Supported Employment
Supported employment services increases the opportunity for individuals who might require augmented levels of support, training, and advocacy to be employed in real jobs for competitive wages.
What is supported employment?
Supported employment services increases the opportunity for individuals who might require augmented levels of support, training, and advocacy to be employed in real jobs for competitive wages. Consumers needing these services are most often individuals with multiple disabilities who have never worked before or have not been in the workforce for many years.
A job coach works with the individual and performs a broad range of functions including helping with job applications, seeking out appropriate transportation, and arranging the necessary accommodations in the worksite. The supported employment approach provides a means for assessing not only the strengths and support needs of the individual but also, the ability of the employer to make reasonable accommodations. A supported employment approach further leads to the development and implementation of strategies to overcome barriers before they become problems that could jeopardize employment stability.
Phases of Employment
Supported Employment activities are determined by the “phase of employment” the individual is currently in:
Pre-Placement Phase
Seeking employment, resume development, contact with potential employers
Intensive Phase
Job accepted, services are delivered intensively at outset of hire to ensure stabilization, supports are gradually decreased over time
Long Term Phase
Job stabilization achieved, Supported Employment provided intermittently/as needed until complete fade from worksite is appropriate.
How does Supported Employment work?
In New Jersey, there are two entities that fund Supported Employment services. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services(DVRS) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities(DDD). Once services are authorized by either of these entities a selected community organization provides services.
Per a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies, DVRS is the primary funder of employment services.*
*Regardless if an individual qualifies for DDD or not, they must exhaust employment support from DVRS before utilizing the DDD budget for employment purposes. Should an individual be determined as ineligible for DVRS, it is possible to utilize the DDD budget for primary supports.*
DVRS can provide the following primary Supported Employment services:
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- Pre-Placement Support – seeking employment
- Intensive Support – Time limited intensive employment support at the outset of a new job
Once an individual is determined as “stable” by the VRC, the local DVRS case is closed and Long Term Phase Supported Employment support continues through the DDD budget. *
*If an individual does not qualify for DDD services but is still in need of Long Term support, DVRS does have a Long Term Follow Along program, speak with VRC regarding eligibility.*
If you live with a visual impairment you may be able to receive services from- CBVI (Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired)
