Supported Employment in State Government Programs and WIOA Implementation
Discover how state government agencies like the Office of the Governor and Department of Social and Health Services participate in Supported Employment in State Government programs. Learn about examples of SESG employees working remotely and the impact of WIOA regulations on Supported Employment. Understand the definition of Supported Employment under WIOA and the focus on Competitive Integrated Employment for individuals with disabilities.
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Supported Employment in State Government Program September 2, 2020
State Agencies with SESG positions Some examples of state agencies that participate in the Supported Employment in State Government (SESG) program: Office of the Governor Health Care Authority Department of Financial Institutions Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Aging and Long-Term Support Administration [ALTSA], Developmental Disabilities Administration [DDA], Division of Vocational Rehabilitation [DVR], Economic Services Administration [ESA]) Department of Children Youth and Families Department of Enterprise Services
Examples of SESG Employees Working Remotely DVR has an office assistant that is working remotely making appointment reminder calls for the office Business Specialist and does data entry for DVR Business Specialists in his region. Another DVR SESG employee makes new customer folders, creates intake packets, and prepares large mailing projects from home. DSHS ESA Division of Child Support: An Office Assistant 3 employee in one of their field offices answers and routes phone calls from her home.
Supported Employment and WIOA The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 made important changes to how Supported Employment is provided. SESG program procedural and HR guidance documents were updated as a result of WIOA and OFM s Supported Employment Survey of SESG program needs. SESG is employment for individuals with developmental disabilities and significant disabilities who require on the job training and long term support.
What is Supported Employment under WIOA? WIOA definition of Supported Employment (SE) is: Competitive integrated employment, including customized employment [or employment in an integrated work setting in which individuals are working on a short-term basis toward competitive integrated employment]; Employment that is individualized and customized consistent with the strengths, abilities, interests and informed choice of the individuals involved; and For individuals with the most significant disabilities.
Competitive Integrated Employment To satisfy the definition of competitive integrated employment, the employment must satisfy the requirements for all three components: Competitive earnings; Integrated Location; and Opportunities for advancement.
SESG Positions SESG positions offer the same wages and benefits as non-supported employment positions and can be either full time or part-time.
What are the benefits to employers for participating in SESG? SESG positions are not subject to the hiring freeze. People with disabilities make great employees. Supported employment positions do not count toward an agency s allotted full-time equivalent. Positions do count toward your hiring goals for people with disabilities.
What assistance does the SESG coordinator provide? SESG Program Coordinator typically assists a program as follows: Markets SESG to agency and consults with agency on how to support SESG employees; Identifies appropriate job duties and job classifications; Advises and supports agency in SESG recruitment; Can assist with screening and selection of candidates; Coaches agency on working with long term support providers; and Consults with agency about work accommodations for SESG employees.
Who provides the SESG employee s on the job training? On the job training (OJT) under the SESG program is: Training an employee receives at their job setting to achieve satisfactory performance of job responsibilities. OJT methods, scope, and provider will vary based on the needs of each employee. OJT can be provided by the employee s supervisor, a co-worker, or a contracted provider.
Who provides the SESG employee s long term support? Long term supports (LTS) are often funded by Medicaid and often provided by community-based employment services providers. LTS services are one on one services delivered at the work site or at another location, depending on the type of support the employee s needs. As a condition of employment, it is the employee s responsibility to secure and maintain LTS. LTS is provided to supplement regular supervision and assist the employee in learning and performing their job.
What are some examples of long term supports? Examples of LTS include, but are not limited to: A job coach A therapist, peer counselor, behavioral health supported employment provider or other behavioral health practitioner Natural supports
Who funds the long term support? Funding sources may include: Developmental Disabilities Supported Employment Providers (Medicaid) Behavioral Health Supported Employment Providers (Medicaid) Social Security Work Incentives Natural Support Self-pay by employee
What is the State Agency Responsible for? State Agency Establishing the SESG position; Managing the recruitment and selection process; and Managing the performance of the employee selected for a SESG position.
SESG Procedure Updates State Agency Establishes A SESG Position: Identifies need for position; Conducts job analysis; Creates job description using existing job classification Obtains internal approval; and Funding to establish a position. State Agency Recruits for the position.
SESG Procedure Updates State Agency Screens and Selects SESG Applicants: SESG Coordinator will assist with developing interview questions and may assist with screening. Each applicant brings his/her LTS as appropriate, to the interview to provide assistance and address support questions. After the interview as part of making the job offer, the candidate provides the employer with their written LTS plan.
SESG Procedure Updates Performance Management Once the State Agency has selected the candidate: Agency may ask for additional documentation to prove SESG eligibility. Supervisor follows their agency onboard process and performance management standards. Agency completes the hiring through HRMS, with NW Code, Supported Employment.
SESG Procedure Updates Performance Management Long Term Supports at Work The SESG employee s LTS begins from the first day of employment. Will continue with regularly-scheduled visits with the supervisor, employee, and others as appropriate to ensure that everyone is pleased with the situation. LTS provider remains a resource to the agency and the employee for the length of employee s employment.
SESG Procedure Updates Performance Management LTS Away from Work: If the SESG employee s LTS are provided in the community (therapist, certified peer counselor, behavioral health SE provider, other behavior health treatment practitioner supports begin from the first day and continues with regular visits with the employee away from the workplace. LTS plan continues to be a resource for the supervisor and the SESG employee for the length of their employment. The plan is used for annual verification for SESG eligibility.
SESG Procedure Updates Performance Management If changes to a SESG employee s long term support (e.g. loss of long term support, etc.): SESG employee and/or employer may contact the DVR SESG Coordinator for assistance. SESG Coordinator will provide other possible resources for support.
SESG Procedure Updates Performance Management LTS is not the responsibility of the agency and is not considered a reasonable accommodation that the agency is responsible for. Other forms of reasonable accommodation must be provided in accordance with the agency s reasonable accommodation policy.
Questions? Contact: Katie Mirkovich, MA, CRC DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Supported Employment Program Manager SESG Program Coordinator Katie.Mirkovich@dshs.wa.gov 360-584-6135 (Mobile) VR services are provided by State and Federal VR Funds. The VR program typically receives 78% in Federal funds and 22% in State funds. For detailed information on the dollar amount of Federal funds for the program, please visit https://rsa.ed.gov/programs.cfm?pc=basic-vr&sub=awards
Survey Please complete the following questions: 1. Does your agency participate in the SESG program now? Yes or No 2. 3. Would your agency like to participate? Yes or No If your agency does not participate what could the SESG Program Coordinator do to assist your agency? A. Provide information about the SESG program to your Executive Leadership Team? B. Provide Disability Awareness Training C. Assist with identifying a SESG position and developing a job description based on one of your agency job classifications? D. Other: _______________________ Name one thing you learned today about the SESG program: ____________________ Return your completed survey to Katie Mirkovich, SESG Program Coordinator at Katie.Mirkovich@dshs.wa.gov. Thank you for your participation! 4.
