Employment First A-09

PURPOSE:

Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization (SCDDO) recognizes the importance of competitive, integrated employment for all individuals and will support the expectation that a primary focus on employment will be incorporated into the daily practices and ongoing personnel development at each community service provider (CSP) agency.

POLICY:

Competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first option when serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) who are of working age. SCDDO and the CSP will ensure that all persons are aware of support options available.

Used in this policy are terms defined in the Kansas Employment First Initiative Act:

Competitive Employment means work in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or 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.

Integrated Setting means with respect to an employment outcome, 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.

PROCEDURES:

1. As part of the SCDDO intake process, all individuals and families are informed of the Kansas Employment First Initiative Act and engaged in a conversation about job history/interest and local employment support resources. Types of local employment support resources discussed may include Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR), supported employment, benefits planning, or related work supports.
2. The person centered support plan (PCSP) will incorporate a competitive, integrated employment focus when the plan is first created and each time it is reviewed 
   1. Information about competitive, integrated employment options will be provided to all consumers without regard to the significance of their disabilities at the time of the PCSP and all subsequent reviews.
   2. Consumers will be asked what services they need to be more independent and what supports they need at home and on the job to be employed in a competitive setting.
   3. The PCSP will outline the action steps the team will take to overcome barriers to employment, if they exist.
   4. If any option other than community employment is pursued the PCSP should include documentation regarding informed choice and community experiences to explain the rationale.
3. SCDDO and/or CSPs will assist individuals interested in competitive, integrated employment in accessing benefits planning services.
4. Training for all supported employment and targeted case management staff will include information on the Kansas Employment First Initiative Act available through the designated SCDDO training system.