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For the original publication, please click here. The following is a text version of the original publication. -- To: General Public From: Bureau of Rehabilitation Services Date: October 23, 2014 NOTICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILIATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE RATE CHANGES BACKGROUND and PURPOSE: The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) secures employment services through approved and accredited Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP). In 2006, BRS fully implemented Results Based Funding (RBF) using a two-tiered consumer model. The majority of employment services provided by the CRPs are done through milestone payments, including completing an employment plan, five days after placement, four weeks after placement, and at case closure. While the RBF model has some effective components and incentivizes outcomes, there are some challenges that have developed over the years. The “one-size fits all” approach has presented unintended consequences that BRS has recognized and will attempt to address with the newly proposed Hybrid Model. Upon review of the current RBF Model, BRS has identified several key areas that need to be addressed in the new model:
WORKGROUP DEVELOPMENT: BRS recognized the need for stakeholder input and asked INARF to create a workgroup to assist in the development of a new employment service model. The workgroup consisted of membership from CRPs (including Community Mental Health Centers), INARF, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, and the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services. In designing the new model, BRS and the workgroup reviewed Indiana’s VR data (fiscal and performance data), other state models, various CRPs’ data, and most importantly consumer needs. In addition, the workgroup worked from a core set of values and principles which included the following:
The current model requires the VR Counselor to determine whether a consumer is considered a “Tier 1” or “Tier 2” consumer prior to the start of his/her employment services. Tier 1 individuals consist of those individuals with the most significant disabilities and employment services are paid at a higher amount. The current rates are as follows: RBF Milestone 1: Plan for Employment and Supports Tier 1 Rate: $1080 Tier 2 Rate: $540 RBF Milestone 2: 5th Day of Placement Tier 1 Rate: $1080 Tier 2 Rate: $810 RBF Milestone 3: Four-Week Placement Tier 1 Rate: $1667.60 Tier 2 Rate: $1192.50 RBF Milestone 4: Eligibility for Case Closure Tier 1 Rate: $3600 Tier 2 Rate: $2340 Job Placement Hourly Service Rate: $34.00 PROPOSED HYBRID MODEL: The proposed Hybrid Model continues to use three core milestones common for all employment services: 1) Placement, 2) Short-Term Retention (30 days), and 3) Retention (minimum 90 days after consumer is stable). In addition, it has replaced RBF Milestone 1 with specific VR discovery and assessment services that are billed outside of the model to address consumer’s individualized needs. The Hybrid Model also increases access to appropriate supported employment services, including ongoing support services. The following are identified strengths with the Hybrid model:
Employment Service Activity: Discovery/Assessment Activities Rate: Activities and costs will vary based on individual need. Standard Hourly Rate: $40.00/hour Employment Service Activity: Core Employment Milestones: 1) Milestone 1 Placement (5 days) Rate: $1300 Employment Service Activity: Core Employment Milestone 2 Short-Term Retention (30 days) Rate: $1500 Employment Service Activity: Core Employment Milestone 3 Retention (90 days post stabilization) Rate: $1300 Total Employment Milestones = $4100 Employment Service Activity: Supported Employment Services Rate: Monthly rate based on number of Supported Employment hours. DISCOVERY/ASSESSMENT: The employment services process begins with appropriate Discovery/Assessment. This important step will be individualized based on a consumer’s needs. These services are key in identifying an appropriate employment goal, the nature and scope of services needed to reach the goal, and preparation for the achievement of the goal. The discovery process is individualized and may including a wide range of services, including, but not limited to:
A referral to employment services may occur after the employment goal and nature and scope of services are identified, any applicable preparation or training is completed and individual is ready to begin job development. As mentioned above, the core employment milestones include: 1) placement, 2) Short-Term Retention, and 3) Retention. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Supported Employment Services (SE), including ongoing support services and other services necessary to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability (MSD) in supported employment may be provided by VR for up to 18 months (or longer if extenuating circumstances). Stabilization and ongoing support services will no longer be part of the core milestone reimbursement payments; these payments will be funded at a monthly rate based on the number of SE hours provided each month (see table below). An ‘Ongoing Support and Fading Plan’ will be required to outline the specific support needs to be provided. The plan will likely include the information regarding the specific activities/strategies used to increase consumer independence, natural supports that will be explored, goals for fading and achievement of stabilization, identification of extended services needs and options for obtaining extended services, and other relevant information. Fading of employment supports occurs before the identification of stabilization and transition to extended services as appropriate. VR Counselor engagement is important during this process. The ‘Ongoing Support and Fading Plan’ will be updated at regular intervals. The total SE costs for each consumer will vary greatly depending on need. *Please see Attachment A Supported Employment Model. SE Hours Per Month: 1-5 Rate: $176 SE Hours Per Month: 6-10 Rate: $352 SE Hours Per Month: 11-15 Rate: $528 SE Hours Per Month: 16-20 Rate: $720 SE Hours Per Month: 21 - 25 Rate: $920 SE Hours Per Month: 26+ Rate: $1040 OVERALL COSTS: The workgroup reviewed sample cases to better understand the cost involved. The costs for Supported Employment cases ranged from $7300 to $9400, with an average per case cost of $8500. o The Discovery costs ranged from $1000 to $2400 per individual. o RBF cost was $4200 o SE Services (ongoing support services) ranged from $1700 to $3600 per individual EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WORKFLOW: Below is a step-by-step overview of the employment service process: 1. Start with Discovery; discovery is necessary for all individuals (SE or non-SE) though specific activities and scope and duration of activities will vary 2. Determination as to whether the individual is ready to begin job development. YES --> referral to employment service core milestones NO -->what additional discovery is necessary? 3. Referral to employment services under the Hybrid Model 4. Obtain employment in line with Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) goal; if employment is not obtained identify whether there are additional job readiness activities necessary 5. Milestone 1, 5 days Employment is achieved 6. Milestone 2, 30-days Employment is achieved 7. For SE cases, an ‘Ongoing Support and Fading Plan’ is developed 8. After placement, ongoing support services and other appropriate SE services are provided by VR for individuals with MSD, and may continue for up to 18 months. 9. For SE Cases, the ‘Ongoing Support and Fading Plan’ is reviewed and revised as necessary 10. Stabilization is achieved (the point in time where the consumer has reached his/her highest level of independence on the job) 11. Milestone 3, Retention is achieved (individual has maintained employment 90 days, or for SE, 90 days after reaching stabilization) NEXT STEPS:
Thank you all for your time in reviewing the proposed model and providing feedback. Kylee Hope, Director of BRS Theresa Koleszar, Director of Program Supports Comments are closed.
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