Learn how our Supported Employment Team can help you reach employment success!
We provide supported employment opportunities in Colorado for individuals with the most significant disabilities through partnership with employers, the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC), Office of Community Living, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), Mental Health Service Organizations, and the Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (BHPAC).
Supported employment services are provided by DVR as ongoing support services, including Customized Employment and Individual Placement and Supports, and other appropriate services needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE), including a youth with a most significant disability. Employment must be consistent with the client’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.
Did you know that you can work and still receive your disability benefits? Learn more on our Benefits Counseling page.
DeAndre found success at employment through partnering with DVR and his local mental health center. Learn how we can help you!
Behavioral Health and IPS
Behavioral Health Supported Employment
DVR's Mental Health Supported Employment Program enhances employment opportunities for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness or persons in recovery. This program has resulted in increased competitive integrated employment opportunities through assistance with job development, job-seeking skills, job coaching, and extended services.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS)
The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based service delivery model that originated through Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. The IPS Learning Collaborative serves as a mechanism for training and support for those states and countries implementing this approach to job development and placement for people with serious mental illness. Learn more about this model at IPSWorks.
Community Mental Health Centers contract with DVR to provide supported employment services. Several are members of the IPS Learning Community.
IPS Community Mental Health Centers
Gabe is proud to share he is employed because of the support he received from DVR and Stepping Stone. He thoroughly enjoys working at King Soopers and the benefits of having a paycheck. As Gabe said, "I like earning money and buying things for my apartment. It keeps me busy and gives me something positive to do. I like seeing people I know.” ~Gabe
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
We partner with Community Centered Boards (CCB) serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our counselors and supervisors meet frequently with CCB staff around the state to focus on promoting successful competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals with IDD who have been determined eligible and are recipient of services through the CCB system.
Customized Employment
Customized Employment (CE)
Colorado offers a promising practice Customized Employment services required in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Customized employment is an employment process that uses a flexible blend of strategies, services, supports, and funds to facilitate employment outcomes for job seekers with complex needs through negotiated employment relationships. Customized employment individualizes the employment relationship between a job seeker and an employer in ways that meet the needs of both. Learn how CE can help you!
Watch the video above, produced with WINTAC, DVR and the Office of Employment First, about CO DVR's Customized Employment Pilot.
Vendor Training & Certification Requirements
Supported Employment/Tier II Requirements
With the passing of Senate Bill 18-145, Supported Employment vendors in CO are required to have a nationally-recognized training certificate or certification in Supported Employment before June 30, 2024. HCPF currently has funding available to reimburse vendors for the cost of training and certification, application fees, and staff time.
Customized Employment & Tier III Requirements
Vendors of customized employment must have successfully completed a performance-based certification within the identified service provision area of customized employment. (i.e., Discovery, Customized Job Development, and/or Systematic Instruction). Supervision by an approved mentor is required to obtain the certification. Training certification is specific to the Employment Specialist and not to the agency with which the individual is employed.
More Information
Resources
- New! Learn How Customized Employment can help you find employment
- New! Customized Employment information for service providers
- New! Supported Employment Services Flowchart - sequencing of services
- HCPF Supported Employment Site
- Email Katie Taliercio (HCPF)
- Healthcare Policy and Financing: Programs for People with Physical or Developmental Disabilities
- 20 Community Centered Boards statewide
- Senate Bill 18-145: Professional Development
- Customized Employment
Contact Us
Rachel Hoard, Supported Employment Manager
Darby Remley, Supported Employment Trainer/Coordinator