1. (a) Customized employment means competitive integrated employment for an individual with a significant disability that is:

   1. (1) Based on an individualized determination of the unique strengths, needs, and interests of the individual with a significant disability;
   2. (2) Designed to meet the specific abilities of the individual with a significant disability and the business needs of the employer; and

   3. (3) Carried out through flexible strategies, such as:

      1. (A) Job exploration by the individual; and
      2. (B) Working with an employer to facilitate placement including:

2. (i) Customizing a job description based on current employer needs or on previously unidentified and unmet employer needs;

   1. (ii) Developing a set of job duties, a work schedule and job arrangement, and specifics of supervision (including performance evaluation and review), and determining a job location;

      1. (iii) Using a professional representative chosen by the individual, or if elected self-representation, to work with an employer to facilitate placement; and

         1. (iv) Providing services and supports at the job location.

3. (b)

   1. (1) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Employment First (E1st) career pathways are available through external certified employment vendors, known as community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) and/or supported employment providers.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) An individual’s employment can occur during any benchmark service timeframe.
      2. (B) Vendors are encouraged to place individuals who are work ready as efficiently as possible.

   3. (3) The following services can be provided through these entities.

      1. (c) Benchmark 1: Discovery process service.

   4. (1)

      1. (A) Up to sixty (60) hours over a four-to-six-week timeframe.
      2. (B) Discovery process service is a person-centered, comprehensive employment planning service to assist Arkansas Rehabilitation Services clients to determine their employment preferences, career direction, and result in the development of the individual career profile.
      3. (C) The discovery process service is a time-limited service consisting of gathering information about the individual’s interests, strengths, likes, dislikes, skills, abilities, types of preferred work environments, and supports available if needed for successful employment.

   5. (2) The following activities may be a component of discovery process services:

      1. (A) Person-centered comprehensive employment planning;
      2. (B) Information gathering sessions in the individual’s natural environment;
      3. (C) Interviewing friends, family, or other support systems familiar with the individual;
      4. (D) Determining supports of family, friends, or other;
      5. (E) Identifying employment preferences (interests, strengths, likes, dislikes, skills, abilities, types, and supports);
      6. (F) Functional/situational assessments in multiple environments in community integrated settings;
      7. (G) Job exploration;
      8. (H) Job shadowing;
      9. (I) Job and task analysis activities;
      10. (J) Employment preparation (i.e., soft skills: resume development, interviewing, work attire, hygiene, etc.);
      11. (K) Benefits counseling;
      12. (L) Business plan development for self-employment; and
      13. (M) Time limited.

   6. (3)

      1. (A) Outcome: Individual career profile (Discovery Staging Record).
      2. (B) The individual career profile must include specific recommendations regarding the individual’s employment support needs, preferences, abilities, and characteristics of an optimal work environment.

      3. (C) It must specify if education, training, or skill development is necessary to achieve the individual’s employment or career goals and how to address as applicable.

         1. (d) Benchmark 2: Employment path (prevocational) services up to twenty (20) days.
   7. (1) Employment path services provide learning opportunities, including soft skills, and work-based experiences/internships, including volunteer opportunities, where the individual can develop work-related strengths and skills contributing to employability in integrated community settings.

   8. (2) This service will be available after the:

      1. (A) Individual has attempted two (2) job experiences; and
      2. (B) Vendor has identified extensive work skills are essential for the individual to work successfully.

   9. (3) The following activities may be a component of employment path services:

      1. (A) Assessments determining learning styles and behaviors;

      2. (B) Work habits:

         1. (i) Attendance;
         2. (ii) Punctuality;
         3. (iii) Industriousness;
         4. (iv) Effort;
         5. (v) Following instructions; and
         6. (vi) Adaptability;

      3. (C) Communication skills:

         1. (i) Office etiquette;
         2. (ii) Frustration level;
         3. (iii) Accepting feedback; and
         4. (iv) Constructive criticism;

      4. (D) Appearance:

         1. (i) Grooming;
         2. (ii) Appropriate dress; and
         3. (iii) Personal hygiene;

      5. (E) Work attitudes:

         1. (i) Interest;
         2. (ii) Self-confidence;
         3. (iii) Dependability;
         4. (iv) Initiative;
         5. (v) Motivation; and
         6. (vi) Cooperation;
      6. (F) Interviewing skills (mock interview);

      7. (G) Work tolerance:

         1. (i) Attention span;
         2. (ii) Handling pressure; and
         3. (iii) Flexibility to change task; and

      8. (H) Life skills:

         1. (i) Independent living; and
         2. (ii) Self-advocacy.
   10. (4) Outcome: Determination for continued service path leading to an employment outcome.

4. (e) Benchmark 3: Job development/placement service.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Job development/placement service focuses on creating job opportunities by utilizing the individual career profile with the goal of obtaining employment.

      2. (B) The process of obtaining a job may involve one (1) or more of three (3) approaches:

         1. (i) Independent job searches;
         2. (ii) Assisted job search; and
         3. (iii) Arranged job searches.
      3. (C) Once an approach is identified, a job development plan is jointly created by the individual and his or her support team to outline the specific activities for pursuing employment.

   2. (2) The following job development services activities may be a component of the plan:

      1. (A) Business and labor market research;
      2. (B) Identifying and creating job opportunities;
      3. (C) Assist the individual with a job search;
      4. (D) Informational interviewing about the business;
      5. (E) Arrange job tours;
      6. (F) Contact employers known to work with people with disabilities;
      7. (G) Cold call potential employers;
      8. (H) Network with potential employers and employer education;
      9. (I) Network with family and friends for job leads;
      10. (J) Research current minimum wage and labor laws at http://www.dol.gov/;

      11. (K) Soft skills training, if not provided through employment path services:

          1. (i) Create letters of introduction;
          2. (ii) Resume development;
          3. (iii) Job search abilities and interview skills; and
          4. (iv) Workplace attire (hygiene) and work behaviors expectations;

      12. (L) Define accommodations/job restructuring, such as:

          1. (i) Job analysis;
          2. (ii) Work schedule;
          3. (iii) Job sharing or job carving;
          4. (iv) Work responsibilities;
          5. (v) Work materials and equipment; and
          6. (vi) Assistive technology;
      13. (M) Work site modifications, identifying, modifying, and eliminating environmental barriers; and
      14. (N) Benefits counseling.

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Vendors are required to hold a staffing every ninety (90) days if employment has not been secured.
      2. (B) Once employed, the vendor is to inform the counselor.
      3. (C) Individual must receive their first paycheck and a copy must be sent with billing form to the counselor.
      4. (D) Monthly reports are required.

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Outcome: Job placement completed.
      2. (B) Individual obtains a job in competitive integrated employment working twenty (20) hours or more a week and making not less than the higher of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq., or the rate specified in the applicable state or local minimum wage law.

5. (f) Benchmark 4, employment closure (90 days): Successful competitive integrated employment.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) The individual has stayed employed for a minimum of ninety (90) days, working twenty (20) hours a week and not less than the higher of the Fair Labor Standards Act or the rate specified in the applicable state or local minimum wage law.
      2. (B) Monthly reports are required.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Outcome: Successful employment for ninety (90) days.
      2. (B) The individual and employer are satisfied with the employment outcome, and the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services counselor agrees this qualifies as a successful closure.

6. (g) Procedures — Customized employment.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Complete the Certificate of Eligibility.
      2. (B) See Appendix E.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Complete the IPE utilizing informed choice.
      2. (B) The counselor will indicate the extended service provider on the IPE at plan development.
   3. (3) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will purchase services on a fee-for-service basis.
   4. (4) For services to begin Benchmark 1, counselor sends a referral letter and the provider sends an acceptance letter.
   5. (5) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services sends an RS-315 for each benchmark service.
   6. (6) Benchmark 1 and Benchmark 3 require the Discovery Staging Record for documentation as reports in the ECF.

   7. (7)

      1. (A) Benchmark 2, employment path, requires justification memo based on need from the provider to the counselor for approval and for this service to be authorized.
      2. (B) Document in the ECF.

   8. (8)

      1. (A) Benchmark 3, job development/placement, requires a copy of the individual’s first paycheck with the billing form.
      2. (B) Document in the ECF.
   9. (9) Required information must be keyed into the case management system for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services purchase authorization.

   10. (10)

       1. (A) When the billing statement is received, verify the individual received the service.
       2. (B) Document in the ECF.

   11. (11)

       1. (A) Required information must be keyed into the case management system for payment.
       2. (B) Support staff will be responsible for making payments.
       3. (C) Payment will not be processed without an attached bill from the vendor.

   12. (12) Benchmark specifics:

       1. (A)

          1. (i) Benchmark 1.
          2. (ii) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services received the Discovery Staging Record with stages 1–5 completed.
          3. (iii) No monthly reports required.
          4. (iv) Providers can bill each component (referral and each job experience) or wait until completion of Benchmark 1;

       2. (B)

          1. (i) Benchmark 2, employment path (Status 18).
          2. (ii) A justification memo based on need from the provider to the counselor for this service to be authorized.
          3. (iii) Up to one hundred (100) hours within twenty (20) days of training for career readiness, soft skills, self-determination, self-advocacy, and/or independent living skills related to employment (as in accessing transportation or AT).
          4. (iv) Monthly report or reports required, signed by the individual;

       3. (C)

          1. (i) Benchmark 3, job development/placement (Status 18 – Status 22 once employed).
          2. (ii) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services receives the Discovery Staging Record (DSR) stages 6-7, pages 9-12 of the DSR, as the monthly report, signed by the individual until employed.
          3. (iii) Once employed, the provider is to notify the counselor.
          4. (iv) ALL Services Job Match/Placement form is used for monthly reporting.
          5. (v) Employment must be in a competitive integrated setting for twenty (20) hours or more at minimum wage or above for ninety (90) days.
          6. (vi) A copy of the individual’s first paycheck must be received with the billing form for payment; and

       4. (D)

          1. (i) Benchmark 4, closure (Status 22).
          2. (ii) Individual has been employed for ninety (90) days successfully.
          3. (iii) The individual and their employer must be satisfied with the employment outcome.
          4. (iv) The individual is eligible for a successful Status 26 closure using ALL Services Employment Closure Final Report form.
          5. (v) Monthly reports required signed by the individual.

Codification Notes: “ECF” means electronic case file. "IPE" means individualized plan for employment.