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Supported Employment Program

What's New

November 22, 2024

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) released Operational Memo OM 24-050 to identify appropriate services in group employment settings. The Memo defines group employment settings and highlights Job Coaching - Group as the most appropriate service in those settings. It also specifies that Job Coaching - Individual services must not be authorized to support jobs that meet group employment criteria after February 1, 2025. Additionally, the Memo indicates that the Workplace Assistance service may be used for Members with elevated supervision needs in group employment settings if the Member/situation meets the authorization criteria for Workplace Assistance. See Memo for specific definitions, dates, and authorization instructions.

Several tools are available to assist Case Managers, Supported Employment Providers, Members, and their teams.

  • Group Employment Setting Guide and Tool - includes group employment service and setting descriptions along with a series of questions to help determine whether a site meets the group employment setting criteria.
  • Workplace Assistance Service Guide - includes a service description and outlines what is needed prior to authorizing the service. The target audience for this tool is Case Management staff.
  • Workplace Assistance Authorization Request Tool - is to be completed by the Supported Employment provider to describe the Member's job and situation. The tool should be shared with the Member and their Case Manager. The Case Manager will determine whether Workplace Assistance is justified and will update their Person-Centered Support Plan as appropriate.

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is excited to announce the start of the Health First Colorado Supported Employment Services 2023 Point in Time Survey.  

The Supported Employment Point in Time Survey, as required in C.R.S. 25.5-10-204, was developed as a tool to determine the number of members on the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Developmental Disabilities (HCBS-DD), Supported Living Services (HCBS-SLS) waivers and State SLS program who are utilizing work-related and non-work related services, as well as details about the jobs members hold.  

This data will be used by HCPF to report progress made in implementing Employment First practices and improving employment outcomes for HCBS-DD and HCBS-SLS waiver members.

If you are a Home and Community Based Services Supported Employment provider and were supporting members with employment on June 30, 2023, please complete this survey.

For more information, email: HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us  

  • Benefits Planning - Visit Benefits Planning page
     
  • Workplace Assistance - Workplace Assistance services provide work-related supports for members with elevated supervision needs who, because of valid safety concerns, may need assistance from a paid caregiver that is above and beyond what could be regularly supported by the workplace supervisor, co-workers, or job coach, in order to maintain an individual job in an integrated work setting for which the member is compensated at or above minimum wage. Training/Job Coaching, accommodations, technology, and natural supports are to be used to maximize the member’s independence and minimize the need for the consistent presence of a paid caregiver.  As such, the degree to which the member must be supported by a paid caregiver through the Workplace Assistance service, shall be based on the specific safety-related need(s) identified in the person-centered planning process for the member at their worksite.
     


Workplace Assistance FAQ
 

  • SPAL Changes - The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has made changes to rules and systems so that as of July 1, 2023 individual Supported Employment services will no longer be subject to a member’s Service Plan Authorization Limit (SPAL).

    Per HCPF Policy Memo PM 23-006, this change is effective on July 1, 2023 for all SLS Waiver members, regardless of Service Plan Certification start/end dates.

    The services that are affected by the change are:
    • Individual Job Coaching
    • Individual Job Development
    • Job Placement
    • Workplace Assistance
    • Benefits Planning

Videos

Employment First in Colorado

Employment First in Colorado means:

  • All people with disabilities have opportunities to work and grow in their careers
  • Employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for working-age individuals with disabilities, regardless of level of disability, receiving assistance from publicly funded systems
  • State and local systems change initiatives result in real jobs for real pay for people with disabilities

One of the Employment First initiatives is ensuring professionals who are actively providing Individualized Supported Employment services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers have the information about how to get the training and/or certification needed.