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Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023) |
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Title17b Social Services |
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SubTitle17b-666-1_17b-666-6. Employment Opportunities |
| Sec. 17b-666-1. Description |
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Latest version.
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Sections 17b-666-2 to 17b-666-6, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall apply to the state Department of Social Services in its implementation of the employment opportunities program, as described in Section 17b-666 of the Connecticut General Statutes. |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |
| Sec. 17b-666-2. Definitions |
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Latest version.
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The following definitions shall govern the interpretation and application of this section and sections 17b-666-3 to 17b-666-6, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies: (1) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services; (2) "Client" means an individual who has been determined eligible for services under the employment opportunities program; (3) "Coaching and other related services" means services provided by a skilled job trainer that are based on an assessment, which provide for the coordination or provision of specific services that are necessary to maintain employment stability. These services are provided at the worksite, or under special circumstances, especially at the request of the client and agreed to by the bureau, may be provided offsite. The term consists of: (A) job skill training; (B) regular observation or supervision of the individual; and (C) facilitation of natural supports. (4) "Competitive employment" means work, (A) in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting; and (B) for which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals who are not disabled. (5) "Department" means the Department of Social Services; (6) "Director" means the director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services; (7) "Integrated site" means a setting typically found in the community in which the client would interact with non-disabled individuals, other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to the client, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other persons; (8) "Individual with the most significant disabilities" means an individual who, due to a physical or mental impairment, (A) has serious employment limitations in a total of three of more functional areas including, but not limited to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work tolerance or work skills, or (B) will require significant ongoing disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment; |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |
| Sec. 17b-666-3. Administration |
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Latest version.
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The employment opportunities program shall be administered by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |
| Sec. 17b-666-4. Eligibility |
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Latest version.
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(a) A determination of eligibility for the employment opportunities program shall be based on a determination by the bureau that the individual: (1) is an individual with the most significant disabilities; (2) requires ongoing coaching and other related services in order to maintain supported employment; and (3) is ineligible for coaching and other related services from the Department of Mental Retardation, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or other entity providing the coaching and other related services available through the employment opportunities program. This means that: (A) The individual has made application, as applicable, to the Department of Mental Retardation, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or other entity providing services covered by the employment opportunities program and has been determined by that department or entity to not meet the respective agency's eligibility criteria, including eligibility to be placed on the respective agency's waiting list; or (B) The bureau has determined that it is unlikely that the individual would meet the eligibility criteria for coaching and other related services through the Department of Mental Retardation, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or other entity providing services covered by the employment opportunities program. (b) Clients served by this program shall have the responsibility of being actively involved in treatment or other interventions which the bureau determines necessary in order for the individual to maintain employment and minimize the amount of services needed under this program. In such cases where the individual fails to comply with such treatment or intervention, the bureau may decline to approve or may discontinue services. |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |
| Sec. 17b-666-5. Services provided |
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Latest version.
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(a) Services provided under the employment opportunities program are limited to coaching and other related services that are necessary in order for the eligible individual to maintain employment: (1) that is in an integrated site; and (2) for which the average weekly compensation to the eligible individual is, at a minimum, the dollar equivalent of fifteen hours of work at the minimum wage for the State of Connecticut. (b) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, the bureau may continue providing coaching and other related services which were being provided to an individual as of the effective date of this section in an employment site which does not meet the requirements established in subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. Clients for whom this subsection applies who become unemployed shall be eligible to reenter the employment opportunities program under the provisions of this subsection within one year of termination from that employment. (c) The level of services provided by the employment opportunities program shall not exceed that which the client is expected to need once intensive support services have been completed. (d) Services will be rendered to an individual by a provider approved by the bureau which meets the needs and is consistent, to the extent practicable, with the informed choice of the client. In such cases where the client or his or her representative chooses services which will be at a higher cost than the bureau determines is reasonably necessary in order for the individual to maintain employment, the bureau will not be responsible for the additional cost. |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |
| Sec. 17b-666-6. Administrative review |
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Latest version.
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Individuals aggrieved by a decision concerning their eligibility for, or services rendered to them by, the employment opportunities program may request an administrative review, which shall be conducted by the director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services or his or her designee. Such request shall be in writing and received by the director not later than 30 days after the date of notification by the bureau of the decision for which the individual seeks redress. The review shall be scheduled in a timely manner upon receipt of the request. The reviewer shall issue a written decision of his or her findings and mail a copy of the decision to the appropriate bureau staff and the individual. An administrative review is not a "contested case" within the meaning of section 4-166(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes. |
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(Adopted effective November 17, 2003) |