Group Supported Employment Clarification
July 29, 2010
Introduction by Dwight Hansen
Thanks to Nancy Quarles for forwarding the following memo regarding group supported employment! I was told yesterday that this was going to happen but did not want to get in front of the CPSII’s (hab specialists) who were going to communicate directly with the providers in their area.
I have had several conversations in the last few days with people at DDS with the purpose of encouraging better communication - a return to the way we all did business before the last couple of years.
I feel confident that the good folks at the DDS Work Services Section will embrace a more consultive process!
This email is to provide clarification about the approval of SEP groups. There have been no changes to the approval process or criteria used. We have clarified that indeed requests to develop groups in non-integrated locations will not be approved as has always been the case. Each new group application will be evaluated on a case by case basis as to meeting the criteria as required by Title 17. This criteria is as follows:
§54302(a)(70) “Supported Employment Program” means a program that meets the requirements of the term supported employment , as defined in this section, and of the terms, integrated work, supported employment placement, allowable supported employment services, group services, and individualized services as defined in Section 58801.
And §58810(e)(39) “Integrated work” means paid work by a consumer in a community setting in which the consumer interacts with individuals without disabilities, other than those providing services to the consumer, to the same extent that individuals without disabilities in comparable positions interact with other persons;
The actual location of the group is considered in relation to meeting the definition of integrated work and with regard to the availability of transportation to the worksite as referenced in §58832(b)(4) “Necessity for staggered hours attributable to medical and transportation needs as identified in the consumer's IPP, job requirements as established by the employer, availability of transportation in the geographic location.”
The CPSII staff will continue to process these requests in consultation with the vendoring regional center as has been the case. Should you have additional questions please contact your CPSII liaison.
Denyse Curtright, Chief
Work Services Section
Department of Developmental Services
1600 Ninth Street, MS 3-23
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-2208
denyse.curtright@dds.ca.gov