Customized Employment

“Customized employment is a flexible process designed to personalize the employment relationship between a job candidate and an employer in a way that meets the needs of both. It is based on an individualized match between the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate and the identified business needs of an employer. Customized Employment utilizes an individualized approach to employment planning and job development — one person at a time . . . one employer at a time.”

Links:

Utah SB 292: ABLE (2015)

“This bill enacts the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program [ABLE] Act and provides tax credits for contributions to accounts created under the program.”

Links:

Utah SB 292: Bill Text (PDF)

Utah Executive Order 2016-1: Rescinding Prior Executive Orders

“Executive Order issued March 28, 1978, by Governor Matheson, establishing the “Governor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped” created to promote and to encourage employment of disabled individuals and vocational, economic, and social opportunities. This order is rescinded because Utah’s 2012 Employment First statute, Utah Code 62A-5-103.3, fulfills the same purpose.”

Links:

Utah Executive Order 2016-1: Text (PDF)

Utah HB 325: Office of Rehabilitation (2016)

“The bill moves Utah State Office of Rehabilitation from the State Board of Education to the Department of Workforce Services; modifies provisions related to the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, including that the governor appoint certain members of the committee.”

Links:

Utah HB 325: Bill Text (PDF)

Utah HB 325: Office of Rehabilitation Services Amendments

“This bill modifies the State Office of Rehabilitation Act and related provisions.”

“Section 16. Section 35A-13-203, which is renumbered from Section 53A-24-106.5 is renumbered and amended to read:

564 35A-13-203. Employment first emphasis on the provision of services.

566 (1) When providing services to [a person] an individual with a disability under this chapter, the office shall, within funds appropriated by the Legislature and in accordance with the requirements of federal and state law, give priority to providing services that assist the [person] individual in obtaining and retaining meaningful and gainful employment”

Links:

Utah HB 325: Bill Text

Transition Plan for the Move of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation to the Department of Workforce Services

“The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) will transition to the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) effective October 1, 2016….With the transition, USOR services will be overseen by DWS, which has similar goals in helping individuals of all circumstances overcome barriers. DWS manages several divisions with distinct purposes that support specialized services for individuals and families. In addition to supporting gainful employment and providing eligibility services, DWS helps parents with childcare needs, provides funding for low-income housing, assists refugees resettling in Utah, manages labor market data and offers career counseling for veterans.

As USOR transitions to DWS, it will move over as its own division. DWS recognizes that USOR clients need individual, specialized care and that USOR’s unique service delivery model contributes to its success. Therefore, there is no intent to change it at this time. Throughout the transition and beyond, DWS and USOR will work together to ensure customers and clients on both sides will continue to receive high-quality service.”

Links:

Transition Plan for the Move of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation to the Department of Workforce Services

Utah Code Section 53A-24-106.5: Employment first (2016)

Pertaining to the State System of Public Education. “When providing services to a person with a disability under this chapter, the office shall, within funds appropriated by the Legislature and in accordance with the requirements of federal and state law, give priority to providing services that assist the person in obtaining and retaining meaningful and gainful employment that enables the person to: purchase goods and services; establish self-sufficiency; and exercise economic control of the person’s life.”

Links:

Utah Code Section 53A-24-106.5: Text

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Transition Client Service Memorandum 2016-11: Transition and Pre-employment Transition Services

“The purpose of this Client Service Memo is to establish the definitions and procedures for working with Students with Disabilities, Youth with Disabilities, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and Transition Services”

Links:

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Transition Client Service Memorandum 2016-11: Transition and Pre-employment Transition Servi

Utah Partnerships in Employment

“ACL’s Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) recently awarded more than $1.8 million in funding to six states to increase competitive employment outcomes for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The five-year grants will help enhance collaboration across existing state systems, including programs administered by state developmental disabilities agencies, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, state educational agencies, and other entities to prioritize employment as the first and preferred option for youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.”

Utah’s Division of Services for People with Disabilities received a grant for its School to Work Interagency Transition Initiative.

Links:

Utah Partnerships in Employment

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Services to Students with Disabilities Policy

“Transition services shall be provided to eligible Students and Youth with disabilities to facilitate the transition from educational settings in high school to VR services oriented toward an employment outcome consistent with the student/youth’s primary employment factors. Individuals meeting the definition of Student with a Disability, both eligible and potentially eligible for VR services, may access Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Services for eligible Students and Youth are governed under standard IPE’s as outlined below. Pre-ETS for Students Potentially Eligible are governed under sections 25.7 and 25.8.”

Links:

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Services to Students with Disabilities Policy