(1) Supported employment is competitive employment in an integrated setting, consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual, with ongoing support services for participants with the most significant disabilities who require intensive, ongoing support to perform in a work setting.

(2) An individual shall be eligible to receive supported employment services if:

(a) The individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with WAC 67-25-130;

(b) The individual needs intensive supported employment services from the department and ongoing services from other resources to perform competitive and integrated work due to the nature and significance of his or her disabilities; and

(c) Supported employment is an appropriate employment outcome, with or without customized job tasks as defined in WAC 67-25-009, for the individual based on a comprehensive assessment of his or her rehabilitation needs in accordance with WAC 67-25-205.

(3) A participant with an employment outcome of supported employment may receive any vocational rehabilitation service described in WAC 67-25-265.

(4) Supported employment must occur in a competitive and integrated work setting (as defined in WAC 67-25-009) for the maximum number of hours possible, based on the unique strengths, resources, interests, concerns, abilities, and capabilities of the participant with significant disabilities.

(5) The determination to provide long-term supports must include:

(a) Ongoing assessment of the participant's employment situation to:

(i) Determine what is needed to maintain job stability; and

(ii) Coordinate services or provide specific intensive services that are needed at or away from the participant's worksite to assist the individual in maintaining job stability.

Under special circumstances and request of the participant, such an assessment might take place away from the worksite.

(b) Job development, job placement, and job retention services, with or without customization of job tasks;

(c) Intensive job skill training for the participant at the job site by qualified providers;

(d) Social skills training;

(e) Regular observations or supervision;

(f) Follow-up services, such as regular contacts with the participant's employer, the participant, or the participant's representative, and other appropriate individuals to help strengthen and stabilize the job placement;

(g) Facilitation of natural supports at the worksite;

(h) Other services similar to services described in (a) through (g) of this subsection; and

(i) Any other required vocational rehabilitation services.

(6) The participant shall transition to extended services after receiving supported employment services from the vocational rehabilitation program.

(a) Extended services are ongoing support services necessary to support and maintain the participant in competitive and integrated employment, with or without customization of job tasks.

(b) Long-term funding for extended services may be provided through cooperative agreements with public agencies, nonprofit agencies or organizations; employers; natural supports; and any resource other than federal vocational rehabilitation funds.

(7) The department may provide intensive training and support services during the period which extended services from other resources are identified and implemented as follows:

(a) The department can provide intensive training and support services for up to twenty-four months to facilitate the participant's adjustment at the worksite while resources for extended services are being finalized;

(b) If the individual who requires long-term supports is a youth with a disability, the department may provide intensive training and support services for up to forty-eight months;

(c) If resources for extended services are not identified and implemented within those time frames, the department must close the case and exit the individual from department services per WAC 67-25-565.

(8) An individualized plan for employment with a competitive and integrated employment outcome with long-term supports must specify the expected extended services needed and, must identify the source, including natural supports, of extended services. If the source of extended services cannot be identified when the individualized plan for employment is developed, supported employment services shall be initiated while resources to provide extended services are sought per the limits described in this section.

(9) A participant with an employment outcome of supported employment may receive post-employment services in accordance with WAC 67-25-450 when the services to be provided are not the responsibility of the extended services provider.

(10) The department shall provide transitional employment services as supported employment services for a participant with a significant disability due to mental illness. Transitional employment is a series of temporary job placements in competitive and integrated work settings with ongoing support services. In transitional employment, ongoing support services must include continuing sequential job placements until job permanency is achieved.

(11) Supported employment services are provided only after consideration of comparable services and benefits in accordance with WAC 67-25-283.