Indiana SB 390: Employment of individuals with disabilities (2017)
This Act “ increases the number of members and changes the membership of the commission on rehabilitation services (commission). Makes changes in the terms of service of commission members and requires the governor to specify each member’s term of service to ensure that terms expire on a staggered basis. Adds the following to the commission’s duties:
Establish baseline data regarding the number of individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment and set annual goals for increasing the percentage of individuals with disabilities in competitive integrated employment.
Identify and resolve barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities.
Analyze federal, state, and local agency policies concerning the provision of services to individuals with disabilities, including the impact of those policies on opportunities for competitive integrated employment, and recommend changes to state policies.
Assist state agencies in the implementation of the policy concerning employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Provide an annual report to the governor and the rehabilitation services administration commissioner concerning the employment of individuals with disabilities. Provides that the policy (policy) of the state is to promote competitive integrated employment, including self-employment, as the first and preferred option when providing services to individuals with disabilities who are of working age.”
Up to $20 Million in Grants Available Through Department of Workforce Development’s Skill UP Indiana! Program
~~“The Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s (DWD) employer-driven Skill UP Indiana! Program is about to enter round three. At stake over a two-year period is a pool of up to $20 million in grant funding that is being made available to financially support Innovation Networks to provide more and better avenues for skill-specific training and certification.
“’We often hear from employers who tell us they cannot find qualified candidates to fill open high-wage, high demand positions,’” said Steve Braun, DWD Commissioner. ‘“The goal of Skill UP Indiana! is to encourage regional networks and industry partnerships that meet these employer needs through training, education and certification.’””
Indiana Code IC 22-9-11-7: Competitive integrated employment first and preferred state policy
“Sec. 7. (a) It is the policy of the state to advance competitive integrated employment, including self-employment, as the first and preferred option when providing services to an individual with disabilities who is of working age, regardless of the nature or the severity of the individual’s disability. The policy applies to programs and agencies that provide services and support to help obtain employment for individuals with disabilities. (b) State agencies shall follow the policy described in subsection (a) and ensure that the policy is implemented effectively in the state agencies’ programs and services. State agencies shall implement the policy in a manner that is consistent with an individual’s right to make an informed choice about employment options that meet an individual’s needs and preferences. As added by P.L.68-2017, SEC.4.”
Indiana Code IC 22-9-11-8: Obtaining competitive integrated employment transition services
“Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to transition services provided as part of a special education program or related services to a child with a disability who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. (b) The primary objective and preferred outcome of providing the services described in subsection (a) is to assist the child in obtaining competitive integrated employment. As added by P.L.68-2017, SEC.4.”
Indiana University Bloomington: Indiana Secondary Transition Center Resources
“The Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center (INSTRC) creates and collects the tools, trainings, and information you need to support your students. Use the categories and parameters here to narrow your search by topic, format, and/or audience.
For your convenience, we’ve also created collections of some of our most-accessed, most popular resources. The collection categories (e.g., self-determination, health, writing quality IEPS) are listed under the Resource Collections tab above.”
Indiana FSSA Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force
“Welcome to the Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities page.
The Task Force for Assessment of Services and Supports for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities was established by HEA 1102 in the 2017 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The task force is led by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, a champion on issues important to people with disabilities and their families. A broad assessment of intellectual and developmental disabilities services has not taken place since 1997, when the 317 Commission was established to create a comprehensive plan for services during the time state-run institutions were closing and services were shifting to home- and community-based supports. Meetings were held around the state in 2018 for the purpose of gathering input and prepare a comprehensive plan for implementation of community-based services provided to people with intellectual and other disabilities.
The Task Force was reauthorized this past session by HEA 1488, and going forward, the Task Force will meet twice a year through 2025 to receive an update regarding the implementation of the 1102 Task Force’s Final Report Recommendations, and if any legislative changes are needed to accomplish what is set forth in the recommendations. The first meeting must occur prior to June 15, 2019, and the second meeting must occur prior to Nov. 20, 2019.”
~~The Indiana Conference on Disability has moved to a biennial format; the next conference will take place in 2019. Information will be posted as updates become available.
Indiana State Board of Education Graduation Pathways Policy Guidance (2018)
“How will accommodations be provided for students with disabilities (e.g., IEPs and 504 plans)?
The student’s IEP must include appropriate accommodations and related services and supplementary aids and services to help the student meet all Pathway requirements, including the Employability Skills experiences. During a student’s case conference, the IEP team must consider accommodations and supports that might be unique to a Pathway experience. Case conferences need to discuss accommodations necessary for students to complete out of classroom and/or off-site opportunities, as well as those that may occur outside of the school day, identifying the requisite accommodations and supports to assist the student in meeting the Pathway requirements.
Accommodations need to be offered, regardless of when or where the opportunity occurs. The student’s four-year plan and transition IEP should align with the student’s Employability Skills experience. Per Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there must be equal opportunity of a qualified person with a disability to participate in or benefit from educational aid, benefits, or services. There must be equal access for all students. Students cannot be counseled toward one Employability Skills experience over the other due to disability, per Section 504.”
Indiana Home and Community-Based Services Provider Manual
“As a division of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) has two overarching responsibilities for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities:
Facilitate partnerships that enhance the quality of life.
Provide continuous, life-long support.
The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) and the Bureau of Quality Improvement Services (BQIS) are under the DDRS.”
“Indiana is committed to providing quality employment services to Veterans at our WorkOne Centers. Veterans go to the front of the line and each office has an onsite Veteran’s representative that assists with employment needs.”
