Maximizing Milestone Payments: Mental Health Job Placement Services

1. OVRS Job Placement Services Contract overview Presented by Joe Miller And Cheryl Furrer for Mental Health Supported Employment Programs

2. Fundamentals to Remember • VR pays milestone payments for job placement services • Programs must have a job placement services contract to receive milestone payment from VR. • Clients must be actively enrolled and in plan with VR in order for MH agency to received milestone payments.

3. Steps to Enroll Clients in VR • Client must apply for services with VR, complete application, eligibility, and assessment and be in plan status before AFP’s can be written for payments. • If a client is documented as being an SSA beneficiary they are presumed eligible for services.

4. Steps to Enroll Clients • If clients are not SSA beneficiaries, advance documentation of the disability will speed up the eligibility process if it is available • A recent assessment by either a medical/psychological provider (or both) is often adequate documentation of disability • If more than one disability is present then that should be documented too

5. Once a Client Becomes Active with VR • SE staff can accompany client to meeting with clients approval • An orientation to VR is sometimes a routine requirement; however • VR counselors can help with accommodations to orientations, especially if the client is anxious in group settings

6. Client Must have VR Plan • Once the client is determined eligible and the job goal is established, a plan for employment is created (IPE) • VR staff, SE staff and client can give input for VR plan • The plan will include SE services that identify long term supports

7. Milestone Payment Structure Milestone payments are based on the client gaining work; • Referral – $100 • Proposal - $200 • Job Placement - $1,500 after three days on the job • Job Retention - $2,000 after 90 days of employment and eligible for case closure. • SE program must submit monthly progress reports

8. Authorization for Purchase (AFP) • In the job placement services; supported or customized employment track, SE programs are reimbursed by the mechanism of the VR counselor producing an AFP for milestone payments, plus SE program submits invoices • Prior approval is required for reimbursement • Invoices go to local state VR office

9. How to Administer Contract • Meet with VR manager to clarify • Ask Cheryl to attend meeting if needed • Understand that contract is intended for clients that are actively and dually served by the SE program and by VR • Review contract documentation and submit in timely manner

10. How to Help the System Work • Make sure you refer clients to VR soon after receiving SE referral. • Meet and communicate regularly with VR • Learn what VR needs to document disability, establish eligibility and open clients in plan • Develop positive working relationship with VR- SE staff

11. How to Help the System Work • Understand VR staff are busy- prioritize requests • Focus on job placements! • Advocate and explain reason if asking for exception for client • Present SE model to VR staff who may not be familiar with model

12. Questions ??

13. Contract Questions: Cheryl Furrer Job Development Programs Coordinator cheryl.l.furrer@state.or.us 503-945-6233