Vocational Services

The Arc of Clarion County is proposing to enter into a new Letter of Understanding with the Erie District office of OVR and wishes to provide the following services:

- Job Coaching
- Job Coaching with Extended Services
- Other industry Integrated Programs
      Community Based Work Assessment

All services will be agreed upon and jointly developed by the consumer, OVR-BPO/ OVR-BVS liaison counselor, and designated Arc of Clarion County, Inc. staff. All services will be pre-approved and authorized by the OVR-BPO/ OVR- BVS liaison counselor prior to the provision of any cost service.

In the past it has been proven that with support from Vocational Programs, persons with developmental disabilities can achieve and maintain successful employment in he competitive market place. Without the specific skills coaching and positive reinforcement provided by Vocational Specialists, these persons would be attending either a scheduled workshop, day activity center, or remaining at home without any support system.

Congress is intending for all person who wish to seek community employment be able to given the proper support system. They promote real work in a real workplace. Parents, educator, and vocational rehabilitative professionals also want the same real work outcome for individuals with handicapping conditions. Congress is close to a practical application of the expressed intent and are aware of a major gap in service delivery.

The Arc of Clarion County's Employment Services will prepare consumers for competitive employment, match consumers to jobs, train consumers on-the-job, and provide back up support to ensure job permanency and maintenance. The various components of the Arc's supportive Employment program assure that individuals and their families are able to exercise choice and control in the services they need. The services are consumer driven and needs based building upon the natural supports in the place or available to the consumer. The following array of employment services have been designed to ensure choice and comprehensive service delivery for all consumers in their quest for competitive employment and self independence:

A. Job Coaching

Following the determination of eligibility by OVR-BPO / OVR-BVS and the completion of the consumers support plan, the OVR liaison will provide the consumer with contact information and a listing of contracted agency providers specific to the individuals employment needs. The consumer is empowered to interview agencies of his/ her choosing and select the agency of choice that he / she wants to provide the employment services.

Upon selecting the Arc of Clarion County as the provider of choice, the OVR counselor will make contact with the Arc of Clarion County informing them of the consumer's selection. Essential to goal mastery is open communication and dialog between all invested parties, guided by the needs of the consumer. Therefore, a team meeting will be arranged by the OVR counselor to include the consumer OVR counselor, The Arc's Vocational Specialist, and any other member of the person's circle of support. During this initial meeting, the Job Coaching Needs Determination and Training Plan (see attached) will be jointly developed to meet the individuals goals and objectives consistent with the persons support plan. Services provided will be agreed upon and jointly developed with a copy of the consumer support plan being provided to the Arc's Vocational Specialist.

Once authorization of services has been received from the OVR counselor detailing the negotiated hours, a Vocational Specialist from the Arc of Clarion County will schedule and informational meeting with the consumer requesting services. During this informational meeting, services that were previously authorized and agreed upon employment plan will again be reviewed with the consumer to ensure the consumer understands and insight will be provided as needed. At this time, an Arc intake packet will also be completed and/ or updated, while a review of the consumer's availability is explored and a schedule is developed to meet the consumers employment outcomes. The overriding philosophy throughout the Job Coaching service is empowerment, with a focus on consumer choice. Job services will consist of:

- School to work transition
- Development of job seeking skills
- Employment of related personal skills training
- Job development
- Locate and screen employers
- Preparation for interviews
- Set up work Interviews
- Intermediary between employer and employee providing assistance as needed
- Job analysis and coordination of resources for adaptation needs
- On- site training and skill acquisition
- Regular on site visits to promote job retention and advancement
- Re-education / refresher instruction
- Mobility training.

The provisions of services is a progression of four phases and will correlate to the consumer's needs determination and is consistent with the vocational goals identified in the persons' support plan.

B. Job Coaching with Extended Services

At times Supported employment is needed to ensure employment permanency and maintenance of work skills and interpersonal skills. Ongoing follow up supports and training at times is essential. Following the determination of eligibility for extended services by OVR-BPO / OVR- BVS, the provider of the extended services and corresponding funding source will be established, and agreement secured, prior to authorization and delivery of services.

When eligibility for extended services is determined, authorized by OVR or some other funding stream, and the consumer chooses the Arc to provide for these extended service, then the Arc of Clarion County will enter into an agreement as is warranted. To measure movement towards and mastery of the stated goals and objectives, the Arc's Vocational Specialist will complete individualized progress notes and submit with an invoice for payment for services in accordance with the payment schedule identifies by the funding agency.

C. Other Industry Integrated Programs

Community Based Work Assessment

Community Based Work Assessments provide for evaluation of skills and transition into competitive employment. This activity is designed to help consumers who have no or limited employment experience. Through Community Based Work Assessments, individuals are provided job- matching experiences to enhance career choice and compatibility. A career sampling trial period enables persons to "try out" various jobs helping to define the person's interests, skills, and goals leading to informed career path decisions. The Arc has collaborated with employers in the retail market, hotel industry, factory, and food service. Ongoing partnerships are developed with employers and established to meet consumer needs/ interest.

Following the determination of eligibility by OVR-BPO/ OVR-BVS and the completion of the consumer's support plan, the OVR liaison will provide the consumer with contact information and a listing of contracted agency providers specific to the individuals employment needs. The consumer is empowered to interview agencies of his/ her choosing and select the agency of choice to provide the employment services.

Upon selecting the Arc of Clarion County as the provider of choice, the OVR counselor will make contact with The Arc of Clarion County informing them of the consumer's selection. Essential to goal mastery is open communication and dialog between all invested parties, guided by the needs of the consumer. Therefore, a team meeting will be arranged by the OVR counselor to include the consumer, OVR counselor, The Arc's Vocational Specialist and any other members of the person's circle of support. During the initial meeting, the Job Coaching Needs Determination and Training Plan will be jointly developed to meet the individual's goals and objectives consistent with the persons support plan. Services provided will be agreed upon and jointly developed with a copy of the consumer's support plan being provided to the Arc's Vocational Specialist.

Once receiving from the OVR counselor the authorization of services detailing the original hours negotiated, an Arc Vocational Specialist schedules and informational meeting with the consumer. During this informational meeting the authorized services and agreed upon employment plan is again reviewed with the consumer to insure understanding and provide insight as needed. An Arc intake packet is also completed/ updated, while a review of consumer's availability is explored and a schedule developed to meet the consumer's employment outcomes. An Arc Vocational Specialist will carry out the Community Based Work Assessment (CBWA) as authorized by OVR and consistent with the person's support plan. On average, it is estimated that outcomes related to CBWA can be achieved in 20 hours. However, individual skill levels and abilities, along with the extent of the requested assessment, will have an effect on the time required to complete a thorough assessment. The Arc's Vocational Specialist will complete individualized progress notes following each service provided to measure movement toward mastery of the stated goals and objectives. Upon completion of each assessment area, The Arc's Vocational Specialist will generate an assessment report and provide a determination of the person's potential for reasonable employment outcomes and expectation, along with recommendations and skill ability. (See Appendix). The report will be reviewed with the number of hours required to complete the assessment area.