“If you are interested in employment, VRS is a good place to start. This guide will help you learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation Services [Vocational Rehabilitation Services], what to expect, and how to prepare so that you have the right supports to find the job that is best for you.”
“Provides adult day services, case management, prevocational services, respite, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological therapy, speech/language therapy, behavioral support services, career exploration and planning, day habilitation, home modifications, home modification assessment, extended services, facility based support services, family and caregiver training, intensive behavioral intervention, music therapy, participant assistance and care, personal emergency response system, recreational therapy, remote supports, specialized medical equipment and supplies, transportation, vehicle modifications, and workplace assistance services to individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities ages 0 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care. This waiver operates with a concurrent 1915(b)(4) authority.”
“Employment First is the vision of making employment the first priority and preferred outcome of services for individuals with disabilities. It means: (1) expecting, encouraging, providing, creating, and rewarding integrated employment in the workforce; and, (2) at a minimum, securing competitive wages with benefits as the first and preferred outcome for working-age youth and adults with disabilities. This includes those with complex and significant disabilities, for whom job placement in the past has been limited, or has not traditionally occurred. Employment First is everyone’s responsibility. State and local government agencies, employers, service providers, community members, and families and individuals with disabilities should work in partnership so people with disabilities and others with employment barriers get into the labor force.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) requires states to submit a unified or combined State Plan that outlines a four-year strategy for the state’s workforce development system. Additional updates and modifications to the State Plan are submitted to DOL every two years.”
This page contains the link to the most recent WIOA State Plan.
“Through the use of MIG funds, Indiana has made a number of improvements to the state’s infrastructure supporting employment of IWD. While Indiana has been a leader in many aspects of employment supports and the use of innovative practices, the state realizes that ongoing efforts are necessary to improve employment outcomes, economic outlook and the overall well-being of IWD.”
The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) is a three-year federal grant-funded program that improves education, training, employment opportunities, and employment outcomes for people who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. In 2012, Indiana was awarded a Round 3 DEI grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration. The grant ended in 2015.
Provides adult day, prevocational, rent and food for unrelated live-in caregiver, residential hab and support, respite, supported employment follow along, OT, PT, psychological therapy, speech/language therapy, adult foster care, behavioral support, community based hab-group, community based hab-individual, community transition, electronic monitoring, environmental mods, facility based hab-group, facility based hab-individual, facility based support services, family and caregiver training, intensive behavior intervention, music therapy, PERS, recreational therapy, specialized medical equipment and supplies, transportation, workplace assistance for individuals w/autism, ID, DD ages 0 – no max age.
“Effective March 17, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that individuals receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated and that support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources, and receive services in the community to the same degree as individuals who do not receive HCBS. These changes will maximize the opportunities for participants in HCBS programs to have access to the benefits of community living and to receive services in the most integrated setting. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has created a Statewide Transition Plan to assess compliance with the HCBS Rule and identify strategies and timelines for coming into compliance with the new rule as it relates to all FSSA HCBS programs. States must be in full compliance with the federal requirements by the time frame approved in the Statewide Transition Plan but no later than March 17, 2019.”
“A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign the topic of an Employment First Program, which promotes and expands quality, community employment outcomes for all people with disabilities to an appropriate study committee.”
“Be it resolved by the Senate of the 14 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate urges the legislative council to assign the topic of an Employment First Program, which promotes and expands quality, community employment outcomes for all people with disabilities to an appropriate study committee.”