3.14 Supported Employment
Revisions to Supported Employment policy 3.14 to align with the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act of July 22, 2014.
State: Oregon
Developmental Disabilities Services Policy Change Regarding Sheltered Workshops
“In order to further Oregon’s Employment First policy, effective July 1, 2015, ODDS will no longer fund Sheltered Work or services in a Sheltered Workshop setting, for individuals who are newly eligible for services, or individuals already using services but not in a Sheltered Workshop setting.”
Integrated employment Plan: Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability
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The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) along with its many partners and stakeholders, strives to support the choices of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families within local communities by promoting and providing services that are person-centered and directed, flexible, inclusive and supportive of the discovery and development of each individual's unique gifts, talents and abilities. Oregon is committed to work toward service options that ensure people with I/DD have the opportunity to live lives that are fulfilling and meaningful. Therefore, services offered must promote activities, routines and relationships that are common to most citizens. A key element of this approach is employment – the path to independence, contribution and belonging and the road out of poverty. |
This Integrated Employment plan (Plan) is written consistent with Section IX (4) State Agency Actions, of Governor Kitzhaber’s Executive Order 13-04, “Providing Employment Services to Individual with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Order).” A copy of the Order is provided as Attachment 1. This Order recognizes the strategic importance of improving the work and economic opportunities of all Oregonians including those with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). More specifically, the Order sets forth strategies to be followed by DHS and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to further improve Oregon’s systems of designing and providing employment services to individuals with I/DD, including a significant reduction over time of state support of sheltered work and an increased investment in employment services. The Order also recognizes the implementation of Oregon’s Employment First policy as a framework for accomplishing the Executive Order’s desired goals.
Ticket to Work Medicaid Infrastructure Grant – Integrated Employment Plan (revised 7/2015)
“(2010-2011) During this time period VR used resources within its Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIG) Competitive Employment Project (CEP) and other available resources to support of a variety of Employment First related activities including:
- Co-funding for many of the stakeholder and partner gatherings (e.g. Employment First Summit, Meet at the Mountain, stakeholder work groups);
- Participation in the Supported Employment Leadership Network (SELN); and
- Improving access to benefits counseling and planning services such as the Work Incentive Project (WIN); and
- Supporting other training and technical assistance activities”
Oregon SB 777: ABLE (2015)
“The Oregon 529 Savings Board shall establish by rule and maintain a qualified ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] program in accordance with the requirements of the ABLE Act. (2) The rules must: (a) Allow a person to make contributions for a taxable year to an ABLE account established for the purpose of meeting the qualified disability expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account…”
Oregon Project ACCESS
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“The purpose of Project Access is to establish, implement, and evaluate a multi-level interagency transition model in the state of Oregon. The overall goal of the project is to improve and extend transition services to a greater number of youth with disabilities through a model program that brings vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRC's) into high school settings.” “The model is a collaborative effort between Oregon's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), public high schools in three Oregon school districts, and researchers at the University of Oregon.” |
Oregon Revised Statutes 427.007: Department of Human Services to plan and facilitate community services (2011)
Emphasizes the importance of home and community based services that help to facilitate community integration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Therefore, the Department of Human Services is directed to facilitate the development of appropriate community-based services, including family support, residential facilities, day programs, home care and other necessary support, care and training programs, in an orderly and systematic manner. The role of state-operated hospitals and training centers in Oregon shall be as specialized back-up facilities to a primary system of community-based services for persons with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities.”
Rebuilding Lives…from the Streets to a Home and a Job
“Ending chronic homelessness in our communities means not only providing permanent housing for people whose homelessness is measured in years, but also creating the opportunity to participate in the workforce, earn an income, and to contribute to America’s economy. In these projects, the Departments of Labor and Housing and Urban Development are demonstrating how communities can develop partnerships to end chronic homelessness through employment and housing and developing the tools to help the workforce development and homeless assistance systems achieve their goals.”
Oregon Money Follows the Person (MFP) “On the Move” (2008)
“On the Move in Oregon Transition Coordinators will provide one-on-one assistance to help create a package of services and supports that help people live more independently in the community without sacrificing needed care”
“Oregon’s Money Follows the Person project “On the Move in Oregon” aimed to reverse the increase in nursing facility utilization… and continue this state’s historic rebalancing efforts using Home and Community-Based services.” (Program concluded)
Oregon Supported Employment Center of Excellence (OSECE)
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“The Oregon Supported Employment Center for Excellence (OSECE) was created in 2008 as part of Oregon’s Supported Employment Initiative to provide technical assistance to Supported Employment providers, conduct fidelity reviews, collect, evaluate and share outcome data, educate and advise local and State level policy makers and coordinate media coverage of SE success stories. Beginning July, 2011, OSECE will be providing program evaluation to 3 Supported Education pilot sites… The Center will also be offering technical assistance to other mental health programs that are interested in starting Supported Education programming.” |