New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 12 - LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 51 - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
Subchapter 8 - EXTENDED (SHELTERED) EMPLOYMENT
Section 12:51-8.1 - Extended (sheltered) employment

(a) Extended (sheltered) employment is a program designed to provide long term employment by the community rehabilitation program of a client/worker who is presently unable to work in the competitive labor market as provided for in 34:16-40(e). The program has available all the services of the basic vocational rehabilitation program (Title I) provided by DVRS at a lower level of intensity and without the time constraints of the basic vocational rehabilitation program for those individuals choosing non-integrated employment or for those requiring such services to prepare for integrated employment. The achievement of at least 20 percent of the normal production level is required for these persons to be individually certified by DVRS. For those individuals choosing extended employment as a long-term goal, extended employment may be entered without a PVE or WAT for a trial period of up to 50 days during which 20 percent productivity must be achieved in order to be certified as an extended employee. Those individuals who are unable to reach the required 20 percent productivity within that period will be referred to an alternate funding source. For individuals continuing to pursue integrated employment, extended employment can be entered from a PVE or WAT program provided that 20 percent productivity is achieved.

(b) The services available to extended (sheltered) employees must include evaluation, counseling, work adjustment, and placement. A case record shall be maintained on each individual which shall include documentation of all services provided to the extended (sheltered) employee.

(c) The case record will also include an individual rehabilitation plan which will be developed in concert with the evaluation and participation of the extended (sheltered) employee. The case record is the primary source of documentation and must be updated every three months.

(d) Each extended (sheltered) employee will participate in a formal semi-annual review with an appropriate professional staff member and modification will be made of the individual's rehabilitation plan as indicated by progress or lack of the same.

(e) Case records will include regular quarterly notation of client earnings as a percentage of competitive pay on jobs. Specific explanations are required in those instances where an individual is earning over 50 percent of the competitive rate and is not involved in active efforts toward competitive placement. Active placement efforts in progress must be documented.

(f) The ratio for floor supervision shall be one supervisor to 20 clients. Floor supervisors shall not be absent from the floor due to other assigned duties not related to floor supervision (for example, contract procurement). Staff meetings, safety committee, etc., are considered regular supervisory responsibilities.

(g) In computing supervisor ratio in satellite facilities, off-site, or crew labor programs, these will be considered as separate entities. While counseling and placement services need not be "on site" full time, all services must be available on a regularly scheduled basis.

(h) When a staff vacancy exists through illness or separation that is expected to last more than 10 consecutive days, the facility must notify the DVRS program specialist. If it appears the vacancy will exist beyond 10 days, the facility will submit, in writing, a plan for assuring continued services to client.

(i) For the purposes of standards compliance, a position will be considered vacant for 40 work days. After 40 work days, the position will be considered not to exist until such time as it is filled.

(j) Each facility is expected to place a percentage of its extended (sheltered) employees in competitive employment each year. It is recognized that economic considerations will impact on performance in this area and consideration will be given for economic factors.

(k) Physical plant facilities must comply with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities standards for "Health and Safety."

(l) A client who is released early for medical appointments shall be considered to have attended the full day for purposes of counting program days unless such early releases occur on more than five percent of the days he or she is present.