Integrated Day Activities and Supported Employment

a. To the greatest extent practicable, the Commonwealth shall provide individuals in the target population receiving services under this Agreement with integrated day opportunities, including supported employment.

b. The Commonwealth shall maintain its membership in the State Employment Leadership Network (“SELN”) established by the National Association of State Developmental Disability Directors. The Commonwealth shall establish a state policy on Employment First for the target population and include a term in the CSB Performance Contract requiring application of this policy. The Employment First policy shall, at a minimum, be based on the following principles: (1) individual supported employment in integrated work settings is the first and priority service option for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities receiving day program or employment services from or funded by the Commonwealth; (2) the goal of employment services is to support individuals in integrated work settings where they are paid minimum or competitive wages; and (3) employment services and goals must be developed and discussed at least annually through a person-centered planning process and included in ISPs. The Commonwealth shall have at least one employment service coordinator to monitor implementation of Employment First practices for individuals in the target population.

                     i.        Within 180 days of this Agreement, the Commonwealth shall develop, as part of its Employment First policy, an implementation plan to increase integrated day opportunities for individuals in the target population, including supported employment, community volunteer activities, community recreational opportunities, and other integrated day activities. The plan will be under the direct supervision of a dedicated employment service coordinator for the Commonwealth and shall:

A. Provide regional training on the Employment First policy and strategies throughout the Commonwealth; and

B. Establish, for individuals receiving services through the HCBS waivers:

1. Annual baseline information regarding:

a.    The number of individuals who are receiving supported employment;

b.    The length of time people maintain employment in integrated work settings;

c.    Amount of earnings from supported employment;

d.    The number of individuals in pre-vocational services as defined in 12 VAC 30-120-211 in effect on the effective date of this Agreement; and

e.    The length of time individuals remain in pre-vocational services.

2. Targets to meaningfully increase:

a.    The number of individuals who enroll in supported employment each year; and

b.    The number of individuals who remain employed in integrated work settings at least 12 months after the start of supported employment.

c.    Regional Quality Councils, described in Section V.D.5 below, shall review data regarding die extent to which the targets identified in Section III.C.7.b.i.B.2 above are being met. These data shall be provided quarterly to the Regional Quality Councils and the Quality Management system by the providers. Regional Quality Councils shall consult with those providers and the SELN regarding the need to take additional measures to further enhance these services.

d.    The Regional Quality Councils shall annually review the targets set pursuant to Section III.C.7.b.i.B.2 above and shall work with providers and the SELN in determining whether the targets should be adjusted upward.