1. OPWDD Prevocational Services New York State Association of Day Service Providers
November 8, 2017

2. Overview OPWDD’s Vision for Employment Services
10/23/17
Overview
OPWDD’s Vision for Employment Services
Overview of OPWDD Employment Services
Community Prevocational Services
Site-Based Prevocational Services
Prevocational Services and the ISP
Discussion and Questions

3. OPWDD’S Vision for Employment Services
10/23/17
OPWDD’S Vision for Employment Services
OPWDD’s goal is to increase the number of people gaining and retaining employment, earning minimum wage or more, and working in community, integrated jobs.
OPWDD has re-designed employment-related services based on best practices to include the following outcomes:
Increased Discovery
Enhanced person-centered, employment planning
Improved job matching
Increased community employment experiences
Improved employment-related social skills
Increased vocational skills and experience
Public benefits and financial planning
Flexible and comprehensive job coaching supports

4. Tools in the Toolbox Community Pre-Voc Pathway to Employment
10/23/17
Tools in the Toolbox
Community
Pre-Voc
Pathway to Employment
Employment Training Program (ETP)
Supported Employment (SEMP)
Prepares people for paid/unpaid employment in
2 years or more
Prepares people for paid work approximately
1 year
Discovery, job development and Intensive SEMP Services - 1 year
or less
Job Coaching,
Job Development and
Life-Long Supports on a Job
Discovery, community work experiences, volunteer opportunities and career planning
Discovery, community work experiences, and develop a vocational goal
Internship opportunity at a community business
Community based, competitive, integrated employment
Unpaid/
Volunteer Work Experiences
Volunteer Experiences
Wages paid by OPWDD until business hires if successful
Paid by business at minimum wage
or higher
Presenter Point: Looking at the all the different programs, or tools, from OPWDD will help us determine what is the best program, for this person, at this time.
Discussion: Talk about each service and program listed about to further clarify the differences. Emphasize the way to help determine the best choice is the first row across: How long and then why a person may go to ETP vs. PTE. Discuss the importance of ensuring you are putting people into the right program, or to say another way….the right tool for the job.
Discuss the Discovery Process for each program:
Comm Pre-voc is ongoing
PTE is approx. 200 of Discovery with recommendation moving forward.
ETP includes hours of Discovery
SEMP is where people will end up AFTER the Discovery Processes are completed and a clear job goal is present.
EX: If you have a toolbox with a wrench and a screwdriver, which are you going to use to hang a picture? You’re not going to get far or be successful using the wrench. Match the tool or program to the persons needs. How do you know?? Consider the time frames allotted to each. If you're not sure, start in Community Pre-voc. If a person displays excellent skills in a work setting, then you can discuss moving to ETP or PTE. Remember, these time frames are not a rule, just a guideline to get started.
Community Pre-voc, PTE and SEMP are all waiver services. What about ETP? ETP is a PROGRAM that is offered and the supports provided while attending ETP are via SEMP Waiver services. ETP is a good marriage with SEMP. ALL of these services should be available to people receiving services.
Transition: Before we go on let’s look at…
Next Slide: History of ETP

5. Which Services Fit the Person’s Skills, Experience and Support Needs?
OPWDD Career and Employment Services Options

6. What are Community Prevocational Services?
10/23/17
What are Community Prevocational Services?
Experiences that prepare individuals for jobs that pay minimum wage in an integrated setting
Opportunities to participate in volunteer and vocational community experiences for an extended period of time
Other activities include Discovery, job readiness skill development, etc.
Utilizes person-centered, employment planning services

7. Community Prevocational Service Features
10/23/17
Community Prevocational Service Features
Primarily in community, integrated settings such as volunteer sites, community businesses, etc.
Groups are limited to a maximum of 8 individuals per group

8. What are the Benefits of Community Prevocational Services?
10/23/17
What are the Benefits of Community Prevocational Services?
Services are hourly, and therefore, may wrap around or blend with other services
Employment planning and real work experiences improve job matches
Community work experiences increase informed choice
Improved social and vocational skills
Proactive public benefits and financial planning
Flexible and comprehensive staff supports

9. Community Prevocational Services May Include
10/23/17
Community Prevocational Services May Include
Following directions
Attending to tasks
Multi-tasking
Problem-solving
Work safely
Understanding the work culture
Being flexible
Development of social and natural supports
Learning about various job requirements
Travel training
Experience a variety of employment and/or volunteer options within the community

10. What are Site-Based Prevocational Services?
10/23/17
What are Site-Based Prevocational Services?
Prepares individuals for jobs that pay minimum wage in an integrated setting
Includes support and training related to adjusting to the productive and social demands of the work place
Prevocational services are provided to persons not expected to join the general work force within one year (excluding supported employment and Pathway to Employment)  

11. Site-Based Prevocational Service Features
Site-based prevocational services are provided in non-residential facilities certified by OPWDD
In site-based prevocational services where the individual earns wages, the person must have an assessed earning capacity of less than 50 percent minimum or prevailing wage [whichever is greater]

12. Site-Based Prevocational Services May Include
10/23/17
Site-Based Prevocational Services May Include
following directions
attending to task
task completion
problem solving
safety skills
adjusting to workplace demands
The purpose of the service is habilitative rather than teaching a specific job task skills.

13. Prevocational Services Documentation in the ISP
10/23/17
Prevocational Services Documentation in the ISP
Community Based Prevocational Services
Frequency – Hour or Hourly
Duration – Ongoing as authorized
Site Based Prevocational Services
Frequency - Day

14. Site Based Prevocational Services Pathway to Employment
10/23/17
Participating in Community Based Prevocational Services does not Preclude Participation in Other Services such as:
Site Based Prevocational Services
Pathway to Employment
Supported Employment
Day Habilitation
Community Habilitation

15. Prevocational Services Annual Assessment
10/23/17
Prevocational Services Annual Assessment
An annual assessment must determine whether services:
continue to meet the individual’s pre-employment and/or job readiness needs
assist the individual in obtaining competitive employment
The form and format prescribed by OPWDD is located at: emoranda/documents/sifl/annual_assessment_prevoc
To participate in paid prevocational services, the individual must have an assessed earning capacity of less than 50 percent of minimum wage or prevailing wage (according to DOL regulations)

16. Assistant Director of Employment and Meaningful Community Activities
10/23/17
Thank You!
Lynne Thibdeau, MPA
Assistant Director of Employment and Meaningful Community Activities