Section 22-A3704. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

 

3704.1Supported employment is designed for consumers who are seriously and persistently mentally ill and have a primary diagnosis from the DSM-IV-TR on Axis I, or a primary diagnosis on Axis II of a Personality Disorder, for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of the disability.

 

3704.2Supported Employment involves community-based employment in integrated work settings that is consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice of the consumer. 

 

3704.3 An evidence-based supported employment program includes the following services:

 

(a)Intake, which involves obtaining background, clinical, and employment information in order to enroll the consumer into the evidence-based supported employment program and initiate a referral to RSA;         

 

(b)Vocational Assessment, which consists of conducting vocational assessments, and assessment of person-centered employment information in order to identify the individual’s employment interests, preferences, and abilities;

 

(c)Individualized Work Plan (IWP) development, which includes the process of developing  a plan with the consumer that includes an employment goal and the support services required to reach the goal, such as integrating employment goals into the IRP, strategies to address stressor situations, assistance with symptom self-monitoring and self management, and assistance in increasing social support skills and networks that ameliorate life stresses resulting from the Consumer’s mental illness or emotional disturbance and are necessary to enable and maintain the consumer’s independent living;

 

(d)Supported Employment job club, which  assists consumers in understanding how to complete job applications, effective interviewing techniques, resume writing, appropriate grooming, hygiene, and dress for work situations;

 

(e)Benefits counseling, which  helps consumers to examine and understand how employment may impact benefits such as supplemental security income (SSI), social  security disability income (SSDI), medical assistance, and other disability-related benefits, and may also involve advocacy on behalf of the person to resolve issues;

 

(f)Treatment team coordination, which involves coordination and contact with treatment team members regarding the provision of evidence-based supported employment services;

 

(g)Job development, which involves contacting employers through various activities in order to obtain community-based employment for consumers;

 

(h)Time limited job coaching, which helps consumers learn job duties once employed through on-the-job training, effective use of community resources, and consultation with the worker’s employer, coworkers, family or supervisors as necessary for a maximum of ninety (90) days;

 

(i)Unlimited ongoing job coaching, which involves the provision of on and off-the-job supports to help a consumer manage his or her illness to  achieve personal recovery goals, including employment, and resolve challenges, disruptions, and conflicts in the person’s life that negatively impact on the consumer’s health and ability to work; 

 

(j)Job assistance, which involves assisting the consumer with management of mental illness, with requirements of employment, such as teaching and reinforcing previously learned strategies for controlling emotions, focusing on tasks, assertiveness, utilization of coping techniques, socialization, boundary issues, averting crises, and crisis intervention to help prevent symptom exacerbation and minimize disruptions to employment; and

 

(k)Time unlimited follow-along supports for the consumer and employer which include:

 

(1) Consumer follow-along supports,  including crisis intervention, job coaching, treatment changes, travel training, job support groups, and career counseling; and

 

(2)Employer supports, including working with the employer to make reasonable accommodations to enhance job performance, contacting the employer to monitor progress and resolve issues, and working with the employer and consumer to establish effective supervision and feedback strategies.

 

authority

The Director of the Department of Mental Health (Department), pursuant to the authority set forth in sections 104 and 105 of the Department of Mental Health Establishment Amendment Act of 2001, effective December 18, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-56; D.C. Official Code §§ 7-1131.04 and 7-1131.05 (2008 Repl.)).

source

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 10330, 10334 (December 9, 2011).