Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual
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Section 122 - Services and Supports - Definitions and Special Issues
Purpose
Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Individualized Training Funds are provided for the purchase of an array of goods and services designed to assist the participant to enter or re-enter the workforce. The range of goods and services eligible for purchase may include support services and technical aids which are not necessarily training related but enable the individual to access training, pursue employment, or maintain employment.
Process
The Vocational Counsellor should be familiar with the services referenced in Sections 122 through 179 and also with similar services that may be available in the local area.
The options, services, and supports funded through the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Individualized Training Fund, which are utilized to assist the participant to achieve his or her vocational goal, must be approved and documented on an Individual Vocational Plan.
The Vocational Counsellor is responsible for coordinating the purchase of goods and services funded through the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Individualized Training Fund, on behalf of, and in cooperation with the participant.
Full-Time and Part-Time Definitions
In developing the Individual Vocational Training Plan, the following definitions and distinctions apply when determining full-time or part-time employee status:
Employment
Full-time employment shall be defined as 30 hours of work per week or greater. Part-time employment shall be any amount that is less than 30 hours per week.
Where the person is scheduled for or averages less than 15 hours of work per week, the person will be considered as unemployed for the purposes of Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities.
Assessment and Unpaid Work Experience
Assessments and unpaid work experiences may be full or part time and, if coordinated or provided by an Employment and Training Centre, should follow the guidelines described in Sections 133.3 and 133.4.
Educational and Skill Training
Full-time attendance at university will be the equivalent of three full credit courses. At colleges, full-time attendance is defined as 20 scheduled class hours per week or more.
Part-time university attendance will be anything less than three credit courses. Part-time college attendance is anything less than 20 scheduled class hours per week.
Workers Compensation Coverage
Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities participants enrolled in vocational assessment or training are covered under The Workers Compensation Act. (Refer to Section 10 of the Regulation #545/88.)
Training-on-the-job participants and employed participants receiving Employment Supports - Goods and Services are not covered by the same Regulation as they are deemed to be employees. Therefore, the employer has responsibility for providing coverage.
Applicant Status
In order to ensure that Workers Compensation coverage is in effect, it is crucial that the applicant be registered in the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities registry by completing and submitting the Participant Identification Form.
When the participant is placed in an unpaid work experience a signed Individual Vocational Plan must be on the participant's file detailing the nature of the work experience. Unpaid work experiences are typically coordinated by an Employment and Training Centre, a Supported Employment agency, a recognized educational institution, or an otherwise recognized government approved employment or training program.
Liability Coverage
The Province of Manitoba has its own liability coverage administered through:
Insurance & Risk Management Branch
Manitoba Finance
350-363 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3N9
Phone: (204) 945-1918 or (204) 945-1917
Liability claims may arise when the actions of an Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities participant enrolled in assessment, training or other service, cause harm or damage to others or to the property of others.
When arranging for goods and services, particularly for Assessments and Employment Services with non-government funded agencies or employers, the Vocational Counsellor should take actions to reduce the risk of claims against the department. This may include:
- informing the service providers of any unusual behaviour of the participant that may affect on-the-job performance;
- ensuring that the participant is properly informed and trained in the use of safety equipment and procedures; and
- ensuring that the service providers are aware of to whom to report an incident.
Procedures for Possible Liability Claims
Should an incident occur that bears any remote possibility of resulting in a claim, an incident report shall be completed and forwarded to Insurance and Risk Management Branch in accordance with the following procedures as outlined on the Incident Report Form (refer to Appendix III for a copy of this form):
- Report all incidents (other than Vehicle Accidents and Workers Compensation claims) involving:
- loss or damage to any government property over $100.00;
- death or injury to persons; and/or
- damage to property of others.
- Reports must be completed and forwarded immediately without waiting for any letter of claim or writ from involved third parties.
- EAPD, Community Mental Health, and Designated Agency staff must forward all correspondence from third parties directly to Insurance and Risk Management Branch.
- EAPD, Community Mental Health, and Designated Agency staff must not make statements to any insurance company or adjuster without prior consent of the Insurance and Risk Management Branch.
- EAPD, Community Mental Health, and Designated Agency staff must not engage attorneys or experts without prior consent of the Insurance and Risk Management Branch.
- Preserve all evidence indicating cause of incident, including photographs, if available. Evidence should only be released to law enforcement authorities in exchange for a written receipt.
Where a fatality, serious injury or damage to property in excess of $5,000.00 occurs, report immediately by telephone to (204) 945-1918 and follow up immediately with written papers to:
Insurance and Risk Management Branch
MB Finance
350-363 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0P8
Phone: (204) 945-1918 or (204) 945-1917
