Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual

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Section 133.5 - Vocational Training - Employment Supports

Purpose

The purpose of Employment Supports is to provide participants with an extended period of support after employment has been obtained. Employment Supports are typically provided by Employment and Training Centres.

Once the initial transition to paid employment—meeting or exceeding the criteria defined under Employment Services—is complete, longer term Employment Supports may be requested. Upon approval, these supports can be provided to further ensure employment retention.

Employment Supports cover a wide range of activities that may include non-employment challenges that impact the participant’s ability to handle work responsibilities.

During the Employment Supports phase; services are generally focused on job retention. Services may include both on-site and off-site interventions. Services may focus on the employer, supervisor, co-workers, volunteers, or other service providers as a way of developing natural supports.

Services may include job coaching to develop job specific and/or work environment skills, knowledge, and ability. Other services may include addressing personal issues outside the work environment that impact on work such as coping with personal stress, family issues, housing, budgeting, personal development, and community involvement.

Assistance may continue in support of career advancement including career change when there is a financial benefit to the individual for doing so.

Other services may include conflict resolution between employee and employer or other co-workers, assisting the individual to maximize their potential by discussing and planning such things as career development (within or outside of the current place of employment), union involvement, or health and safety matters.

Process

Employment Supports may be provided during the first 36 months after commencement of employment in support of participants whose employment meets all of the following criteria:

minimum wage or above
15 hours or more per week
anticipated to extend beyond 12 weeks

Consideration may also be given to provide Employment Supports to individuals whose employment is less than 15 hours per week provided there is consensus that the participant has reached their maximum capacity to work; and, due to their disability and/or health conditions, are unable to work more.

Guidelines:

Following the 12 weeks of employment retention services required and provided for under Employment Services, the provision of longer term Employment Supports may range from 20 to 200 hours per year for up to 36 months. The EAPD Manager has authority to approve all requests within these time frames.
Employment Supports may be the only service requested by a Vocational Counsellor for their participant. In these situations the 12 weeks provided under Employment Services do not apply and Employment Supports may commence immediately after approval for enrolment is obtained by the Vocational Counsellor.
The Vocational Counsellor and the Employment and Training Centre or like agency should develop an individually tailored Employment Supports Plan for each participant.
Beyond 36 months, extensions may be justified for those most in need of ongoing support up to a maximum of 200 hours per year. Those requiring supports of 25 hours per year or less will not be eligible and should be transitioned to natural supports in the workplace.
Some employed participants may need longer term supports related to employment but may not need the services of a Vocational Counsellor. The Employment Supports process will vary depending on the Vocational Counsellor’s assessment of the need for ongoing services.
1. For participants requiring extended Vocational Counselling services:
  - Requests for Employment Supports may be approved for up to 12 months. Two one-year extensions may be approved after an annual review by the Vocational Counsellor.
  - Should an extension in annual support or an extension beyond 36 months be required, the rationale must be provided by the Vocational Counsellor in the comments section of the EAPD–002 (if an ETC) or an EAPD–001 (if not an ETC). A comprehensive explanation for the prolonged extension, detailing the ongoing support needs that are not currently being met by the participant’s natural supports will be required. This must clearly define the types and intensity of Employment Supports required.
2. For participants not requiring ongoing Vocational Counsellor services:
  - Where it is anticipated that the Employment Supports of an Employment and Training Centre alone will be adequate to ensure participant job retention, the Vocational Counsellor can close the file.
  - When the Vocational Counsellor has closed the Employment Support Plan file at a later date than the closure of the Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities file, the Employment and Training Centre will be expected to submit a brief annual activity/progress report for each participant as part of their annual outcome reporting requirements.
  - Should an extension in annual support or an extension beyond 36 months be required by the Employment and Training Centre, the file must be re-opened under Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities. The Vocational Counsellor must assess the issues leading to the need for additional service and document the rationale in the comments section of the relevant service/funding request. A comprehensive explanation will be required, detailing the ongoing support needs that are not currently being met by the participant’s natural supports. This explanation must clearly define the types and intensity of Employment Supports required.
  - Where the participant is in receipt of EIA, the Vocational Counsellor should ensure that the EIA Case Coordinator is aware of the Employment and Training Centre contact person should any information be needed related to the participant’s ongoing employment.

Employment Supports Application Procedures

Employment Supports should be documented on the Individual Vocational Plan. The service request is done by submitting the relevant service/funding request form (EAPD–001 or EAPD–002).

While the maximum request for Employment Supports shall not exceed 200 hours of service per year and is generally limited to the first 36 months of employment, many employees will not require this level of support.

Verbal approvals may be provided for Initial Employment Supports requests. Thereafter, monitoring should be scheduled such that any request for an extension allows sufficient time for normal processing.

Standards

The following standards apply to Employment Supports provided by Employment and Training Centres or like agencies:

Employment Supports are planned with the Employment and Training Centre or like agency to meet individual participant needs. Relevant service/funding request forms should be completed by the Vocational Counsellor in conjunction with the service provider.
Monitoring of Employment Supports is carried out at least every three months, except where the Vocational Counsellor has closed the file.
Requests for extensions are to be submitted for approval at least two weeks prior to expiry of the previously approved request.
Requests for Employment Supports beyond the 200 hours per year or beyond 36 months are clearly identified as exceptional circumstances and describe the barriers and strategies planned for retaining employment. Those requiring supports of 25 hours per year or less will not be eligible and should be transitioned to natural supports in the workplace.

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