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Officials acknowledge gaps in job‑retention supports and say funding and 1959 issues are under review
Summary
During Q&A, participants raised concerns about post‑placement check‑ins, local provider capacity and the effects of withheld education funds/OBBA; presenters said VR typically follows cases about 90 days, long‑term supports vary by location, and DHHS is still assessing the impact of recent funding and federal changes on services.
During the meeting’s Q&A, attendees pressed staff about job retention, long‑term supports, eligibility and the potential effects of recent funding changes.
Fred Hathaway asked whether regular post‑placement checks occur at 90‑day, 6‑month and 12‑month intervals to ensure supervisors, hours and tasks have not changed since placement. Kathy Smith (EIPD) acknowledged the problem, describing variation across the state in provider capacity and staffing and noting that VR typically follows individuals for about 90 days after placement before a case is closed. "With VR services through EIPD, our funding has some limitations... we follow them, as I think you're aware, for that 90 days right before we close the case," Smith said. She said Inclusion Works is trying to involve tailored care managers earlier so that, where long‑term supports are required, someone can provide continuing check‑ins.
Joshua asked how Inclusion Works will continue in the context of withheld education funds and the OBBA law. Tina Barrett (DHHS) said staff are still working to "unravel" how recent federal and state changes will affect services and that the impact is not yet clear. Clarke Colligan added that the department is working across systems to mitigate effects where possible.
On waiver and 1959 engagement, Kathy Smith said staff are trying to move away from practices that required people to seek denials in one system to qualify in another; instead the state is working to coordinate approvals across EIPD, long‑term supports and 1959 so people receive necessary services without redundant steps.
Next steps: presenters offered follow‑up by email for individual eligibility questions and encouraged participants to contact EIPD or Inclusion Works staff for case‑specific assistance.
