1 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

2 Supported Employment Services Memorandum of Understanding between DVRS, CBVI & DDD Overview

3 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 provisionTo 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 workforceTo help guide efforts toward improving employment outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities who are entering the workforce

4 Why revise the MOU? Define interagency relationships, roles and responsibilitiesDefine interagency relationships, roles and responsibilities Align with current service delivery options & practiceAlign with current service delivery options & practice Stress consistent and seamless service deliveryStress consistent and seamless service delivery Emphasize Supported Employment as a viable option for all individualsEmphasize Supported Employment as a viable option for all individuals Ensure employment outcomes are trackedEnsure employment outcomes are tracked

5 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

6 Section IV Referrals To refer or not to refer…that is the question!

7 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 who want to work …….. should be referred to DVRS/CBVI to request assistance with finding employment

8 Individuals should not go to DVRS/CBVI to ask for a letter of rejection.

9 Section V: Eligibility Eligibility determinations will be initiated and completed by each Division based upon eligibility criteria independent of the other Divisions.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.DVRS or CBVI will accept DDD eligible individuals for supported employment pre- placement and intensive training phases.

10 Section VI Placement

11 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- 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 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)DVRS/CBVI will make efforts to refer individuals to SE Vendors contracted through all three entities. (SE Vendor List available on DDD SE Website)

12 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 employmentIntake and Assessments~ gathering information about the person seeking employment Job Development & Job-Site Analysis~ gathering information about potential employment opportunitiesJob Development & Job-Site Analysis~ gathering information about potential employment opportunities Facilitating a good job match by the employment specialist/job developerFacilitating a good job match by the employment specialist/job developer Determination of Supported Employment or Time-Limited Job Coaching serviceDetermination of Supported Employment or Time-Limited Job Coaching service

13 Phases of Placement: Intensive Training Phase 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.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 needsOne-to-One support provided by an employment specialist (job coach) while the employee learns the position and the employer learns support needs

14 Section VII Extended Services Long Term Follow Along

15 Extended Services Long Term Follow-Along (LTFA) 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

16 Frequently Asked Questions

17 Transitioning High School Students Where do I go now?

18 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.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.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. 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. DVRS will not provide cost services until the student has completed their educational entitlement.

19 When should students contact DDD for services ? Students with developmental disabilities may apply for DDD services at any time.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 students educational entitlement.Students may request placement on the DDD day services planning list up to 5 years prior to the end of the students educational entitlement. DDD will not begin to fund day services until July 1 st after the end of the individuals educational entitlement.DDD will not begin to fund day services until July 1 st after the end of the individuals educational entitlement.

20 When should students contact CBVI for services? Students with visual impairments may contact CBVI for services at any time.Students with visual impairments may contact CBVI for services at any time.

21 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.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. Graduation is approaching…do students have to make a choice between working and other day services?

22 Other DDD Day Services

23 Individuals who do not utilize a Self Directed Day Service Budget can work with DVRS/CBVI support and attend other DDD day services too! However you can not utilize both on the same day.However you can not utilize both on the same day. Work Schedule Day Program Schedule

24 Points to Consider… Supported Employment is for individuals with the most significant disabilitiesSupported Employment is for individuals with the most significant disabilities Supported Employment utilizes the place & train methodSupported Employment utilizes the place & train method Information about Supported Employment should be shared with all individuals and their familiesInformation about Supported Employment should be shared with all individuals and their families Employment is the desired outcome for individuals with disabilitiesEmployment is the desired outcome for individuals with disabilities

25 Supported Employment Services Resources

26 Additional Resources available on the DDD SE Website MOUMOU DDD Supported Employment ManualDDD Supported Employment Manual Glossary of TermsGlossary of Terms State Agency Contact ListState Agency Contact List Supported Employment Vendor ListSupported Employment Vendor Listhttp://

27 Additional Resources… The Arc of New JerseyThe Arc of New Jersey The Boggs Center Boggs Center New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit New Jersey Work Incentive Network System Jersey Work Incentive Network System Workforce New Jersey Public Information System New Jersey Public Information System Family Support Center of NJFamily Support Center of NJ

28 QUESTIONS?