From Antionette Williams, Florida Division of Blind Services:
After client receives SE Services and case is closed 26, follow along support is paid for via community rehab providers through their own funding stream. For follow along, funds are administered by the community rehab provider. Fl. Blind does not receive money funneled through funneled VR. Other disability groups are included accordingly.
From Natasha Lemler, Minnesota State Services for the Blind:
After a client has received SE services and has been closed 26 in the VR system, who pays for the long term follow along support?
-Our primary long term follow along support is a county waiver program. Secondary support is a grant provided to a few select placement agencies called the Extended Employment Grant.
Where does the money come from?
-CADI waiver funds comes from the state primarily. The Extended Employment grant I believe is federal.
Who administers the funds for the follow along support?
-The county or placement agency that receives it.
Does any state have the money funneled through to VR and if so, what does that look like?
-Our blind agency does not.
Also, are all disability groups included in the long term follow along dollars for post-employment support?
-The waiver programs through the county are primarily for those with a TBI, developmental disability, severe mental health, or who are deafblind.
From Paige Tidwell, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency:
As of right now, VR does not pay for follow along support, which has been a big issue in building capacity and availability of services. Our state DD funds follow along support through the DD waiver and state grant & aid funds. GA VR is working closely with the state DD and MH agencies in implementing state-wide changes to our SE, to include the funding structure. We are also looking at Partnership Plus through SSA/TTW as an additional funding option for job retention/follow along services. I have been curious about using post-employment to provide follow along funding, so I am very curious how others respond.
Posted in: Supported Employment