Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 612 - State Department of Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 10 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired › Subchapter 7 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired › Part 17 - SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES › Section 612:10-7-185.1 - Customized employment

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Customized employment
means competitive integrated employment, for an individual with a significant disability, that is based on an individualized determination of the unique strengths, needs and interests of the individual; designed to meet the specific abilities of the individual and the business needs of the employer, and carried out using flexible strategies such as those detailed in  34 CFR 361.5(c)(11).
(b)
Provision of customized employment services.
(1) Customized Employment (CE) services are provided by DRS for a time not to exceed the period specified in federal law unless under special circumstances the eligible individual and the rehabilitation counselor jointly agree to extend the time to achieve the rehabilitation objective identified in the IPE.
(2) Customized employment services are not subject to financial status determination. Services are purchased from a qualified vendor under contract with the Department.
(3) Customized Employment (CE) is for individuals in Priority Group 1 with the most significant disabilities who need intensive support to prepare for, obtain and maintain successful, competitive integrated employment. Those who may benefit from CE services include but are not limited to:
(A) Individuals with little or no work experience in a competitive integrated setting;
(B) Individuals who require multiple services over an extended period of time;
(C) Individuals who may benefit from specialized job development, job negotiations, and nontraditional jobs that meet an employer's needs;
(D) Individuals who are not able to perform all the essential functions of existing job descriptions;
(E) Individuals who require substantial assistance with preparing for employment and completing the job search process;
(F) Individuals who require significant job site support to learn job tasks, gain work adjustment skills and stabilize in employment; and
(G) Individuals who require long-term support to retain employment.
(4) Customized Employment referrals to contractors must include copies of the following documents:
(A) DRS-C-301 Employment Services Referral,
(B) DRS-C-21 Eligibility Determination Form,
(C) DRS-C-29 Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE),
(D) DRS Personal Information report (printed from AWARE).
(5) Customized employment services may include:
(A) CE Discovery includes activities that utilize a person-centered approach to describe who the individual is, and their vocational themes, and guides the planning process to develop a customized job.
(B) Team Meeting will be conducted with the individual, DRS Counselor, Contractor, and all other team members identified by the individual and DRS Counselor. The individual, or with the support of a designee identified by the individual, will lead the meeting to review the results of the discovery findings and develop a plan for job development.
(C) Visual Resume is a print and/or digital tool to aid in highlighting the individual's skills and interests to be used in job development with employers.
(D) Job Development involves negotiating a successful job match that meets the individual's interests, abilities, resources, priorities, and the employer's unmet needs. The job must meet the definition of competitive integrated employment.
(E) Job Coaching is provided by an Employment Consultant who uses structured intervention techniques to help the individual learn job tasks, interpersonal and other skills necessary to maintain successful employment.
(F) CE Maintenance is achieved when the individual is satisfied with the job and the supervisor/employer is satisfied with the worker's performance, work behaviors, and socialization. Extended Services, if needed, have been identified and initiated.
(G) CE Employment Outcome results in the individual being employed in a permanent competitive integrated job, all appropriate training and support services were provided, the weekly work goal has been met, the individual is satisfied with the job and the employer is satisfied with the individual's job performance for the required ninety (90) calendar days.