R539.  Human Services, Services for People with Disabilities.
R539-9.  State Supported Employment Program.
R539-9-1.  Purpose and Authority.
	(1)  The purpose of this rule is to provide:
	(a)  procedures and standards for the determination of eligibility for the Division's state supported employment program for Persons on the Division's Waiting List as specified in R539-2-4.
	(2)  This rule is authorized by Section 62A-5-103.1

R539-9-2.  Definitions.
	(1)  Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 62A-5-101, and
	(2) "Supported Employment" means "competitive work" in integrated work settings or employment in "integrated work" settings where individuals are working toward competitive employment, consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individuals, for individuals with the most significant disabilities.
	(3)  "Competitive Work" means employment in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting; and for which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals who are not disabled.
	(4)  "Integrated Work" means job sites where most employees are not disabled, where a client interacts on a regular basis, in the performance of job duties, with employees who are not disabled. If a client is part of a distinct work group of only individuals with disabilities, the work group should consist of no more than eight individuals.
	(5)  "Extended Services" means on-going support services and other appropriate services, needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability in employment.  They are provided singly or in combination and are organized and made available in such a way as to assist an eligible individual in maintaining supported employment.  Extended services are based on a determination of the needs of an eligible individual.  Extended services may include natural supports, such as volunteers, family members, co-workers, employer, supervisors, students, and Plan for Achieving Self Support or Impairment Related Work Expense.

R539-9-3.  Eligibility.
	(1)  A Person who meets the eligibility requirements listed in Section 62A-5-103.1 may participate in the state supported employment program provided that:
	(2)  the Person agrees to enter services under the conditions listed in Section 62A-5-103.1,
	(3)  the Person agrees not to use any other Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver service operated by the Division while participating in the Supported Employment Pilot, (but may use Service Brokering services, if appropriate),
	(4)  if the person has a Medicaid Card the person may continue to access State Plan, E-Pass and other Medicaid services operated separately from the Division during participation in the program,
	(5)  the person agrees to move off the immediate needs waiting list for supported employment,
	(6)  the person is found eligible for Division of Rehabilitation Services, Supported Employment funding,
	(7)  the person agrees to use an approved provider,
	(8)  the person signs the State Supported Employment Program Participant Agreement and agrees to follow through with instructions from rehabilitation counselors, services for people with disabilities support coordinators and service brokers and private provider staff,
	(9)  the person has an Office of Education, Rehabilitation Services, Referral and Services Report form 58 completed, signed by a rehabilitation counselor and a Division representative,
	(10)  the person agrees that the person's need for extended supported employment services will be met solely by the provision of state supported employment program, and
	(11)  the person agrees to provide information needed by the person's employer to obtain the tax incentive through 26 U.S. Code 44, Federal Welfare to Work, Internal Revenue Service, IRS Form 8850 or Section 59-7-608 or Credit for Employers Who Hire Persons with Disabilities, Form TC-40HD.

R539-9-4.  Priority.
	(1)  First priority will be given to Persons on the waiting list for supported employment services who currently receive Division of Rehabilitation Services funding.
	(2)  Second priority will be given to Persons on the waiting list for supported employment services and no other services.
	(3)  Third priority will be given to Persons waiting for supported employment and other services.

KEY:  disabilities, supported employment program
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment:  December 27, 2011
Notice of Continuation:  July 26, 2016
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  62A-5-103.1