New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 12 - LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 51 - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
Subchapter 20 - STANDARDS TO VEND SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Section 12:51-20.1 - Definitions

The following words and terms which apply to the supported employment program have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Competitive employment" means work in the competitive labor market that is performed weekly on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis in an integrated setting; and for which an individual is compensated at or above the 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 who are not disabled.

"Extended services" means on-going support services and other appropriate services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability in supported employment and that are provided by a State agency, a private nonprofit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource, from funds other than funds received under the basic Vocational Rehabilitation Program, after an individual with the most severe disabilities has made the transition from State vocational rehabilitation agency support. New Jersey DVRS has used the term "long term follow along services" to describe this element.

"Integrated setting" means a setting typically found in the community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled individuals other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to those applicants or eligible individuals, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other persons.

"On-going support services" means services that are:

1. Needed to support and maintain an individual with the most severe disabilities in supported employment.

2. Based on a determination by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services of the individual's needs as specified in an individualized plan for employment (IPE); and

3. Furnished by DVRS from the time of job placement until transition to extended services and, following transition, by one or more extended services providers throughout the individual's term of employment in a particular job placement or multiple placements if those placements are being provided under a program of transitional employment. On-going support services must include, at a minimum, twice-monthly monitoring at the work site of each individual in supported employment to assess employment stability, unless under special circumstances, especially at the request of the individual, the IPE provides for off-site monitoring, and, based upon that assessment, the coordination or provision of specific services at or away from the work site, that are needed to maintain employment stability. If off-site monitoring is determined to be appropriate, it must, at a minimum, consist of two meetings with the individual and one contact with the employer each month.

On-going support services consist of:

1. Any particularized assessment needed to supplement the comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation needs including such pre-placement services as are necessary to insure a good employee-job match;

2. The provision of skilled job trainers who accompany the individual for intensive job skill training at the work site;

3. Job development and placement;

4. Social skills training;

5. Regular observation or supervision of the individual;

6. Follow-up services such as regular contact with the employers, the individuals, the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or authorized representatives of the individuals, and other suitable professional and informed advisors, in order to reinforce and stabilize the job placement;

7. Facilitation of natural supports at the worksite;

8. Any other service identified in the scope of rehabilitation services; and

9. Any service similar to the foregoing services.

"Supported employment" means:

1. Competitive work in integrated work settings or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals are working towards competitive employment for individuals with the most severe disabilities:

i. For whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability; and

ii. Who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need intensive supported employment services from the designated State unit and extended services after transition in order to perform this work; or

2. Transitional employment for individuals with the most severe disabilities due to mental illness.

"Supported employment services" means on-going support services provided by the designated State unit with funds under this part:

1. For a period not to exceed 18 months, unless under special circumstances a longer period to achieve job stabilization has been jointly agreed to by the individual and the rehabilitation counselor and established in the individualized plan for employment, before an individual with the most severe disabilities makes the transition to extended services; and

2. As discrete post-employment services following transition in accordance with those items indicated under "Discrete post-employment services" listed under 34 C.F.R. 363.4(c)(3) concerning authorized activities.

"Transitional employment" means a series of temporary job placements in competitive work in an integrated work setting with on-going support services for individuals with the most severe disabilities due to mental illness. In transitional employment, the provision of on-going support services must include continuing sequential job placements until job permanency is achieved.