The NYS Interagency Council for Vocational Rehabilitation and Related Services has directed that regulatory and monitoring guidelines developed for vocational rehabilitation should reflect the Principles and Operating Guidelines for Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Employment (April, 1991). These are based on the precepts that:
Principle 6.2 mandates that “guidelines for quality services should be issued which emphasize high standards to be attained.”
The criteria for evaluating quality in the supported employment context have been developed in consultation with State agencies, providers, consumers, families, advocates and employers, and represent the contributions of these various interests. Four major constructs were identified from a literature review as critical elements for successful program implementation: commitment, program structure, practice, and outcome. Statements of major quality indicators were then developed for each construct as related to the Principles and Operating Guidelines. In some cases, several Principles are addressed by a single indicator. The draft was circulated for comment and recommendations for change were incorporated.
Emphasis is placed on how one would recognize a good supported employment program when seeing it. The distinction is made that a community program’s delivery of quality services is not necessarily the same as that program’s compliance with regulations, contract performance goals, and other issues of compliance related to reporting on quantity of people served and cost of services.
These Quality Indicators are required as a self-evaluation tool for community agencies in developing and providing supported employment services. Through an annual process of re-examination, service programs are expected to comprehensively review performance against the expectations that are specified, and to examine accomplishments not only as self-perceived but as perceived by consumers and employers as well.
This process being undertaken by providers parallels changes occurring at the State level. In addition to each provider identifying what changes are needed and how these can be creatively accomplished at the local level, the results of the self-evaluations will assist the State in clearly identifying the overriding programmatic and fiscal issues which also need to be addressed.