CRP Quarterly Bulletin 

Why was the computer cold? It left its Windows open.

The Team at SETP is excited to say hello to warmer weather in Kentucky and bring you this April 2025 edition of the CRP Quarterly Bulletin. 

Coming Soon--New Case Management System for the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 

In the coming months, the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation will transition to a new case management system. This new, more modern system will create greater efficiencies in services when full implementation is completed. To prepare for this transition, OVR agency staff will be working diligently to get case files in the current system ready for transfer to the new system. Staff also will undergo intensive training required for the new system. All these items will temporarily impact staff schedules and may increase the wait time for appointments or require rescheduling of existing appointments. OVR appreciates your patience during this hectic time of transition to the new case management system and will do all it can to minimize its impact on our services. 

Ask Our Experts

You Asked: What is the difference between the CRP Branch and SETP Team Role?

We Asked SETP Training Facilitator Zac Sappenfield, M.Ed., CESP, to explain. 

The CRP Branch is a part of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This branch supports the work of Community Rehabilitation Programs and serves as a liaison between CRPs and VR Counselors and Assistants. They can assist new CRPs in the application process and starting services, provide support and training, check the status of cases within the VR system, and conduct audits.

The Supported Employment Training Project is funded to offer training and support to supported employment providers. It is housed at UK’s Human Development Institute and is funded by OVR and DDID. They offer the Supported Employment Core Training Series, additional training events, and one-on-one technical assistance. They present to groups and events across the state about quality-supported employment services and the impact of wages on benefits. Some examples of what the TA can provide include individualized training and technical assistance, such as brainstorming new ideas for Discovery and Job Development, developing systems for tracking documentation and billing, and support for unique cases and other needs that may arise throughout the SE process. The Supported Employment Training Project is neither a regulatory nor audit group; it offers support, training, and new ideas for SE providers.        

In addition, they have a website with resources and information to help supported employment providers understand the service and provide meaningful support. They also offer technical assistance around supported employment funded through Medicaid Waivers (SCL and Michelle P.).

KY Assistive Technology Locator

The Kentucky Assistive Technology Locator is a FREE service of the KATS Network that connects Kentuckians to assisted technology (AT) devices that they need to live independently. By registering for an account, you can borrow devices to try, find used devices for free or at a low cost, sell used devices, give away used devices, and place want ads for devices that you need.  

You can visit this website to learn more about the Kentucky Assisted Technology Locator

What is Extended Services and What Goes into that Consideration?

The transition from Supported Employment Services to Extended Services occurs when the employment specialist determines that the worker is “stable” and no longer requires intensive Supported Employment Services to perform the job.  Intensive Supported Employment Services includes the work we do to help the person learn the job and meet expectations. This can take 30 days up to 2 years, depending upon the individual and the job. Our support decreases over time. Remember, we need to be careful not to become a part of the job! We are there to offer additional support if and as needed to ensure the consumer becomes “stable” at work.

In order to claim stability, you should be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

1. Does the job meet the definition of competitive integrated employment?
2. Is the job consistent with the PCEP/Career Profile/Vocational Profile goal?
3. Is the individual satisfied with employment (e.g., job tasks, number of hours)?
4. Is the job consistent with the individual’s strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice?
5. Does the individual’s job performance meet the expectations of the employer?
6. Are natural supports appropriate and in place?
7. Are all necessary accommodations appropriate and in place?

They should sustain this level of stability and the ability to answer “yes” to the questions over a period of time. It is not a “yes” today's decision; it is about sustaining stability. For example, it takes time to be sure the identified natural support will be able to help as planned.

Once the VR Counselor agrees the individual is stable on the job, you move into Extended Services.  The intensive support from the Employment Specialist is over. This is what we used to call “long-term supports.” The CRP is still responsible for checking in, in person at the job site, at least twice a month through the term of employment (while they are still employed.) But you are no longer teaching or implementing/connecting to initial supports. Rather, you are checking in to be sure they maintain the ability to perform the job as expected.

What do you do?  Examples can include:

• Check-in with the employee (of course!)
• Check-in with supervisor or coworkers
• Check-in with family or key residential staff
• Asking and observing enough to notice if there are any concerns or issues popping up that need to be addressed
• Ensuring the natural supports are still effective
• Check if the supported employee has enough work to fill their time or if they need additional tasks.

You know this person and the nature of the job from previous phases of service. When someone gets supported employment, the intent is that they receive help getting and keeping the job. Extended Services are our way of helping people stay employed and even look at moving forward on their career path.

Do I have to visit in person twice a month forever? Yes, unless you have an approved Step Down Support Plan in place. This plan allows you to request to reduce the number of contacts to what makes sense for that person, given their needs and the nature of the job. Supported Employment does not end while the individual remains employed, although our level of support certainly changes over time. What keeps our jobs interesting is that they look different for each person to remain successful.

Did you read the last quarterly bulletin?

The answer to the question below can be found in that issue. Do you think you know the answer? Email setraining@uky.edu and we will randomly select a winner for a prize that will be announced in the next bulletin.

Learn About How to become an Employment Network (EN) and the Ticket to Work Program

The Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program offers Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities the choices, opportunities and supports needed to find and keep employment, increase their earnings through work, and reduce their reliance on cash benefits to the greatest extent possible.

The Ticket Program is an outcome-based program offering participating Employment Networks (ENs) financial compensation for successfully assisting disability beneficiaries (Ticketholders) to enter, maintain and advance in employment. By becoming an EN, your organization can earn unrestricted funding to use for an unlimited range of purposes based on the needs of your organization.

An Employment Network (EN) is an entity that agrees with the Social Security Administration (Social Security) to either provide or coordinate the delivery of services to Social Security disability beneficiaries. You can start the process of becoming an EN by requesting an application.