15.12 Extended Services

Extended services are the ongoing and other support services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability in supported employment. DVR is only able to fund extended services for youth through age 24 receiving supported employment services, and only if other funding sources are not available. When it is necessary for DVR to fund extended services, this funding is available for a period of up to four years or when the youth turns 25, whichever occurs first. The individual begins to receive extended services when they have achieved job stability, which means:

• The individual is reasonably expected to continue to perform all job duties acceptably without the provision of further vocational rehabilitation services beyond extended services;

• The individual, DVR Rehabilitation Counselor, employer, and support team agree that the employment is stable and satisfactory;

• It is anticipated that successful closure will be achieved once alternative funding is identified and extended services have been provided for not less than 90 days; and

• Extended services are sufficient to maintain the job.

(Procedure codes ES28002-01, ES28002-03)

Training services provided by an individual other than the employer (unless under a program of natural support in a supported employment placement) to an individual in supported employment after achieving job stability for a period not less than 90 days. ES - Job Coaching services include job skill training and coordination or provision of specific services at or away from the work site to maintain employment stability.

Payment Rate, ES Job Coaching, Individual

• $50.00 per hour of on-site instruction to an individual

• Up to 40 hours per month

Payment Rate, ES Job Coaching-Group

• $18.00 per hour of on-site instruction provided directly by the job coach to two or more individuals employed at the same work site

• Up to 40 hours per month

(Procedure codes ES31000-01, ES31000-05, ES31000-15, ES31000-16, ES31000-17)

Whenever available, public transportation is the primary option for participating in DVR services unless the individual’s impairment-related limitations prevent the use of public transportation.

Or, if the individual chooses to use his or her own vehicle when public transportation is available and accessible, DVR may provide mileage reimbursement at a rate not to exceed the cost of public transportation.

DVR may reimburse participants for use of a personal vehicle at a rate not to exceed the cost of available public transportation unless the individual’s impairment-related limitations prevent the use of public transportation. The cost of available public transportation is determined through review of local transit provider fares, taking into consideration potential eligibility for reduced fares for individuals with disabilities. A DVR Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement Log shall be completed to determine if the reimbursement will be at the equivalent rate of a bus pass or based on actual miles (whichever is less).

Any reimbursement is in accordance with State Fiscal Rule 5-1, State Controller’s Policy under the Mileage Reimbursement Rate. A higher mileage reimbursement rate for four-wheel drive vehicles is allowable only when necessary because of road, terrain, or adverse weather conditions. If the 4WD mileage reimbursement rate is requested, documentation substantiating the circumstance must be attached to the DVR Mileage Reimbursement Log.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license

• Current vehicle insurance

• Use of a registered vehicle

• Copies of these documents with the DVR Rehabilitation Counselor

• Monthly submission of DVR Vehicle Mileage Log

• Calculation and approval by the DVR Rehabilitation Counselor        

Cab fare may be paid only when the individual cannot utilize any other less expensive form of transportation, including public transportation.

Payment Rate

• Lowest available usual and customary rates, not to exceed fees charged to other individuals or entities under comparable circumstances.

• An additional fee, negotiated with the cab company, if the individual requires door-to- door pick-up and delivery assistance due to the disability

(ES31000-16, ES31000-17)

Curb-to-curb transportation is service due to disability unless the individual requires door-to- door pick-up and drop-off assistance due to disability. Curb-to-curb transportation services may be used only if the individual's circumstances preclude the utilization of other, less expensive means of transportation to a vocationally necessary service. Other considerations prior to authorizing curb-to-curb transportation services may include meeting at a less-distant location from the individual, a service provider traveling to the individual, and alternative meeting formats such as teleconferencing, etc. The payment rate is for the distance that the individual is transported only and does not include the distance that the transportation service travels to and from the individual.

Payment Rate

• Base rate $17.91 per one-way trip

• Add $2.07 per mile to base rate

• Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off assistance due to disability must be negotiated with provider in advance

(Procedure codes ES21250-01, ES21250-02, ES21350-01, ES21200-01, ES21200-02, ES21300-01¸ ES21300-02)

Training provided to help individuals in supported employment with disabilities develop compensatory skills and/or to adjust behavior in the areas of independent living, communications, homemaking, personal mobility, and ability to travel in the community, and personal functioning, to the extent necessary to support and maintain his/her current employment.

Facility-based PAT is PAT provided directly to an individual, this service is only utilized when an integrated community setting is not adequately available to meet the individual's needs.

Community-based PAT is PAT provided directly to an individual at the individual’s home or other community site.

Payment Rate, ES Facility-Based PAT for Persons with a Disability Other than Visual Impairment

• Monthly

  • 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

  • Up to $480.00 per month

  • Includes use of assistive technology devices necessary for the individual to participate in the training program

  • Covers all costs for the training, including preparation of periodic written reports

• Partial Months

  • 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

  • Up to $16.00 per hour

  • Includes use of assistive technology devices necessary for the individual to participate in the training program. Covers all costs for the training, including preparation of periodic written reports

Payment Rate, ES Facility-Based PAT for Persons with Visual Impairment (VI)

• Up to $4400.00 per month

• Includes all costs required for vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility, communications training, braille instruction, daily living skills training, basic computer orientation, home maintenance instruction, instruction in personal management, social development, self-esteem building, and adjustment to blindness, and the use of assistive technology devices necessary for the individual to participate in the training program.

• Covers costs associated with the preparation of periodic written reports

Payment Rate, ES Community-Based PAT for Persons with a Disability Other than Visual Impairment

• Monthly

  • 30+ hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

  • Up to $1950.00

  • Covers all costs for instruction, including preparation of monthly written reports

• Partial Months

  • 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

  • Up to $65.00 per hour

  • Covers all costs for instruction, including preparation of monthly written reports

Payment Rate, ES Community-Based PAT for Persons with Visual Impairment (VI)

• Monthly: Applies to a full month of direct on-site instruction to an individual (30+ hours)

  • Up to $4500.00 per month

  • Covers instructional costs for all components of a vision rehabilitation therapy program and mobility training, including the preparation of periodic written reports

• Partial Months: 1-29 hours of direct on-site instruction to an individual

  • Up to $150.00 per hour

  • Covers instructional costs for all components of a vision rehabilitation therapy program and mobility training, including preparation of periodic written reports

(Procedure code ES55501-01)

A separate payment can be made for the purchase of assistive technology devices necessary for individuals to participate at the lowest available usual and customary rates.