The program director shall ensure that services:

1. A. Are designed to:

   1. (1) Support an individual in the public mental health system to be able to:

      1. (a) Choose, obtain, and maintain employment;
      2. (b) Make vocational decisions and career changes; and
   2. (2) Enhance an individual's natural supports;
2. B. Are provided in a flexible manner to support an individual's vocational plan throughout an individual's employment, including periods of unemployment;

3. C. Include:

   1. (1) Ongoing assessment and planning with an individual and, when appropriate, an individual's family or natural supports;
   2. (2) As needed, vocational training;
   3. (3) Marketing to industries in the community; and
   4. (4) Referral for services an individual needs, which are not provided by the program;

4. D. Promote placement in a work environment that:

   1. (1) Is free of recognized hazards likely to cause serious bodily injury or death and comply with any specific safety and health standards set for the industry;
   2. (2) If not free of all recognized hazards likely to cause serious bodily injury or death, provides information to employees regarding the exposure to hazardous materials and substances; and
   3. (3) Compensates individuals at least at minimum wage; and
5. E. Are adequate to support an individual's placement in a supported employment program or an agency-sponsored employment program.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§10-901 and 10-902, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: July 9, 2001 (28:13 Md. R. 1215)