditional guideline: job coaching support is 20% or less. This may not always be the case. Consumer is emotionally, behaviorally stable. Consumer is emotionally, behaviorally stable. Consumer will demonstrate stability for at least 30 days in “service” status before case is moved to “employed” status. Consumer will demonstrate stability for at least 30 days in “service” status before case is moved to “employed” status. Last placement and training form (SE Form 3) submitted to DRS must note stability has been reached and when the case will begin long term follow along. Last placement and training form (SE Form 3) submitted to DRS must note stability has been reached and when the case will begin long term follow along. Communication between the ESO and DRS is imperative for this action to be successful. Communication between the ESO and DRS is imperative for this action to be successful.

How to calculate STABILITY?  “Stability” is the direct/indirect intervention hours by the employment specialist divided by the number of consumer work hours for that time period (usually calculated weekly and/or monthly).  Example: 10 intervention hours divided by 20 consumer work hours is 50%. While DRS case service and LTESS funds pay for employment specialist transportation and documentation, the hours spent providing these services do not enter into the calculation of “stability”.

DRS Individual SE Case Movement The DRS Counselor keeps the consumer in “service” status until stability for 30 days or more is achieved. The DRS Counselor keeps the consumer in “service” status until stability for 30 days or more is achieved. The DRS counselor will then move the consumer to “employed” status for at least 90 days. The DRS counselor will then move the consumer to “employed” status for at least 90 days. Once the consumer has worked in “employed” status for a minimum of 90 days or more and remains stable on the job, the case is successfully closed “Closed - Rehab”. Once the consumer has worked in “employed” status for a minimum of 90 days or more and remains stable on the job, the case is successfully closed “Closed - Rehab”. LTESS funds begin supporting LTFA at the beginning of “employed” status. LTESS funds begin supporting LTFA at the beginning of “employed” status.

Stability in Group Models For persons in group models, “stability” is defined as the completion of a 60 day period in which intervention is directed at maintaining a level of production and not at major barriers to successful integration into the job site. In other words, the job coach/trainer is devoting the majority of time addressing training issues rather than behavioral issues. The consumer is meeting a level of production that is acceptable to the employer (either the business or ESO itself). For persons in group models, “stability” is defined as the completion of a 60 day period in which intervention is directed at maintaining a level of production and not at major barriers to successful integration into the job site. In other words, the job coach/trainer is devoting the majority of time addressing training issues rather than behavioral issues. The consumer is meeting a level of production that is acceptable to the employer (either the business or ESO itself). The case remains in “service” status until the stability period ends. The case then goes to “employed” status at the end of a minimum 60 day period. At this point the case is considered to be in LTFA. Funding could be from a number of sources. The case remains in “service” status until the stability period ends. The case then goes to “employed” status at the end of a minimum 60 day period. At this point the case is considered to be in LTFA. Funding could be from a number of sources.

Ongoing Services Form (SE Form 4) The Code of Federal Regulations requires twice a month monitoring of the consumer until DRS closes the case. The ESOs are required to complete the Ongoing Services Form each month from the time the case begins follow along until DRS case closure. The job coach is required to send a copy to the DRS counselor each month until the case is closed. The Code of Federal Regulations requires twice a month monitoring of the consumer until DRS closes the case. The ESOs are required to complete the Ongoing Services Form each month from the time the case begins follow along until DRS case closure. The job coach is required to send a copy to the DRS counselor each month until the case is closed.

ESO Action to Access LTESS Before the 30 day stability period ends, a LTESS application must be received no later than the 20 th of the month preceding the start of follow along services. This ensures that LTESS funds will support LTFA after time limited services by the DRS counselor ends. Before the 30 day stability period ends, a LTESS application must be received no later than the 20 th of the month preceding the start of follow along services. This ensures that LTESS funds will support LTFA after time limited services by the DRS counselor ends. All LTESS applications must be approved by a DRS counselor. The ESO must document the approval in the case record. All LTESS applications must be approved by a DRS counselor. The ESO must document the approval in the case record.

Individual LTFA Definition With the approval of the DRS counselor and ESO job coach either bimonthly or quarterly contacts with the consumer would be acceptable to DRS provided that: * the consumer and family understand the frequency, * the consumer is given access to follow along supports if needed sooner than the next scheduled contact, and * the ongoing supports being provided are adequate to meet the client’s needs with respect to maintaining employment. With the approval of the DRS counselor and ESO job coach either bimonthly or quarterly contacts with the consumer would be acceptable to DRS provided that: * the consumer and family understand the frequency, * the consumer is given access to follow along supports if needed sooner than the next scheduled contact, and * the ongoing supports being provided are adequate to meet the client’s needs with respect to maintaining employment.

LTFA VS POST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LTFA is the maintenance of a person in employment. LTFA is the maintenance of a person in employment. LTFA does not mean case management. LTFA does not mean case management. LTESS does not fund training, retraining or job placement. LTESS does not fund training, retraining or job placement. If retraining, job placement or other services are needed, the DRS counselor should be contacted immediately. The consumer probably will need services other than LTFA. If retraining, job placement or other services are needed, the DRS counselor should be contacted immediately. The consumer probably will need services other than LTFA.

ONE LAST REMINDER  LTESS funds vocational support services that are necessary and sufficient for consumers to maintain employment. Case management, independent living or other services that are not vocational in nature should not be billed to LTESS funds. Per the Code of Virginia, LTESS funds are not appropriated by the General Assembly to fund those services.

QUESTIONS?????

EES/LTESS BUDGETS FISCAL YEARS No new LTESS dollars in FY 08 or 09 No new LTESS dollars in FY 08 or 09 Total LTESS dollars after 3% reductions in FY $5,184,044 Total LTESS dollars after 3% reductions in FY $5,184,044 Total LTESS dollars after 15% reductions in FY $4,406,437 Total LTESS dollars after 15% reductions in FY $4,406,437

EES/LTESS BUDGETS FISCAL YEARS Total EES dollars after reductions in FY $3,200,104 -3% Total EES dollars after reductions in FY $3,200,104 -3% Total EES dollars after reductions in FY $2,720, % Total EES dollars after reductions in FY $2,720, %

Long Term Employment Support Services Funding 95-08

Extended Employment Services Funding 95-08

LTESS HISTORY Grassroots effort by ESOs with General Assembly in FY 94 Grassroots effort by ESOs with General Assembly in FY 94 Success for FY 95 - $375,000 in State funds with primary target of Supported Employment Follow Along for persons with severe disabilities Success for FY 95 - $375,000 in State funds with primary target of Supported Employment Follow Along for persons with severe disabilities Incremental increases in past years Incremental increases in past years Funds have been reduced each year for the last two years. Funds have been reduced each year for the last two years.

EES/LTESS – What’s the difference? EES Funding : -Services provided are onsite employment, enclave and mobile crews – No individual SE -No counselor approval -Limited number of ESOs involved -No additional allocations – program not growing LTESS Funding : -Full array of services provided including individual supported employment, onsite employment, enclave and mobile crew -Counselor must be involved in the approval of consumers -Double the number of ESOs involved in LTESS funding -Concentrated efforts to “grow” the LTESS pot

Extended Employment Services (EES) - History First allocated from General Assembly for FY 84 and 100% state funds. First allocated from General Assembly for FY 84 and 100% state funds. Current allocation is now over $2.7M distributed across the original 41 vendors providing Extended Employment Services to fund long term support to severely disabled consumers. Current allocation is now over $2.7M distributed across the original 41 vendors providing Extended Employment Services to fund long term support to severely disabled consumers. No additional funds allocated from the General Assembly since No additional funds allocated from the General Assembly since Numbers of consumers served have declined over the years because of no increase in funds. Numbers of consumers served have declined over the years because of no increase in funds.

EES Half of ESOs provide community placement – enclaves and/or mobile crews. Half of ESOs provide community placement – enclaves and/or mobile crews. Individuals served primarily have disabilities of MR (66%) or SMI (14%). Individuals served primarily have disabilities of MR (66%) or SMI (14%). EES is not restricted to DRS consumers. EES is not restricted to DRS consumers. Must be one of the original vendors to receive an EES allocation. Must be one of the original vendors to receive an EES allocation. Most recently funding has been lost to reductions. Most recently funding has been lost to reductions.

EES Any consumer is eligible for EES funds as long as they are documented as having a severely disability. Any consumer is eligible for EES funds as long as they are documented as having a severely disability. Counselors do not have to be contacted prior to an EES application. Counselors do not have to be contacted prior to an EES application. ESO must provide an integrated setting for a DRS/DBVI counselor to receive a closure. The counselor may still refer a consumer to an ESO that is not integrated if that is the best placement. ESO must provide an integrated setting for a DRS/DBVI counselor to receive a closure. The counselor may still refer a consumer to an ESO that is not integrated if that is the best placement. Bottom line is to do what is best for the consumer. Bottom line is to do what is best for the consumer. Due to limitations in the EES program, ESO community lobbied for additional follow along dollars which would be available to all approved vendors…. Due to limitations in the EES program, ESO community lobbied for additional follow along dollars which would be available to all approved vendors….

LTESS - WHAT IS IT? Long Term Employment Support Services Long Term Employment Support Services –100% State dollars appropriated by the General Assembly for FY1995 –Intended as long term funding to support individuals with severe disabilities in accessing and maintaining employment –Not intended to supplant other funds used for the same purpose.

LTESS BACKGROUND 1994 General Assembly appropriated $375,000 for FY 95 and 201 consumers were served General Assembly appropriated $375,000 for FY 95 and 201 consumers were served. The LTESS program is currently serving over 2,800 consumers a month in 77 ESOs around the state. The LTESS program is currently serving over 2,800 consumers a month in 77 ESOs around the state. Individuals served primarily have disabilities of MR (44%) or SMI (25%). Individuals served primarily have disabilities of MR (44%) or SMI (25%).

LTESS GUIDELINES LTESS funds CANNOT be used to supplant planned or current funding for long term supports. LTESS funds CANNOT be used to supplant planned or current funding for long term supports. –If a consumer is being sponsored by a public source, it should continue -Generally, no split funding for employment Vendors cannot charge DRS more than any other purchasers of the same services as specified on the vendor rate sheet. Vendors cannot charge DRS more than any other purchasers of the same services as specified on the vendor rate sheet. Exception: individual, private pay Exception: individual, private pay Medicaid rates changed to be the same as DRS rates. Medicaid rates changed to be the same as DRS rates.

LTESS GUIDELINES (continued) Individuals who have been sponsored for employment services by public funds must wait 12 months to become eligible for LTESS Individuals who have been sponsored for employment services by public funds must wait 12 months to become eligible for LTESS –A mechanism is established by DRS for exceptions in the case of hardship. LTESS funding is not disability specific! LTESS funding is not disability specific! Organizations accepting LTESS funding must work with all DRS consumers and not discriminate on the basis of disability. Organizations accepting LTESS funding must work with all DRS consumers and not discriminate on the basis of disability.

LTESS GUIDELINES (continued) Services billed through LTESS must be employment related follow-along services Services billed through LTESS must be employment related follow-along services –Job development, retraining, referral to DRS tp reopen the case and general case management services are NOT considered follow-along –Provide the services needed to maintain employment – not “nice to do” or “always have done it that way” or “the employer likes me to come every week” –Spikes are expected-over 20% of hours worked- send in documentation – notification is sent to counselors upon submission of LTESS application

LTESS GUIDELINES (continued ) As LTESS is the funding of last resort for long term supports, vendors must document attempts to secure sponsorship and the absence of alternative funding sources. As LTESS is the funding of last resort for long term supports, vendors must document attempts to secure sponsorship and the absence of alternative funding sources. Each consumer is required to have an individualized service plan that is clear, complete, and current following CARF guidelines. Each consumer is required to have an individualized service plan that is clear, complete, and current following CARF guidelines.

LTESS GUIDELINES (continued) Monthly reports (including intervention sheets) should be maintained in the individual consumer file except: Monthly reports (including intervention sheets) should be maintained in the individual consumer file except: –if an individual is billed 20% or more of the total hours worked, the vendor must submit justification in the form of a monthly progress report

GENERAL INFORMATION Any consumer with a goal of receiving Supported Employment or Extended Employment is a possible candidate for LTESS funding Any consumer with a goal of receiving Supported Employment or Extended Employment is a possible candidate for LTESS funding –Does NOT have to be an open DRS case or a DRS case at all DRS or DBVI counselor approval is required for use of all LTESS dollars DRS or DBVI counselor approval is required for use of all LTESS dollars –Includes unfunded, on-site extended employment –Includes closed DRS SE that may require additional follow along to maintain employment –Includes JCTS if discovered consumer needs support to maintain employment Collaboration and Communication!! Collaboration and Communication!!

MAJOR LTESS ISSUES Counselor approval must be obtained and documented before applications submitted. Counselor approval must be obtained and documented before applications submitted. Applications must be thoroughly completed. Applications must be thoroughly completed. Applications must be submitted by the 20 th. Applications must be submitted by the 20 th. Applications cannot be submitted for consumers receiving JCTS. Applications cannot be submitted for consumers receiving JCTS. Applications for consumers in wrong DRS status. Applications for consumers in wrong DRS status.

ALLOCATION METHODOLOGY Allocations are based on a 3-year rolling average of expenditures utilizing a 125% rule. Allocations are based on a 3-year rolling average of expenditures utilizing a 125% rule. One bad year will not “hurt” as much if averaged with two good years. One bad year will not “hurt” as much if averaged with two good years.

REALLOCATIONS DRS reviews expenditure patterns throughout the fiscal year and completes reallocations as needed. DRS reviews expenditure patterns throughout the fiscal year and completes reallocations as needed. Reallocations are based on an individual organization’s statistics-average hours billed, average attendance, individual rates, months/days remaining in fiscal year. Reallocations are based on an individual organization’s statistics-average hours billed, average attendance, individual rates, months/days remaining in fiscal year.

REALLOCATIONS (continued) Vendors need to monitor themselves on a monthly basis. Vendors need to monitor themselves on a monthly basis. If a vendor chooses to maintain more individuals than their allocation can support with hopes of receiving additional dollars, that vendor is committing to be responsible for those individuals at the same level of service regardless of future allocations. If a vendor chooses to maintain more individuals than their allocation can support with hopes of receiving additional dollars, that vendor is committing to be responsible for those individuals at the same level of service regardless of future allocations.

General Information for EES/LTESS Vendor discretion as to how to apply their EES/LTESS funds Vendor discretion as to how to apply their EES/LTESS funds –MAY choose to support individuals in SE, individual or group models, extended employment or a combination –counselors may request certain consumers be supported with EES/LTESS, but vendors have final say following their own policies –overextending EES/LTESS funds is risky vendor discretion vendor discretion EES/LTESS allocations are public information. EES/LTESS allocations are public information.

THE FUTURE Recommendations were made to update the 15+ year old computer system Recommendations were made to update the 15+ year old computer system Web based Web based –No paper –Forms partially filled in –Errors minimized with edits and drop down help boxes

THE FUTURE –Financial data available on demand –Production data available on demand –Savings of paper, postage, phone bills (faxes) –Secured web site, password protected –Hipaa compliant Timeframe – FY 08 Initiated System Training for All in March 2009

FORMS Applications Applications Closures Closures Requisition/Invoices Requisition/Invoices

Questions? Questions?