VR-SFP Chapter 25: Supported Employment Services (Ch 18 Legacy Model)

VR Supported Employment (SE) is a comprehensive service package for VR customers.

VR SE enables customers with the most significant disabilities to enter competitive integrated employment by:

• providing individualized assistance in finding an appropriate job match;
• providing ongoing support services; and
• establishing extended services, sometimes called long-term supports, for the customer to maintain a long-term competitive integrated employment outcome by:
  • identifying resources to deliver the extended services;
  • training extended services providers;
  • confirming that extended services are in place, if needed, to make sure the job is stable; and
  • ensuring all known needs are met before achievement of SE Benchmark 6, Service Closure.

Refer to VRSM C-1201: Legal Authorization for the definition of competitive integrated employment.

Before paying for VR services, the VR counselor will ensure that the customer is placed in competitive integrated employment. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) emphasizes the term "work unit" in the definition of competitive integrated employment. A work unit may refer to all employees in a job category or to a group of employees working together, depending on the employer's organizational structure (Federal Register Vol.81, at 55643). Individuals with disabilities experience differing levels of integration in various work environments, and those levels are dependent on the circumstances of the job within each work unit of an organization. Therefore, some jobs are considered to be in "integrated locations," and thus satisfy the definition of "competitive integrated employment," while others do not. If an individual with disabilities is placed with an employer that complies with a mandated direct labor-hour ratio of persons with disabilities, before benchmark payments are made, VR staff must complete a competitive integrated employment checklist to determine whether the employment is competitive integrated employment.

The VR Supported Employment Outcome-Based System uses the "Place, Then Train" model of employment placement to place customers in a job and then train them in order to help them find and keep long-term competitive integrated employment.

By being matched to a job first and then receiving ongoing supports and training, the customer develops job-readiness skills while on the job. An employer who hires a VR customer is expected to provide the same training to the VR customer as the employer would provide to other new employees, with help and support from the VR counselor and the SE specialist.

Customized employment practices develop the best job match for the customer using flexible strategies to meet the individual's needs and the employer's unmet business needs. These practices address the unique skills, interests, abilities, capabilities, and support needs of an individual with a most significant disability. Many times, jobs must be created and/or designed with flexible strategies to allow for a suitable job match.

SE services may be used for customers with any type of disability, but a customer must:

• have a most significant disability (three or more functional limitations);
• require individualized assistance in finding an appropriate job match;
• require ongoing supports to learn the job and establish accommodations; and
• require extended services (long-term supports) to maintain the employment after VR closes the case.

A VR counselor may purchase SE when the customer has a most significant disability and:

• will benefit from the Place, Then Train model of job placement;
• needs extensive comprehensive training and support to compete in the labor market;
• needs ongoing supports to maintain an employment outcome;
• requires considerable help competing in the open job market;
• has not had competitive integrated employment or has experienced interrupted or intermittent employment; or
• is likely to be able to find and keep a competitive integrated job when necessary supports are in place.

Benchmark outcome payments are made when the provider achieves the outcomes required for each benchmark. Each benchmark is paid only once for each customer between Active Status (customer has an IPE) and Closure Status of a VR case.

Any request to change any Supported Employment Service Definition, Process and Procedure, or Outcomes Required for Payment must be documented and approved by the VR director, using the VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request for Job Placement, Job Skills Training, and Supported Employment Services, before the change is implemented. For more information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.2 Evaluation of Service Delivery.

The customer's job must:

• be full-time or part-time based on customer choice;
• exist in a competitive, integrated work setting; and
• be permanent, not seasonal.

If a business hires a customer in a temp-to-hire position, the job is acceptable if not considered short-term or project specific employment that will end upon completion of the project. A customer can be employed by a third party such as a temp agency when this is a prerequisite for continued employment after the probationary period ends. Pro re nata (PRN) or "as needed" employment is allowed, as long as the customer can achieve all employment conditions outlined on the VR1642. VR will not accept seasonal employment placements, unless approved by the VR Director using the VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request form. Seasonal employment pertains to labor performed at certain seasons or periods of the year and which may not be continuous or carried out throughout the year.

VR pays for Supported Employment only if the customer is placed with an organization or business that is not owned, operated, controlled, or governed by the service provider providing the job placement service. Service providers that are state agencies, state universities, or facilities that are a part of a state university system are exempt from this requirement.

When a customer obtains a new position with the current employer or begins a new job with another employer, an updated VR1643, Supported Employment Services Plan 2, Placement, Job Analysis, & Training Plan (SESP-2) must be submitted to reflect the new position.

SE services may not exceed 24 months. Services may be extended if the customer needs additional time to reach job stabilization. VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request for Job Placement, Job Skills Training, and Supported Employment Services must be completed and submitted for approval if a customer's SE services will be provided for longer than 24 months. If an extension is granted, the SE provider receives a copy of the approved VR3472, and the VR counselor issues a new service authorization and sends it to the provider. The VR counselor and the customer must agree to extend services and document the approved extension in the customer's individualized plan for employment (IPE).

SE services must include ongoing support services, such as:

• social skills training;
• job skills training;
• observation of customer performance;
• setting up or training individuals who are the customer's natural supports or extended service providers; and
• setting up accommodations at the work site.

Ongoing support services must be provided in person at least twice monthly to monitor the customer at the work site and/or, as necessary, off-site to ensure the customer maintains successful competitive integrated employment. If under specific circumstances, especially at the request of the customer and with approval from the VR counselor, the required monitoring meetings may take place off-site and must occur at least twice monthly. If off-site monitoring is determined to be appropriate, at least one contact with the employer each month is required.

The following VR services may not be purchased while a customer is receiving SE services from an Employment Services Provider:

• Job Development
• Bundled Job Placement
• Job Skills Training
• Non-bundled Job Placement
• On-the-Job Training (OJT)
• Personal Social Adjustment Training (PSAT)
• Vocational Adjustment Training (VAT)
• Environmental Work Assessment
• Vocational Evaluation
• Work Adjustment Training (WAT)
• Work Experience Services (WE)

18.3.1 Referral for Supported Employment Services

The VR counselor completes the VR1640, Referral for Supported Employment Services, and submits it to the provider. The VR counselor may include pertinent information with the referral, including, but not limited to, a copy of the IPE, medical and/or psychological reports, vocational testing, and case notes. The VR counselor is responsible for overseeing the SE services provided to VR customers.

The SE provider must receive a:

• VR1640, Referral for Supported Employment Services; and
• service authorization with active service dates for the benchmark.

18.3.2 Forms

All the required VR forms for SE services must be:

• completed on a computer;
• completed thoroughly and correctly;
• clearly documented;
• unique and individualized for each customer for whom a report is being completed; and
• signed by all required parties. (Note: The SE specialist and/or job skills trainer who provided the services must sign the form.)

The VR1642, Supported Employment Services Plan – 1 (SESP-1), must be completed by VR staff in the Supported Employment Service Plan meeting and approved by the customer and VR counselor before job placement. Any meeting between the customer, provider, customer’s circle of supports, and VR staff may be conducted remotely. For more information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.1 Remote Service Delivery.

18.3.3 Signatures on Forms

The customer's satisfaction and service delivery as described in the VR-SFP can be verified by the customer's signature on the Supported Employment forms or by VR staff contact with the customer. For information on signatures refer to VR-SFP 3.11.1 Documentation and Signatures.

Before signing a form, the provider reviews the applicable standards and the VR verification section of each form to ensure the report is complete and accurate before submission. If VR verification indicates the provider submitted inaccurate information, repayment of funds might be required.

18.3.4 Invoices

The following are required when a provider submits an invoice:

• Completion of services, achieving all required deliverables
• Fully complete, accurate, signed, and dated forms documenting services provided
• A complete and accurate invoice

The date on which a benchmark is achieved is the date of service on the invoice (for example, the date of the Supported Employment Assessment (SEA) meeting; the date that the SESP-1 is completed; the fifth, 28th, and 56th day or shift of paid employment; the date of the job stability meeting; and the 90th day after stability is achieved). The billing documentation must not be submitted until the day after achieving the service benchmark.

If at any point the customer loses his or her job, the customer's progression within the benchmark is frozen until:

• the VR counselor, the customer, and the SE specialist meet in an SESP-1 meeting to:
  • discuss the reasons the customer lost the job;
  • review the SESP-1 and create a new SESP-1, if necessary; and
  • determine the plan for finding another placement;
• the customer becomes reemployed in a new position; and
• a new SESP-2 is completed to reflect the new position.

If an invoice is incomplete or inaccurate, or if supporting documentation is incomplete or inaccurate, the provider will receive a VR3460, Vendor Invoice Additional Data Request. Payment will not be made until corrections are submitted.

Each benchmark is authorized only once per customer, unless VR determines it is in the customer's best interest to authorize a benchmark more than once. Any change to the benchmarks must be approved using the VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request.

18.3.5 Benchmarks for Supported Employment

VR SE includes the following benchmarks and components required for payment to providers:

• Benchmark 1A: Supported Employment Assessment (SEA) and SEA Review Meeting
• Benchmark 1B: Supported Employment Service Plan – 1
• Benchmark 2: Job Placement and completion of five days or shifts worked and Supported Employment Service Plan – 2
• Benchmark 3: 28 days (four weeks) of job maintenance
• Benchmark 4: 56 days (eight weeks) of job maintenance
• Benchmark 5: Job Stability
  • At least 56 days of employment
  • Completion of the job stability meeting
• Benchmark 6: Service Closure
  • 146 cumulative days of employment
  • 90 cumulative days after achievement of Benchmark 5: Job Stability

18.3.6 Premiums

When authorized, the following premiums must have a service authorization issued with the service authorization for Benchmark 1A and are invoiced at Benchmark 1B:

• Autism
• Deaf

When authorized, the following premiums must have a service authorization issued with the service authorizations for Benchmarks 2–6 and are invoiced after achievement of Benchmark 6:

• Autism
• Criminal Background
• Deaf
• Professional Placement
• Wage

18.3.7 Other Changes That Might Occur

Before the completion of Benchmark 5: Job Stability, if the customer does not meet the nonnegotiable employment conditions on the SESP-1 within the workweek, the customer's progression within the benchmark is frozen until the customer returns to work and meets the nonnegotiable employment conditions outlined in the SESP-1.

If, at any point, the customer wants to change his or her targeted job tasks, negotiable employment conditions, or nonnegotiable employment conditions, an SESP-1 meeting must be held to update the VR1642, Supported Employment Services Plan - 1 (SESP-1). The Supported Employment Assessment (SEA) Review, SESP, and Job Stability meetings may be conducted remotely. For additional information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.1 Remote Service Delivery.

If the customer obtains a new position with the current employer or begins a new job with another employer, the customer must complete at least 30 cumulative days of employment in the new job before Benchmark 5 is established or reestablished.

18.3.8 Extended Services

Extended Services assist customers in maintaining long-term employment after intensive ongoing supports and training have achieved stabilization of the customer's employment. Extended Services can be provided either at the employment site or off-site when necessary to maintain employment. Examples of Extended Services include, but are not limited to:

• job skills training to assist with development of soft and hard skills to ensure the customer is meeting the expectation of the employer;
• transportation;
• Social Security income reporting;
• medication management;
• assistance with dressing or toileting; and/or
• managing the customer's work schedule.

VR counselors coordinate the provision of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) funding for long-term support services. HHSC-contracted providers may provide Extended Services for a customer at achievement of Benchmark 5: Job Stability, through Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), Community First Choice (CFC), Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Home and Community-Based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) and STAR+PLUS and STAR Kids waivers. The Supported Employment Specialist coordinates with and trains all Extended Service providers before a case achieves Benchmark 5: Job Stability.

Youth with Disabilities

VR can provide Extended Services to VR customers who are youth with disabilities for up to four years or until the youth reaches age of 25 and no longer meets the definition of a "youth with a disability," whichever occurs first. See the glossary for the definition of "youth with disabilities."

Job Skills Training is how TWS-VR purchases Extended Service for a customer when all other available resources for Extended Services, such as Medicaid Waiver Programs, natural supports, other public agencies, and/or private nonprofit organizations are not available to the customer. 

For information on how Job Skills Training can be used as an Extended Service, refer to VR-SFP Chapter 17, section 17.5.1.1 Purchasing Job Skills Training for Extended Services for Youth with Disabilities.

18.5.1 Service Description

SEA information and recommendations are used to develop the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1) .

The SESP-1 is used to identify:

• preferences and interests;
• assets and abilities;
• employment conditions;
• job tasks; and
• extended services (long-term supports).

Any meetings related to the Supported Employment Service Plan between the customer, provider, customer’s circle of supports and VR staff may be conducted remotely. For more information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.1 Remote Service Delivery.

18.5.2 Process and Procedure

The VR counselor, SE specialist, customer, customer's circle of support, and identified extended support providers meet to develop and complete the VR1642.

Benchmark 1B is met by attending the SESP-1 meeting and signing the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1), after it is completed by VR staff at the SESP-1 meeting.

The VR1642 identifies the:

• members of the SESP team;
• customer's preferences and interests;
• customer's assets and abilities;
• negotiable and nonnegotiable employment conditions;
• targeted job tasks the customer can perform or potentially perform;
• potential extended services and support needs; and
• eligible premium services.

VR staff completes the VR1642 during the SESP-1 meeting. This meeting may be conducted remotely. For information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.1 Remote Service Delivery. The provider must not bring a completed VR1642 to the meeting or complete the VR1642 after the meeting. The customer leads the meeting with assistance from the team. All attendees must sign the VR1642 to complete the SESP-1 at the end of the meeting, indicating their agreement with the plan. For information on acceptable signatures, refer to VR-SFP 3.11.1 Documentation and Signatures.

The VR1642 must be:

• completed electronically;
• completed before any SE placement services are provided to the customer;
• team-developed with the customer's participation in identifying (with or without assistance from team members) the required information; and
• printed by VR staff upon completion.

When necessary, an updated VR1642 is completed during a new meeting with the VR counselor, provider, customer, and customer's representative, if applicable, before the achievement of any benchmark.

18.5.3 Outcomes Required for Payment

Payment for Benchmark 1B is made after the SESP-1 meeting and after the VR counselor receives and approves a complete, accurate, signed, initialed, and dated:

• VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1), and
• an invoice.

The VR1642, which must be filled out initially by VR staff, must then be submitted by the provider back to VR after the SESP-1 meeting, with the provider's credentials, signature, and invoice. The VR1642 must include:

• entries to indicate each employment condition is written in measurable terms and determined to be either negotiable or nonnegotiable;
• entries of at least three targeted job tasks;
• potential natural and paid extended services and related resources identified;
• entries to indicate any premiums for which the customer's case is eligible; and
• required signatures, including, at a minimum, the signatures of the customer, VR counselor, and SE specialist.

For information on acceptable signatures refer to VR-SFP 3.11.1 Documentation and Signatures.

The VR1642 indicates whether the provider is eligible for any Employment Premium Service payments as approved by the VR counselor. A service authorization is required before any services are provided, including premiums; therefore, any premiums that would be paid at Benchmark 6 must be included with the service authorizations for Benchmarks 2–6.   

For additional information on Employment Premium Services, see VR-SFP Chapter 20: Premiums.

For information about fees, see 18.11 Supported Employment Fee Schedule.

18.7.1 Benchmark 3 Service Description

The customer achieves Benchmark 3, Four-Week Job Maintenance, when the customer:

• is employed by the employer listed on the most recent VR1643, Supported Employment Services Plan 2, Placement, Job Analysis, & Training Plan; and
• has achieved 28 cumulative days of employment.

The job must be consistent with the requirements of the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1) including:

• the requirement that 100 percent of nonnegotiable conditions and at least 50 percent of negotiable conditions must be met; and
• the requirement that at least one job task listed on the VR1642 is met.

The Supported Employment Specialist must have a minimum of two in-person visits with the customer at or away from the job site and one contact with the employer to monitor the employer's satisfaction with the customer's performance during the benchmark period, and address:

• training related to disability issues;
• training to assist the customer to meet the employer's expectations; and
• training of extended service providers.

Any request to change a Supported Employment Service Description, Process and Procedure, or Outcomes Required for Payment must be documented and approved by the VR director, using the VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request for Job Placement, Job Skills Training, and Supported Employment Services, before the change is implemented. The approved VR3472 must be maintained in the provider’s customer case file. For more information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.2 Evaluation of Service Delivery.

To complete Benchmark 3, the SE specialist:

• must have at least two in-person visits at or away from the job site with the customer and one contact with the employer during the 28 days of the benchmark period to monitor the employer's satisfaction with the customer's performance and the customer's satisfaction with the job;
• provides or arranges for a job skills trainer to provide intensive on- and off-job site supports, as described in VR1643 and/or VR1645, Supported Employment Training and Progress Report, during the benchmark period;
• who provided the services and supports or who supervises the assigned job skills trainer completes the VR1645; when a job skills trainer is used with a customer, the trainer may complete the job skills training sections of the VR1645 and sign the report; and
• completes the VR1644, Supported Employment Services, Time Tracking Log.

When necessary, the VR1642 must be updated with changes to employment or job skills by means of a new SESP-1 meeting before the count of days of the benchmark period can begin or resume. For more information, see the policy in 18.5 Benchmark 1B: Supported Employment Services Plan Part 1.

18.7.2 Process and Procedure

To achieve Benchmark 3, the SE specialist completes the VR1645, Supported Employment Training and Progress Report , which describes:

• the goals necessary to assist the customer with maintaining competitive integrated employment; and
• the training and supports that were provided to or ordered for the customer by the SE specialist, job skills trainer, employer, individuals providing other natural supports, and extended service providers.

Job skills training goals and other activities that help the customer adjust to the demands of the competitive integrated work environment include:

• intensive on- and off-jobsite supports provided by the SE specialist or job skills trainer;
• ensuring that extended services are documented and approved on the customer's Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Plan of Care when funded by other state agency programs;
• orienting and training the customer in work-related tasks at the jobsite;
• training or consulting with employers, coworkers, or advocates to maximize natural supports;
• establishing and training the extended service providers;
• transportation training;
• establishing or ensuring primary and secondary transportation plans to and from the job are in place for the customer;
• meeting with managers and supervisors to gather input and plan training;
• meeting with company personnel or support system individuals to resolve problems and ensure job retention; and
• systematic training methods to train the customer in work-related tasks or behaviors to ensure job retention (for example, grooming or anger management).

18.7.3 Benchmark 3 Outcomes Required for Payment

Payment for Benchmark 3 is made when the VR counselor approves a complete, accurate, and signed:

• VR1645, Supported Employment Training and Progress Report for the 28th cumulative day of employment listing the progress and/or achievement of the identified goals; a minimum of two in-person visits with the customer at or away from the job site; services provided; employer contacts; identified extended services; and average number of hours worked by the customer, including signatures that confirm the customer has met:
  • 100 percent of nonnegotiable employment conditions;
  • at least 50 percent or more of negotiable employment conditions; and
  • at least one targeted job task listed on the current VR1642, Supported Employment Services Plan 1;
• VR1644, Supported Employment Services, Time Tracking Log; and
• invoice.

The customer must maintain employment for 28 cumulative days without a seven-day or greater break within a workweek that is consistent with the requirements of the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1, that 100 percent of the nonnegotiable requirements and at least 50 percent of the negotiable requirements were met, and at least one job task listed on the VR1642 was met.

The SE specialist monitors, arranges, and/or provides:

• short-term supports;
• long-term supports;
• training; and
• accommodations.

The SE specialist submits a fully complete, accurate, signed, and dated VR1645 that has been completed on a computer and collects all signatures. For information on acceptable signatures refer to VR-SFP 3.11.1 Documentation and Signatures.

The completed VR1645 describes the customer's identified goals and the training supports and accommodations used to assist the customer in maintaining competitive integrated employment. The SE specialist and/or the job skills trainer documents the goals and focus areas in descriptive terms. Goals and focus areas may include, but are not limited to:

• challenges the customer encountered while meeting the employer's expectations;
• training, strategies, support needs, and accommodations that were identified in the VR1643, Supported Employment Services Plan 2, Placement, Job Analysis, & Training Plan (SESP-2) and were addressed during the benchmark reporting period;
• plans to address outstanding training, supports, and accommodation needs before job stability;
• the SE specialist's and the job skills trainer's roles in the setup, delivery, or monitoring of services designed to help the customer meet the employer's expectations;
• the customer's and, if applicable, the customer's legal representative's level of satisfaction with the job and the work environment and service delivery as described in the VR-SFP can be verified through either a signature on the VR1645, or a VR staff member's contact with the customer;
• the training the employer provided for the customer; and
• verification of customer employment for four weeks (28 cumulative days), working at least one day in each week and without a break of a full workweek ("workweek" as defined by the employer) for reasons such as illness, injury, vacation, or short-term disability.

The VR1645 also must document that the supported employment specialist met the customer in person at or away from the job site a minimum of two times and made one contact with the employer to monitor the employer's satisfaction with the customer's performance during the benchmark period.

The SE specialist records the customer's status at the 28th cumulative day of employment on the VR1645, listing any identified extended services. The VR1644 indicates the dates and hours worked and is completed by the SE specialist.

The information documented in the VR1645 must be unique and individualized for each customer. VR contacts the customer, the customer's representative (if applicable), or employer to verify the information in the VR1644 and VR1645 is accurate.

18.7.4 Fees

For information about fees, see 18.11 Supported Employment Fee Schedule.

18.9.1 Benchmark 5 Service Description

Benchmark 5 is achieved when the customer:

• maintains employment for 56 days or more;
• meets 100 percent of the nonnegotiable conditions on the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1);
• meets at least 50 percent or more of the negotiable conditions on the VR1642;
• performs at least one job task on the VR1642;
• meets or exceeds the employer's performance expectations;
• has in place all Extended Services and supports, as identified on the VR1646, such as Supported Employment Services, Job Stability Report, or that have emerged, such as:
  • the customer's LTSS; or
  • alternate funding, agencies, or individuals established to provide Extended Services for the customer; and
• attends a job stability meeting with the customer, his/her representative, if any, the SE, and VR counselor, and all agree the customer has achieved job stability. Extended service providers are invited to attend, but their attendance is not mandatory.

A Job Stability meeting between the customer, provider, customer’s circle of supports and VR staff may be conducted remotely.

The Supported Employment Specialist must have a minimum of two in-person visits with the customer at or away from the job site and one contact with the employer to monitor the employer's satisfaction with the customer's performance every 28 days until Job Stability is achieved, and address:

• training related to disability issues;
• training to assist the customer to meet the employer's expectations; and
• training of extended service providers.

Any request to change a Supported Employment Service Description, Process and Procedure, or Outcomes Required for Payment must be documented and approved by the VR director, using the VR3472, Contracted Service Modification Request for Job Placement, Job Skills Training, and Supported Employment Services, before the change is implemented. The approved VR3472 must be maintained in the provider’s customer case file. For more information, refer to VR-SFP 3.6.4.2 Evaluation of Service Delivery.

The Extended Services and long-term supports identified on the VR1646, Supported Employment Services, Job Stability Report, must be in place and working effectively before the VR counselor can determine whether the customer is stable in the job.

The employment service provider providing the Extended Services sponsored by TWC-VR for youth with disabilities must be identified on VR1646 as an Extended Services provider.

The customer must achieve Supported Employment Job Stability status before VR can purchase Job Skills Training for Extended Services. Extended Services may be purchased simultaneously with the Supported Employment Benchmark 6: Case Closure. 

If the customer finds a new position, a new job, or requires additional supports from the SE specialist or job skills trainer, at least 30 cumulative days of employment must occur before job stability is reestablished.

18.9.2 Process and Procedure

Before job stability can be achieved, the SE specialist or job skills trainer must continue to provide on- and off-jobsite supports until extended services and long-term supports are being provided by the employer, natural supports, or extended service providers. The SE specialist must monitor the extended services and supports, as outlined in the VR1646, Supported Employment Services, Job Stability Report, to verify the supports are effective and to ensure the customer can maintain successful long-term competitive integrated employment.

The VR counselor makes the final decision in determining job stability status. A case is considered "job stable" once the job stability date is established in a job stability meeting.

If the customer does not work for seven or more days of the workweek after the achievement of Benchmark 5: Job Stability, a new job stability date must be established in a job stability meeting.

18.9.3 Benchmark 5 Outcomes Required for Payment

Payment for Benchmark 5 is made when the VR counselor approves a complete, accurate, and signed:

• VR1646, Supported Employment Services, Job Stability Report indicating a job stability meeting has occurred with the VR counselor, the customer, customer's representative (if applicable), and the SE specialist, with all in agreement that the customer is job stable;
• VR1644, Supported Employment Services, Time Tracking Log; and
• invoice.

The customer must maintain employment for a minimum of 56 cumulative days, without a break of seven days or more and consistent with the requirements of the VR1642, Supported Employment Service Plan – 1 (SESP-1):100 percent of nonnegotiable employment conditions were met, at least 50 percent of negotiable employment conditions were met, and at least one job task listed on the VR1642 was accomplished.

The SE specialist must:

• have a minimum of two in-person visits at or away from the job site with the customer each month during the job stability period to monitor the customer's extended services, natural supports, and employment status;
• have a minimum of one contact with the employer each month to monitor the employer's satisfaction with the customer's performance during the benchmark period; and
• monitor extended service providers to ensure the customer maintains the competitive integrated employment with the supports, training, and accommodations listed in the VR1646.

Neither the SE specialist nor the job skills trainer may provide the long-term support needs, training needs, and/or accommodations, unless funding from a source other than VR is secured.

The SE specialist submits a fully complete, accurate, signed, and dated VR1646 that has been completed electronically. For information on acceptable signatures refer to VR-SFP 3.11.1 Documentation and Signatures.

The completed form describes the customer's job placement, training supports, and accommodations.

The form must include:

• a description of the customer's job duties and ability to perform job duties, including whether the customer is meeting the employer's expectations;
• a list of modifications and/or accommodations necessary to enable the customer to meet the employer's expectations;
• a description of the customer's transportation plan to get to and from work, with a backup transportation plan in place;
• documentation that the extended services and natural supports identified on the VR1646 are operational;
• identification of long-term support providers, extended services providers, and natural supports;
• information about the frequency and method long-term support providers, extended service providers, and/or natural supports will use to monitor the customer's progress and any employer concerns; and
• verification by the SE specialist that the:
  • customer's accommodation needs are documented with the employer;
  • customer has primary and secondary transportation plans to get to and from work;
  • customer is working in a competitive integrated work environment;
  • customer is compensated at or above the minimum wage and not less than the customary wage paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals who do not have disabilities; and
  • customer is employed for at least eight weeks (56 cumulative days), working at least one day in each week and without a break for a full workweek ("workweek" as defined by the employer) for reasons such as illness, injury, vacation, and short-term disability, before the customer is determined to be job stable.
• the customer's and, if applicable, the customer's representative’s level of satisfaction with the job, work environment, and service delivery as described in VR-SFP Extended Services can be verified through either a signature on the VR1646, or VR staff member's contact with the customer.

If the customer gains a new position or new job, a minimum of 30 cumulative days of employment is required before the customer is eligible to be determined job stable.

The SE specialist records the customer's status of employment on the VR1646, listing all identified extended services (the customer's Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and Services Plan of Care for other state agencies have been establish or alternate funding, agencies, or people have been established to provide all extended services for the customer), after the VR counselor determines Job Stability. The SE specialist also completes VR1644, Supported Employment Services, Time Tracking Log, indicating the dates and hours worked. The information documented in the VR1646 must be unique and individualized for each customer. VR may contact the customer, customer's representative, or employer to verify that the VR1644 and VR1646 information is accurate.

18.9.4 Fees

For information about fees, see 18.11 Supported Employment Fee Schedule.

Premium Services may be available for Supported Employment Services. Premium Services are paid after all deliverables for the service have been made. For more information, refer to Chapter 20: Premiums.