Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A.
Supported employment is competitive work in an integrated work setting, or
employment in an integrated work setting in which the beneficiaries are working
toward competitive work that is consistent with the strengths, resources,
priorities, interests, and informed choice of beneficiaries for whom
competitive employment has not traditionally occurred. The beneficiary must be
eligible and assessed to need the service in order to receive supported
employment services. The outcome of this service is sustained paid employment
and work experience leading to further career development and individual
integrated community-based employment for which an individual is compensated at
or above minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of
benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by
individuals without disabilities.
B. Individuals eligible for Louisiana
Rehabilitation Services (LRS) must access those services prior to utilizing
home and community based waiver supported employment services.
C. Supported employment is conducted in a
variety of settings, particularly work sites in which persons without
disabilities are employed. Supported employment cannot be provided at worksites
that are facility based, or other similar types of vocational services
furnished in specialized facilities that are not part of the general workplace.
Supported employment includes activities needed by waiver beneficiaries to
sustain paid work, including supervision and training and is based on an
individualized service plan. Supported employment may include assistance and
prompting with:
1. personal hygiene;
2. dressing;
3. grooming;
4. eating;
5. toileting;
6. ambulation or transfers;
7. other personal care and behavioral support
needs; and
8. any medical task
which can be delegated.
D. Supported Employment Models. Reimbursement
for supported employment includes an individualized service plan for each
model.
1. Individual supported employment
one-to-one services include all aspects of the supported employment, process
including assessments, development, placement, job retention, and stabilization
that are necessary to get an individual to work in an individual competitive
job in the community.
2.
Follow-along support services provide ongoing supports to individuals and their
employers who need the support to maintain their job in integrated work
settings in the general workforce. The amount of support is determined for each
individual based on the individual's ability to be independent in the job.
Follow-along services may be delivered virtually.
3. Group employment is an employment setting
in which a group of two to eight beneficiaries work to complete jobs in a
variety of locations in the community under the supervision of an employment
specialist in a manner that promotes integration into the workplace and
interaction between beneficiaries and people without disabilities in those
workplaces that are in the community.
E. Service Exclusions
1. Supported employment services shall not be
used in conjunction or simultaneously with any other waiver service, except
substitute family care, supported independent living, and skilled nursing
services. Virtual follow-along supported employment services cannot be utilized
at the same time as any other service.
2. When supported employment services are
provided at a work site in which persons without disabilities are employed,
payment will be made only for the adaptations, supervision and training
required by beneficiaries receiving waiver services as a result of his/her
disabilities, and will not include payment for the supervisory activities
rendered as a normal part of the business setting.
3. Supported employment services are not
available to beneficiaries who are eligible to participate in programs funded
under section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or sections 602(16) and
(17) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C.
1401(26) and (29), as
amended, and those covered under the Medicaid State Plan, if
applicable.
F. Service
Limits
1. Individual supported employment
one-to-one services shall not exceed 2,880 one-quarter hour units (15 minute
increments) per CPOC year.
2. Both
individual and virtual supported employment follow-along services shall not
exceed 960 one-quarter hour units (15 minute increments) per CPOC
year.
3. Group supported employment
services shall not exceed 8,320 one-quarter hour units of service per CPOC
year, without additional documentation and approval..
4. All virtual supported employment services
must be approved by the local governing entity or the OCDD state
office.
G. Licensing
Requirements. The provider must possess a valid certificate of compliance as a
community rehabilitation provider (CRP) from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
or be licensed by the Department of Health as a home and community-based
services provider and must meet the module specific requirements for the
service being provided.
AUTHORITY
NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security
Act.
