Rehabilitation Services

Performance-Based Service Delivery System

January 1, 2006, Rehabilitation Services implemented an performance-based system for placement services funded by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. This change impacted how VR counselors authorize services and how service vendors report and are paid for the provision of those services. This information is intended to assist all affected parties.

Performance-Based Agreement Work Group - list of members, goals, tasks, information regarding other states' performance-based systems, and other resources.

Referrals for Placement / Retention Services

VR counselors make exclusive referral for these services to vendors with Operating Agreements. Referrals may be for supported or non-supported employment outcomes. Each outcome has specific milestone events, triggering the applicable payment upon receipt of minimal paperwork from the provider. Milestone events and applicable statewide rates are listed below for each outcome.

Placement with Time-Limited Supports

Placement with time-limited supports means an independent, integrated, single-site job in the community without ongoing employment support services after VR funding ends.

The system provides for a fixed payment at each of the following three competitive employment milestone events under a single authorization of $2,400. View a flowchart of this process and payment triggers.

1. Placement Plan: An individualized Placement Plan will be completed during a face-to-face meeting of the person served, VR counselor, and service provider, and signed by all parties. Service providers will develop their own unique Placement Plan formats. However, all plans must report the common plan elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the placement plan of $300.
2. Job Hire: Job hire is defined as the first complete, paid shift. If the person served takes a job on their own that is not consistent with their Placement Plan, the service provider will still get paid. However, no further payments can be made until an Amended Placement Plan is agreed upon. Service providers will develop their own unique reporting formats. However, all Reports of Hire must identify the common hire elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the job hire payment of $900.
3. Job Retention: This step reflects the point at which VR can take credit for the closure and after the last hour of authorized job coaching ends. The VR case record does not have to actually be closed; there may be other services still being provided. Service providers will develop their own unique reporting formats. However, all Job Retention Reports must report the common retention elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the retention payment of $1,200.

Placement with Ongoing Supports

Placement with ongoing supports means competitive employment with ongoing employment support services after VR funding ends.

The system rewards achievements by triggering a fixed payment at each of the following four supported employment milestone events under a single authorization of $2,900. View a flowchart of this process and payment triggers.

1. Placement Plan: An individualized Placement Plan will be completed during a face-to-face meeting of the person served, VR counselor, and service provider, and signed by all parties. Service providers will develop their own unique Placement Plan formats. However, all plans must report the common plan elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the placement plan payment of $300.
2. Job Hire: Job hire is defined as the first complete, paid shift. If the person served takes a job on their own that is not consistent with his/her Placement Plan, the service provider will still get paid. However, no further payments can be made until an Amended Placement Plan is agreed upon. Service providers will develop their own unique reporting formats. However, all Reports of Hire must identify the common hire elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the job hire payment of $900.
3. Job Stabilization: Job stabilization is the traditional time when funding has switched from the time-limited VR funds to the long-term ongoing support funds, i.e. Extended Employment, County, etc. The VR counselor places the file into "Employed Status" at this time. Service providers will develop their own unique reporting formats. However, all Job Stabilization Reports must identify the common stabilization elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the job stabilization payment of $700.
4. Job Retention: This step reflects the point at which VR can take credit for the closure and after the last hour of authorized job coaching ends. The VR case record does not have to actually be closed; there may be other services still being provided. Service providers will develop their own unique reporting formats. However, all Job Retention Reports must report the common retention elements to the VR counselor before payment may be issued for the retention payment of $1,000.

Note: Rehabilitation Services cannot make a job retention payment to a service provider that is also billing Medical Assistance - Home and Community Based Waivers (TBI, CADI, MR/RC) for Supported Employment.