Goals and Plans for Distribution of Title VI, Part B Funds (Supported Employment): Attachment 4.11(c)(4)

Federal Title VI, Part B funds for supported employment services were initially used to develop model programs to determine the most effective structure for supported employment and to determine what types of services and supports work best with different populations. However, Title VI, Part B resources do not provide sufficient funds to create additional new programs. For FFY 2006, VESID’s total supported employment funding was $40 million of which $1,871,781 was Title VI, Part B funds. At present, Title VI, Part B funds represent less than five percent of the total funds VESID uses for intensive supported employment services. VESID will continue the operation of the projects established under Title VI, Part B support. Title VI, Part B funds will continue to be used to supplement, but not supplant, Title I funds.

Supported Employment Programs

VESID issued a request for proposals (RFP) for all intensive supported employment services and for all VESID-funded extended services in the fall of 2003. New contracts were effective July 1, 2004. Those contracts entered the third year of a planned five-year cycle on July 1, 2006. VESID now has 181 supported employment contracts compared to 130 in the past. Many of the new contract providers represent previously underserved populations. This year’s contracts are extended to 15 months in order to allow VESID to assess how well the supported employment payment and structure is working to meet the needs of individuals with the most significant disabilities. A revised RFP for supported employment services may be issued prior to the end of the contract cycle to improve the payment and reporting structure.

Through the authority of Chapter 515, of the NYS Laws of 1992, VESID is assigned the responsibility for administering, establishing standards and monitoring the intensive service component of all supported employment programs in New York State. VESID also has the responsibility for the provision of extended service to individuals who are not eligible for such service through other sources.

VESID has revised the Provider Guidelines for Supported Employment (http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/supportedemployment/seguidelines0307.htm). These guidelines were revised based on the new contracts with the involvement of community rehabilitation programs, state agency partners and consumer organizations. The revised guidelines establish a common basis for accepted practice and procedures for supported employment. They are intended to facilitate quality service delivery. VESID is renewing cooperation with the State partners - Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), and Office of Mental Health (OMH) – through periodic meetings to address concerns regarding the supported employment program.

VESID combines Title VI, Part B and Section 110 funds to provide supported employment services to individuals with the most significant disabilities. The range of individuals with disabilities served through supported employment services includes individuals with all types of disabilities within those served by VESID and the CBVH. VESID maintains agreements (Memoranda of Understanding and Integrated Employment Implementation Plan, Chapter 515 of the Laws of 1992) with OMRDD, OMH, and CBVH, which define VESID as the sole source for intensive funding. Program evaluation includes review of data from interagency quarterly reports as well as on-site reviews, including consumer interviews. Successful and exemplary practices have been disseminated to the staff of the State agencies involved and to other project sites.

Supported Employment Goals and Priorities

VESID’s Title VI, Part B program goals are to:

provide services to individuals with the most significant disabilities who might not be traditionally considered appropriate for competitive employment;
develop techniques for unserved and underserved populations, such as persons with traumatic brain injuries, deafness, multiple disabilities, autism, significant learning disabilities and severe and persistent mental illness;
develop quality programs that could be used for replication purposes; and
establish successful supported employment programs that will provide technical assistance to other programs.

Providers’ performance and costs are reviewed at least annually. Service re-negotiations occur based on overall performance, including performance on projected outcomes agreed to by VESID and the provider.

In addition, VESID issued a request for proposals (RFP) in 2004 for the provision of a statewide supported employment needs assessment (see Comprehensive Needs Assessment, Attachment 4.12(a) for more information). The contract was awarded to the SUNY-Buffalo Research Foundation. The results of this needs assessment were received in July, 2006 and will be utilized as the basis for a statewide RFP to provide the actual training to providers and VESID staff. This new training RFP will permit VESID to meet identified and unmet training needs for supported employment across the State.

VESID VRC’s manage the individual program of each consumer participating in intensive supportive employment. This includes developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and monitoring its implementation. The programs funded under Title VI, Part B represent previously underserved individuals. Every effort is made to improve the project's performance through continuing technical assistance and service delivery improvements.