“The Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE) initiative is a project of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, on behalf of six western states: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah. Awarded by the US Department of Education on October 1, 2013, this five-year, $32.5 million award targets enrollment of youth ages 14 to 16 who receive Supplemental Security Income and their families. Expected outcomes of this initiative include increased education and household income for the families, and reduced dependency on public benefits. ASPIRE is one of six PROMISE projects nationally funded by the US Department of Education.
The Policy Institute at the University of Utah leads formative evaluation activities for the six-state ASPIRE project. Other partners in the formative evaluation team are University of Kansas and University of Montana. The formative evaluation team provides monitoring and feedback to project staff to allow for adjustment and improvement of recruitment and enrollment procedures, training, service delivery, management, and reporting. The management information system that compiles and analyzes all operational data is housed at the University of Utah.”
“Supported Employment helps adults with disabilities obtain, maintain, and advance in competitive employment in integrated work settings paying minimum wage or more. These services are provided individually or in groups, with a job coach or co-worker supports. Supported employment is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate both the needs of the employer and the needs of the person. It can be arranged on a full or part time basis, during traditional or non-traditional workdays, or work hours and take place in settings where the person has the opportunity to work with co-workers who do not have intellectual disabilities.”
“The Supported Employment Transformation Project (SETP) uses the Individual Placement and Support evidence-based, supported employment model. A primary component of this project includes forming a multi-agency coordinating committee that will develop and implement a collaborative, sustainable funding initiative to expand and maintain robust, supported employment services in Utah. The project provides supported employment services to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Two local mental health authorities across urban and rural communities coordinate these services.”
An Executive Director of a facility based day program and sheltered workshop in Utah discusses how the Lane v. Kitzhabersettlement, Olmstead, and CMS directives will impact his organization. The Executive Director says that the work his organization has done is "group work and is performed in a segregated environment…(and) does not reflect the individual desires and interactions with non-disabled peers outside of our centers that the law is not requiring. Customized Employment is stated as the new goal although it is recognized that "some individuals may not ever find successful employment in an integrated setting…but…the opportunity to at least try can and should be considered successful."
“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.”
“This bill enacts the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program [ABLE] Act and provides tax credits for contributions to accounts created under the program.”
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.”
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”
“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.”
Utah 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.”
