What is the difference between supported employment and integrated employment

Printer-friendly version Benchmarks Benchmarks are specific employment outcomes for which payments are made to the provider during the course of the SE process. Competitive Integrated Employment Competitive integrated employment is work in the competitive labor market that is performed full-time or the maximum number of hours possible in an integrated work setting; and for which the person is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary or usual wage paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by people who do not have disabilities.

Discovery Process The discovery process entails collecting information about the consumer through interviews and observations of his or her abilities in multiple settings on multiple occasions. Extended Services and Supports Extended Services and supports may be needed to maintain the employment outcome after a consumer's VR case has been closed.

Natural Supports Natural supports are supports that exist naturally in a workplace and the community. Negotiable Employment Conditions Negotiable Employment Conditions are preferences for working conditions and the things that a consumer would like the placement provider to consider when looking for suitable employment. Non-negotiable Employment Conditions Non-negotiable Employment Conditions are those conditions that a consumer and counselor have indicated must or must not be present in an employment placement.

Examples of non-negotiable conditions include, but are not limited to: The job needs to be on a particular bus route. The consumer must earn a certain dollar amount per hour. The consumer must work at least 15 but no more than 20 hours per week. The job must not require duties the consumer is unwilling to perform. The worksite must allow for an onsite job coach.

Employment First Policy Employment First Policies come in various forms — legislation, executive orders or state plans. CoP participants benefit from national subject matter experts SMEs presenting information and resources to support Employment First efforts. The LEAD Center - The National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities LEAD brings together a range of organizations, thought leaders and best-practice innovators to expand policy, employment, leadership and economic advancement opportunities and outcomes for all people with disabilities.

It has created numerous webinars and tools that discuss CIE. A blended approach of top-down systems-change strategies, combined with community-based capacity building activities initiated by key stakeholders, is critical to the successful implementation of an Employment First strategic framework.

Rate Reimbursement Restructuring Rate reimbursement restructuring requires states to determine which employment services they incentivize and which they do not. Lisa Mills, a Medicaid expert, this guide provides examples of best practices as states determine their Medicaid service rates.

The guide tells stories of strategies states used to enact rates that incentivize services that lead to CIE. Along with the guide, ODEP hosted a three-part webinar series highlighting key components from the guide with examples from states and state systems.

Medicaid Buy-In is an optional Medicaid eligibility group that allows workers with disabilities with income above traditional limits to access Medicaid community-based services. Capacity Building The ACICIEID final report defines capacity building as creating policy and funding priorities that promote CIE along with community agencies with skilled personnel to deliver supported and customized employment to individuals with disabilities.

Recent Funding Opportunities to Expand Access to Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities [PDF] - This fact sheet highlights funding opportunities for increasing access to CIE for youth and adults with disabilities in support of their desire to live and work in integrated settings in their communities.

Most Integrated Employment Setting - State Self-Assessment - This tool helps Governors and State Administrations understand and voluntarily meet their obligations to provide publicly-funded employment and non-work day services to persons with disabilities. Interagency Coordination Interagency coordination means that state agencies and other partners serving people with disabilities work together seamlessly. DSUs may expend their resources, including program funds, on supporting individuals in customized employment when appropriate…and must lead to competitive integrated employment.

Supported employment services means ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, in supported employment that are:.

Supported employment services are also addresses under "Extended Services for Youth with Disabilities" as follows:. EXAMPLE 4: Bob is a youth with a most significant disability who has been placed in a job in an integrated setting at a subminimum wage that is individualized and customized for him that is consistent with his strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice but he reasonably anticipates achieving competitive integrated employment within six months.

He has completed up to 24 months of supported employment services; has transitioned to extended services provided by the VR agency; has been stable for a minimum of 90 days after transitioning to extended services and is receiving VR services funded under VR program funds while working on a short-term basis toward competitive integrated employment.

Bob is continuing to receive extended services funded under the Supported Employment program or the VR program and VR services during the short-term basis from the VR agency with VR program funds. The service record must also be closed if Bob does not achieve competitive integrated employment within the short-term basis period and, in such a case, extended services should be coordinated with another extended services provider. If an individual with a most significant disability does not achieve competitive wages during the short-term basis period, the service record will be closed, and he or she will have achieved a supported employment outcome working on a short-term basis.

Because the individual has not achieved competitive wages and is continuing to work at a subminimum wage, he or she will be subject to the requirements of section of the Act, related to limitations on the use of subminimum wage. At any time, the individual may also reapply for the VR program if he or she intends to seek competitive integrated employment.

After placement, he or she may receive supported employment services to assist in achieving a supported employment outcome. Similarly, for an individual with a most significant disability who has achieved a supported employment outcome and subsequently loses his or her employment, prior to closure of the service record, the individual may receive VR services that will assist in finding another placement, after which additional supported employment services may be provided to enable him or her to achieve a supported employment outcome.

For an individual with a most significant disability who has lost a job following the achievement of an employment outcome and whose service record has been closed, he or she may apply to the VR agency for services again. Search for:. Toggle navigation U. Student Loans Grants Laws Data. Funding Status.