La. Admin. Code tit. 50 § XXI-13913

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XXI-13913 - Supported Employment

A. Supported employment is competitive work in an integrated work setting, or employment in an integrated work setting in which the beneficiaries are working toward competitive work that is consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, interests, and informed choice of beneficiaries for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred. The beneficiary must be eligible and assessed to need the service in order to receive supported employment services. The outcome of this service is sustained paid employment and work experience leading to further career development and individual integrated community-based employment for which an individual is compensated at or above 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 without disabilities.

B. Individuals eligible for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) must access those services prior to utilizing home and community based waiver supported employment services.

C. Supported employment is conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites in which persons without disabilities are employed. Supported employment cannot be provided at worksites that are facility based, or other similar types of vocational services furnished in specialized facilities that are not part of the general workplace. Supported employment includes activities needed by waiver beneficiaries to sustain paid work, including supervision and training and is based on an individualized service plan. Supported employment may include assistance and prompting with:

1. personal hygiene;

2. dressing;

3. grooming;

4. eating;

5. toileting;

6. ambulation or transfers;

7. other personal care and behavioral support needs; and

8. any medical task which can be delegated.

D. Supported Employment Models. Reimbursement for supported employment includes an individualized service plan for each model.

1. Individual supported employment one-to-one services include all aspects of the supported employment, process including assessments, development, placement, job retention, and stabilization that are necessary to get an individual to work in an individual competitive job in the community.

2. Follow-along support services provide ongoing supports to individuals and their employers who need the support to maintain their job in integrated work settings in the general workforce. The amount of support is determined for each individual based on the individual's ability to be independent in the job. Follow-along services may be delivered virtually.

3. Group employment is an employment setting in which a group of two to eight beneficiaries work to complete jobs in a variety of locations in the community under the supervision of an employment specialist in a manner that promotes integration into the workplace and interaction between beneficiaries and people without disabilities in those workplaces that are in the community.

E. Service Exclusions

1. Supported employment services shall not be used in conjunction or simultaneously with any other waiver service, except substitute family care, supported independent living, and skilled nursing services. Virtual follow-along supported employment services cannot be utilized at the same time as any other service.

2. When supported employment services are provided at a work site in which persons without disabilities are employed, payment will be made only for the adaptations, supervision and training required by beneficiaries receiving waiver services as a result of his/her disabilities, and will not include payment for the supervisory activities rendered as a normal part of the business setting.

3. Supported employment services are not available to beneficiaries who are eligible to participate in programs funded under section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or sections 602(16) and (17) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1401(26) and (29), as amended, and those covered under the Medicaid State Plan, if applicable.

F. Service Limits

1. Individual supported employment one-to-one services shall not exceed 2,880 one-quarter hour units (15 minute increments) per CPOC year.

2. Both individual and virtual supported employment follow-along services shall not exceed 960 one-quarter hour units (15 minute increments) per CPOC year.

3. Group supported employment services shall not exceed 8,320 one-quarter hour units of service per CPOC year, without additional documentation and approval..

4. All virtual supported employment services must be approved by the local governing entity or the OCDD state office.

G. Licensing Requirements. The provider must possess a valid certificate of compliance as a community rehabilitation provider (CRP) from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services or be licensed by the Department of Health as a home and community-based services provider and must meet the module specific requirements for the service being provided.

La. Admin. Code tit. 50, § XXI-13913

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Community Supports and Services, LR 30:1205 (June 2004), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 33:1649 (August 2007), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 40:74 (January 2014), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 4453 (1/1/2018), Amended LR 481550 (6/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.