4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 marcgold.com Marc Gold &...

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102

Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 marcgold.com

Marc Gold & Associates©

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Discovery and Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Strategies for negotiating with VR to have Discovery funded as a

substitute for traditional comparative assessment



Resources for Discovery at marcgold.com

Marc Gold & Associates

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Marc Gold & Associates© 3

Customized Process

• Discovery• Capturing discovery through profiles• Customized, person-centered planning• Portfolio/visual resume development• Job development and negotiationHere, CE dovetails with Supported Employment

• Job site analysis, accommodations, support



Discovery

“Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different”

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (Nobel Prize winner who discovered Vitamin C)


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The essence of discovery

Discovery: to gain insight or knowledge of something previously unseen or unknown; to notice or realize; to make known, reveal, disclose




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The role of discovery

Discovery provides, in a non-traditional, common-sense form, the information needed to determine the strengths, needs, and interests* of any person with complex life issues.

This is accomplished by simply addressing the question, “Who is this person?”

* From DOL/ODEP definition



The focus of discovery

• Conditions for Success• Interests toward an aspect of the

Labor Market• Potential Contributions to Employers



Marc Gold & Associates 8

Characteristics of an Ideal Job

Conditions are characteristics of any job developed for the individual. Conditions refer to issues such as days of work, pay, benefits, location of the job, inside/outside work, time of day, hours per week, etc. While it is possible to have too many conditions, these are extremely important considerations in customizing a job. Target go/no go conditions for priority consideration.





Interests are characteristics of an ideal job that gives direction toward a certain area of work interest. These should be stated in the broadest possible manner, allowable by the applicant. Interests might include: working around boats, office work or working in a retail setting. Do not confuse work preferences with preferentially-stated conditions. Avoid using job titles.





Contributions refer to the individual’s characteristics that will be offered to employers. These might include:

Personality characteristicsSkillsCredentialsExperiencesRecommendations



Self-concept

Siblings

Close friends

Extended family/relatives

Educators

Co-workers

Professionals in our lives

Parents

We are all like pieces in a complex jig-saw puzzle

Old friends

Community members

Who is this

person?



Discovery finds the pieces and puts them together

This is who I am.Profile




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Discovery as an alternative to traditional assessment

• Discovery seeks to identify already-existing information rather than developing information solely for the purposes of evaluation or diagnosis.

• Identifying a direction for employment is based on a translation of typical activities of the person’s life rather than on a comparison of the individual with others or with standards.




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Discovery and Traditional Procedures

• The discovery process focuses more on ecological validity than predictive validity. It is more important that the direction to employment makes sense in relation to a person's life than to attempt to predict success based on test performance.

• The information of discovery is used only as a guide for matching and customization and may not used to systematically exclude a person from employment.




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Discovery and Traditional Procedures

• By implementing discovery, we try to identify the real complexities faced by the individual and attempt to negotiate and match employment that fits, rather than putting the burden of resolving complexities solely on the individual.

• The profile strategy seeks to empower and involve applicants, their families and friends rather than to exclude them. Natural, common sense approaches to employment are given priority over strategies which rely solely on professional judgment and service.



Translation vs. Comparison

The finesse of discovery is to identify typical aspects of life and to translate those activities into Conditions for success, Interests toward employment and potential Contributions to be offered to employers.

Comparative assessment pits job seekers against the performance of others and predicts the likelihood of success.



The regulations of the current Rehab Act of 1998

Source of information:Federal Register: January 17, 2001 (Volume 66,

Number 11)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 4379-4435]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [Page 4379]

Part VI Department of Education, 34 CFR Part 361 State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program; Final Rule


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The Current Regs in the VR Act: Eligibility

“Any applicant who has been determined eligible for Social Security benefits under Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act is–

(A)Presumed eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section; and

(B)(B) Considered an individual with a significant disability as defined in Sec. 361.5(b)(31).”


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The Current Regs in the VR Act: Presumption of Benefit

The designated State unit must presume that an applicant who meets the eligibility requirements … can benefit in terms of an employment outcome unless it demonstrates, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the applicant is incapable of benefiting in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services due to the severity of the applicant's disability.


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The Current Regs in the VR Act: Clear and Convincing Evidence

“Prior to any determination that an individual with a disability is incapable of benefiting from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome because of the severity of that individual's disability, the designated State unit must conduct an exploration of the individual's abilities, capabilities, and capacity to perform in realistic work situations to determine whether or not there is clear and convincing evidence to support such a determination.”


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The Current Regs in the VR

Act: Assessment Requirements

“The designated State unit must develop a written plan to assess periodically the individual's abilities, capabilities, and capacity to perform in work situations through the use of trial work experiences, which must be provided in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the informed choice and rehabilitation needs of the individual.”


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The Current Regs in the VR Act: Trial Work Experiences

Trial work experiences include supported employment, on-the-job training, and other experiences using realistic work settings. (iii) Trial work experiences must be of sufficient variety and over a sufficient period of time for the designated State unit to determine that-- (A) There is sufficient evidence to conclude that the individual can benefit from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome; or (B) There is clear and convincing evidence that the individual is incapable of benefiting from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome due to the severity of the individual's disability.


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Comparative Assessments

In other words, comparative assessments should not be used to determine “presumption of benefit” by VR.

Similarly, the use of the Discovery strategy proceeds from an expectation of presumption of benefit for the individual, regardless of the severity of disability.


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The Current Regs in the VR Act: Assessments

The designated State unit must conduct an assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs, if appropriate, for each eligible individual...

The purpose of this assessment is to determine the employment outcome, and the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services to be included in the IPE.


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Comparative Assessments

In other words, comparative assessments are not required for the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment by the regulations of the Rehab Act.

This opens the door for the use of Discovery as an alternative to the traditional assessment procedures used by many states.


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Wisconsin: A case example

Wisconsin’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation participated in a Customized Employment pilot project that resulted in the inclusion of Discovery as an alternative for traditional “supported employment assessments” for individual wanting customized, supported employment.


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Tech Specs for Supported Employment Assessment

• Provider fee = $800 due at completion

• Work skills, money management, learning modality, transportation, mobility, work tolerance, social skills, employment disincentives, strengths, supports, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills as it relates to the consumer's ability to maintain employment in the community.

• At a minimum, 80% must occur in the community. The assessment should not exceed 60 days. This Assessment does NOT include observations or evaluations conducted in simulated or congregate work environments. Examples of community observations include going to lunch, shopping or visiting community work sites with the consumer.


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Tech Specs for Supported Employment Assessments

• Interviews with the consumer and significant others.

• Short-term job tryouts - these are paid (subsidized by DVR as needed) brief periods of direct observation and coaching. A minimum of 8 hours direct observation at one or more job sites is required during the assessment.

• Job coaching required for the short-term job tryouts is included in the Supported Employment Assessment.


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Tech Specs for Discovery

• Provider fee = $800, due at completion• Facilitation of a meeting held prior to discovery • Make two to three visits to the individual’s

home • Observation of the neighborhood/area near to

the individual’s home• Interviews with persons, both paid and not

paid to deliver services• Observations of the individual of concern as

they participate in typical life activities


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• Participation with the individuals of concern as they participate in typical life activities outside of their home.

• Participation in a familiar activity in which the individual is at his/her best and most competent.

• Participation in a novel activity in which the individual is interested in participating but has not yet had the chance to do so.


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• Conduct a review of existing records, memorabilia and other documents that are available.

• Develop Discovery notes and photos and collect other materials such as personal memorabilia.

• Complete Part I of the Customized Activity Log that details time spent in the process.

• Complete Parts I, II and III of the MG&A Profile forms to develop a comprehensive report of Discovery.


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Suggestions for negotiating discovery to be an alternative to traditional assessment

1. Read and understand the regulations concerning the use of assessments in the VR system

2. Become knowledgeable about Discovery through reading and practice

3. Review your state’s plan and/or technical specifications concerning the use of assessments


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Suggestions for negotiating discovery to be an alternative

to traditional assessment4. Approach a VR counselor, with whom you

have a relationship, with information on Discovery and with an individual

– Offer sample notes and profile– Explain the process of Discovery

5. Offer to provide Discovery at the same rate as traditional assessments

6. Offer to provide a data log with your time and activities


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Suggestions for negotiating discovery to be an alternative

to traditional assessment7. Offer to complete a profile form that

provides a description of the individual as well as a preparation for a customized plan for employment

8. Offer to complete discovery and profile in the same timeframe as traditional assessment


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Discovery facts

• Average hours required for Discovery = 20 hours (range 16-24 hrs)

• Average time frame for Discovery = 4 weeks (range 3 – 6 wks)

• We recommend a team effort of 2 – 3 members while learning discovery

• Average rate paid by VR = $700 - $1,000

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 marcgold.com Marc Gold &...

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