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EMPLOYMENT FIRST

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Overvie​w

Employment services for individuals with​ intellectual and developmental disabilities from the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Oregon Department of Education​ (ODE) are organized alphabetically by topic area.

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Questions? For questions on employment policies related to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, email employment.first@odhsoha.oregon.gov.


Benefits Counseling

Benefits and Work Incentive Counseling services help people with disabilities make informed decisions about work, benefits and the use of work incentives to achieve their employment goals.​

Policy Documents and Related Infor​mation

  
  
ODDS Approved Benefits Counselors12/15/2021
Worker Guide ODDS Benefits Counseling3/25/2020
SSDI and Minimum Wage2/3/2020
SSI and Minimum Wage2/3/2020
Benefits Counseling Referral Process Flow Chart3/7/2019
SSDI and Employment Video9/14/2018
SSI and Employment Video9/14/2018
Maximizing Hours Video5/18/2018

Transmit​tals

  
  
  
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Career Development Plan

The Career Development Plan (CDP) identifies the individual's employment goals and objectives. The CDP is based on person-centered planning principles.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
OSAC Transition School to Work Guide10/1/2021
OSAC Guide to Community Employment5/8/2019
Employment Discussion Guide6/1/2016
Selecting Employment Providers5/1/2016
Transmitt​als
  
  
  
Career Development PlanCareer Development Plan Transmittal2/23/2018

Core Competencies/Trainin​g Requirements

ODDS and VR are committed to contracting employment services from qualified Employment Professionals who meet the training and competencies adopted by Oregon Employment First.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Department Approved Training Courses10/27/2021
Employment Professional Qualifications and Training Worker Guide6/28/2021
Worker Guide Employment Core Competency Trainings6/25/2021
ODDS Employment Core Competencies5/10/2021
Fillable Core Competency Checklist5/10/2021
Training Requirements for Employment Providers9/9/2019
Worker Guide - Employment Professional Qualifications and Training7/19/2019
Employment Professional Qualifications and Training6/28/2018
Employment Training and Conference CE Approval6/28/2018
Provider Site Assessment Resources4/20/2018
Core Competencies and Training Standards of Supported Employment Professionals12/5/2013

Transm​ittals

  
  
  
APD-IM-20-002Updated Department Approved Continuing Education Credit Training List1/10/2020
APD-IM-19-051Employment Professional Qualifications and Training7/19/2019

Competitive In​tegrated Employment

Competitive Integrated Employment is full or part-time work at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with co-workers without disabilities.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
ODDS Worker Guide for Employment Services Table of Contents3/10/2022
Vocational Rehabilitation and ODDS Service Crosswalk PowerPoint6/9/2021
Competitive Integrated Employment Toolkit1/13/2020
VR-AR-20-01 WIOA Competitive-Integrated-Employment-Toolkit1/13/2020
Worker Guide - Competitive Integrated Employment1/10/2020
OAR on Employment Services to Individuals with I/DD11/1/2019
VR Supported Employment Manual5/30/2019
Job Coaching Without VR Placement​​ Form3/29/2017
Worker Guide - Employment Stabilization3/29/2017
OAR 582-001 VR Definition for Competitive Integrated Employment1/1/2015

Transmitt​als

  
  
  
APD-IM-20-001Competitive Integrated Employment: ODDS and VR guidance on requirements for employment services1/13/2020
VR-IM-18-06Temporary, Seasonal, On-Call (Intermittent) Employment 3/16/2018
APD-PT-15-017Wage Requirements for ODDS Employment Services6/15/2017

Discov​ery

This is a person-centered, time-limited, employment planning service. It can help an individual obtain, maintain, or advance in a competitive integrated job at or above minimum wage. Activities in the service can vary and can identify an individual's interests, strengths, and abilities.

Policy Documents and Relate​​d Information - Effective 9/1/2​​021

  
  
Discovery Profile 20213/31/2022
Virtual Discovery Changes8/30/2021
Discovery Guidelines for SCs PAs and Providers Worker Guide7/1/2021
Instructions-Opening-Discovery-Profile4/14/2021
Discovery Employment Tour Prompts and Ideas3/23/2021
Discovery Home Visit Sample3/23/2021
Pre-Discovery Checklist3/23/2021
Discovery Experiential Components Worker Guide3/23/2021
Worker Guide - Worker Compensation Insurance Coverage6/16/2017
Video - Discovery1/8/2016

​​Transmittals

  
  
  
Virtual Discovery Changes Virtual Discovery Changes9/1/2021
APD-AR-14-042Authorization for Discovery Service7/8/2014

Employment Outcomes Sy​stem

The Employment Outcomes System (EOS) is a system for collecting semiannual data on the employment outcomes of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who are receiving employment services from ODDS. Job seekers can use this data to research employment providers in their area.​


Employment Path Co​mmunity

Employment Path Community Services should provide learning and work experiences. It may include volunteer opportunities. The goal of this service is for an individual to develop employment skills to be used in an integrated job.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Worker Guide - One to One “Solo” Employment Path Services5/25/2022
Employment Path Community Powerpoint4/25/2018
Worker Guide - Worker Compensation Insurance Coverage6/16/2017
Fact Sheet - Employment Path Community1/8/2016
Video - Employment Path Community1/8/2016

Transmitt​als

  
  
  
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Employment Stabilization and Competitive Integrated Employment

The Employment Stabilization Worker's Guide outlines the process related to transfers from VR-funded job coaching to ODDS-funded job coaching. It also specifies how and when ODDS can fund job coaching in its entirety.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Vocational Rehabilitation and ODDS Service Crosswalk PowerPoint6/9/2021
VR Supported Employment Manual5/30/2019
Job Coaching Without VR Placement​​ Form3/29/2017
Worker Guide - Employment Stabilization3/29/2017

Transmitt​als

  
  
  
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Other Service Requirement Documents​

The Expenditure Guidelines outline rates for employment services. There are three provider types that can provide employment services: Personal Support Workers can provide job coaching, Independent Contractors can provide Discovery, and Provider Agencies can provide all employment services. All of these rates are broken out by service and provider type in the Expenditure Guidelines.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Remote Employment and Day Support Activities (DSA) Services1/1/2023
ODDS Expenditure Guidelines7/1/2021
Transmitt​als

  
  
  
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Home and Communit​​y-Based Services

ODDS services are funded through the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program. New federal regulations specify that all HCBS services must be offered in integrated community settings. Those settings that do not comply have time to transition and come into compliance, as outlined in the state level transition plan and provider level transition plans.

Policy Documents and Rela​ted Information
  
  
  
Oregon HCBS Transition Plan1/1/2016
Oregon HCBS Website1/1/2016
Tools for Onsite Reviews - Employment Service SettingHCBS Monitoring Tool2/17/2016
HCBS Provider Self-AssessmentHCBS Monitoring Tool1/29/2016
Tools for Onsite Reviews - Day Service SettingsHCBS Monitoring Tool1/1/2016

Transmit​tals

  
  
  
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​Independent Contra​ctors

​​How to Become an Independent Contractor Guided Tool


Job Coac​​​hing

Job Coaching is a support service for an individual to maintain or advance in an individual job in a competitive integrated employment setting in the general workforce, including customized employment or self-employment.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Maintenance Job Coaching Request Form3/22/2023
Job Coaching Worker's Guide3/10/2022
Worker Guide ODDS Job Coaching Without VR3/10/2022
ODDS Worker Guide Retention Payments3/10/2022
ODDS Worker Guide for Employment Services Table of Contents3/10/2022
How to Become a PSW Job Coach Tool7/26/2021
Expenditure Guidelines7/1/2021
Personal Support Worker Employment Services Enrollment 6/30/2021
PSW Job Coach Resources Fact Sheet1/20/2021
Job Coach Fading Presentation12/11/2019
Personal Support Worker Job Coach Brochure11/29/2018
PSW Job Coach Video8/7/2018
How to Become a PSW Job Coach11/2/2017
Job Coaching Without VR Placement​​ Form3/29/2017
Fact Sheet - Job Coaching1/8/2016
Video - Job Coaching1/8/2016

Transm​ittals

  
  
  
Stipend Payments for PSWs with Job Coach SpecialtyStipend Payments for PSWs with Job Coach Specialty6/1/2020

Job Developme​nt​​

A Job Developer identifies job opportunities in the workplace where an individual's skills match the employer's need. Job Development may include support with the application and interview process, and visits with potential employers.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
Fact Sheet - Job Development1/8/2016
Video - Job Development1/8/2016

Lane v. Brown Settlem​ent

Lane v. Brown is a class action involving employment services that Oregon provides to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). A settlement was reached at the end of 2015, which was accepted and approved by the Oregon Federal District Court in January 2016.

Policy Documents and Rela​ted Information

  
  
Message - Settlement Requirements2/19/2016
Judge's Order Approving Settlement1/27/2016
Lane vs Brown Federal Settlement Agreement12/30/2015
Integrated Employment Plan7/6/2015
Governor's Executive Order 15-012/2/2015
Lane vs Brown Data Reports

Personal Assistance and Other Related Services​


Project SEARCH​

Project SEARCH is a successful employment service model where interns gain work experience while rotating in a series of nine-month internships. The goal is to leave with competitive integrated employment in the community.


Provider Requirem​ents​

Policy Documents and Rela​ted Information

  
  
Sample Employment DSA Monitoring Tool12/17/2021
ODDS Example Entry Checklist for Employment and DSA11/8/2019
Employment DSA Exit Map11/1/2019
OAR on Employment Services to Individuals with I/DD11/1/2019
Presentation-ODDS-Employment-Services-OAR-411-345-Administrative-Rule-Changes11/1/2019
employment-service-provider-requirements-2018-01-01.xlsb1/1/2018

Referral and Release of I​​nformation

Policy Documents and Rela​ted Information

  
  
Statewide Release Form 3010 English4/5/2021
Statewide Release Form 3010 Spanish4/5/2021
ODDS Example Entry Checklist for Employment and DSA11/8/2019
Worker's Guide Statewide Release of Information (form 3010)11/5/2019
Referral and Release Training Video10/22/2019
APD-IM-19-065- Revised Statewide Release of Information9/20/2019
Statewide Employment First Referral – Form 41308/7/2019
Worker Guide Statewide Employment First Referral and Release of Information4/2/2019
DHS 3010 Transmittal12/20/2018

Sheltered Workshop Se​ttings

​​As of September 2020, sheltered workshops services are no longer funded by ODDS. 


​Supported Self-Emplo​yment

Supported Self-Employment Worker Guide​ - 3/3/2022​


​Tier Review and Exce​ptions

The tier review process has been in effect since 2014 when ODDS started tier-based rates for employment and Day Support Activities. A Service Coordinator or Personal Agent would submit a request to ODDS for a tier review. If a provider is concerned that an individual's needs are not supported by their current tier, they can notify the SC/PA that a tier review is needed and provide supporting documents.

Transmi​ttals
  
  
  
APD-AR-14-019Funding Review and Exceptions 4/27/2015

Transition-age Youth S​ervices

Transition from school to work or post-secondary education involves a number of partners and activities and should begin well before students leave school. Transition services begin at age 16, or younger if the team determines it is necessary, and continues through age 21. In some cases, adult service providers may continue transition services up to age 24.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
OSAC Transition School to Work Guide10/1/2021
Oregon’s Transition Technical Assistance Plan 2015-20207/1/2021
Worker's Guide ODDS Employment Services Transition-age Individuals and Youth3/8/2019
Cooperative Agreement with VR ODDS and ODE5/16/2017
Mock Sheltered Workshop School-Based Business - Work Activity Self-Assessment Form2/13/2017
Mock Sheltered Workshop Flowchart9/22/2016
ODE Guidance - Avoiding Mock Sheltered Workshop Activities in Schools9/22/2016

Trans​mittals

  
  
  
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Transpor​tation

Individuals are eligible for community or Employment/Day Support Activity (DSA) transportation services, if they need daily living care supports either during transportation or at the destination and are receiving services through the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS). More information is available on the ODDS Transportation Services web page.


20-Hour Standard for Planning Employment Services

ODDS and VR policy for planning and implementing supported employment services is the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, recognizing that based on individual choice, preferences and circumstances, some people may choose to work at that level while others may not.

Policy Documents and Related​ Information

  
  
VR-IM-19-13 20-Hour Recommendation11/1/2019
Worker Guide 20 Hours and Maximizing Hours11/1/2019
Maximizing Hours Video5/18/2018

Transmi​ttals

  
  
  
Edit
VR-IM 19-13 20-hour Recommendation for Supported Employment Planning11/1/2019 
APD-IM-16-044ODDS 20 Hour Per Week Employment Services Planning Requirements5/13/2016 

FAQ Documents​ from VR/ODDS

  
  
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Meeting 1-25-20221/25/2022
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call 10-20-202010/26/2020
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call 7-14-20207/15/2020
Covid-related FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call 4-7-20204/9/2020
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call, 1-14-20201/15/2020
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call, 7-16-197/17/2019
FAQ from VR/ODDS Stakeholder Call, 4-2-194/2/2019
FAQ-from-VR_ODDS-Stakeholder-Call-1-29-20191/31/2019

Meeting minutes

  
  
Description
Minutes-EF-Policy-Group-2-2-20222/2/2022
Minutes EF Policy Group 2-2-2022
Minutes EF Policy Group-12-1-20211/5/2022
Minutes EF Policy Group 12-1-2021
Minutes-EF Policy Group 10-6-202111/3/2021
Minutes EF Policy Group 10-6-2021
Minutes-EF-Policy-Group-9-1-20219/29/2021
Meeting Minutes for September 2021 Executive Order Stakeholder Policy Group meeting. Employment First
Minutes-EF-Policy-Group-4-7-20216/2/2021
Meeting Minutes for April 2021 Executive Order Stakeholder Policy Group meeting. Employment First
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