N.H. Code Admin. R. He-E 801.31

Current through Register No. 25, June 20, 2024

Section He-E 801.31 - Supported Employment Services

(a) All supportive employment (SEP) services shall:

(1) Be designed in accordance with the participant's specific needs, interests, competencies, and learning style, as described in the person-centered comprehensive care plan developed in accordance with He-E 805 and employment profile; and

(2) Assist each participant to assume as much personal responsibility in job seeking and job retention as is possible for that participant.

(b) SEP shall be provided by an employment professional.

(c) Employment professionals shall:

(1) Meet one of the following criteria:

a. Have completed, or complete within the first 6 months of becoming an employment professional, training that meets the national competencies for job development and job coaching, as established by the Association of People Supporting Employment First's (APSE) "Universal Employment Competencies" (January 2019), available as noted in Appendix A; or

b. Have obtained the designation as a certified employment services professional through the Employment Services Professional Certification Commission (ESPCC), an affiliate of APSE; and

(2) Obtain 12 hours of continuing education annually in subject areas pertinent to employment professionals including, at a minimum:

a. Employment;

b. Customized employment;

c. Task analysis/systematic instruction;

d. Marketing and job development;

e. Discovery;

f. Person-centered employment planning;

g. Work incentives for individuals and employers;

h. Job accommodations;

i. Assistive technology;

j. Vocational evaluation;

k. Personal career profile development;

l. Situational assessments;

m. Writing meaningful vocational objectives;

n. Writing effective resumes and cover letters;

o. Understanding workplace culture;

p. Job carving;

q. Understanding laws, rules, and regulations;

r. Developing effective on the job training and supports;

s. Developing a fading plan and natural supports;

t. Self-employment; and

u. School to work transition.

(d) Payment for SEP shall include:

(1) All supported employment services identified in the provider care plan;

(2) Job opportunity development;

(3) Assistance, as needed, with employment including:

a. Job applications;

b. Resume-writing;

c. Obtaining references;

d. Development of a career portfolio;

e. Interview preparation; and

f. All other activities related to obtaining and maintaining employment except as described in (10) below;

(4) Training for the participant to learn the responsibilities and expectations of employment, including:

a. Acquiring or developing acceptable work standards and workplace behavior;

b. Adjusting to the job site and work culture; and

c. Using accommodations, including any customized modifications made to perform the job;

(5) Implementation of the fading plan;

(6) Consultations or contacts with the businesses and the participant, as needed to assist the participant to remain successfully employed;

(7) Outreach to employers for building relationships that lead to immediate or future job opportunities for the participant;

(8) Training for direct support staff as it relates to the participant's employment goals;

(9) Training for employers and co-workers to support the participant by understanding his or her:

a. Learning style;

b. Environmental needs;

c. Medical needs;

d. Physical needs; and

e. Safety needs;

(10) When combined with another employment service, transportation, and training in accessing transportation, as appropriate, to and from work;

(11) Referral, evaluation, and consultation for adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, communications technology, or other forms of assistive technology, and educational opportunities related to the participant's employment services and goals;

(12) Accessing work incentives information and work incentives planning services for the participant; and

(13) Any other employment service identified in the participant's provider care plan.

(e) All SEPs shall be designed to:

(1) Assist the participant to obtain employment or self-employment based on the participant's employment profile and goals in the provider care plan;

(2) Provide the participant with opportunities to participate in a comprehensive career development process that helps to identify, in a timely manner, the participant's employment profile;

(3) Support the participant to develop appropriate skills for job searching, including:

a. Creating a resume and employment portfolio;

b. Practicing job interviews; and

c. Learning soft skills that are essential for succeeding in the workplace;

(4) Assist the participant to become as independent as possible in his or her employment, internships, and education and training opportunities by:

a. Developing accommodations;

b. Utilizing assistive technology; and

c. Creating and implementing a fading plan;

(5) Help the participant to:

a. Meet his or her goal for the desired number of hours of work as articulated in the provider care plan; and

b. Earn wages of at least minimum wage or prevailing wage, unless the participant is pursuing income based on self-employment;

c. Assess, cultivate, and utilize natural supports within the workplace to assist the participant to achieve independence to the greatest extent possible;

d. Help the participant to learn about, and develop appropriate social skills to actively participate in, the culture of his or her workplace;

e. Understand, respect, and address the business needs of the participant's employer, in order to support the participant to meet appropriate workplace standards and goals;

f. Maintain communication with, and provide consultations to, the employer to:

1. Address employer specific questions or concerns to enable the participant to perform and retain his or her job; and

2. Explore opportunities for further skill development and advancement for the participant;

g. Help the participant to learn, improve, and maintain a variety of life skills related to employment, such as:

1. Traveling safely in the community;

2. Managing personal funds;

3. Utilizing public transportation; and

4. Other life skills identified in the person-centered comprehensive care plan related to employment;

h. Promote the participant's health and safety;

i. Protect the participant's right to freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

j. Provide opportunities for the participant to exercise personal choice and independence.

N.H. Code Admin. R. He-E 801.31

(See Revision Note at part heading for He-E 801) #9969, eff 8-8-11

Amended by Volume XXXIX Number 32, Filed August 8, 2019, Proposed by #12830, Effective 8/7/2019, Expires 2/3/2020.

Amended by Volume XLII Number 6, Filed February 10, 2022, Proposed by #13340, Effective 1/29/2022, Expires 1/29/2032.