Work Toolkit:
Many people play a role in supporting someone receiving waiver services on their path to competitive employment.
Despite our unique roles, we share the core belief that everyone can succeed in competitive work with the right supports. We also share a commitment to use person-centered practices to help people make informed choices and find meaningful work.
Below you'll find an overview of the various roles and responsibilities within a person's employment support team, including the person, family members and support professionals. Check out the E1MN trainings and events page for short videos on roles and responsibilities during each phase of employment.
The person receiving waiver services drives the employment plan and supports. They may rely on other team members to explain services, processes and options — but the person is the decision maker. If the person is a minor or under guardianship, the family or guardian must also be involved in these decisions.
The person:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person’s information with each other.
Family members, guardians and other people who help are critical for the person's employment success. The person is the decision maker. Still, they may rely on close contacts — like family members, guardians or friends — to help them make decisions. These close contacts help the person make their own decisions, rather than making decisions for them.
Family members, guardians and other people who help can:
Waiver case managers help people identify, access and navigate supports and services. Waiver case managers are responsible for providing the information a person needs to make informed choices about supports and services. This includes social, health, educational, vocational and financial services.
Waiver case managers:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person's information with each other.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB) counselors help people with disabilities who have barriers to employment find jobs.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors are responsible for helping the person identify their work goals, providing the information a person needs to make informed choices about work, and making connections with resources and services the person needs to find and keep a job.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB) liaisons provide consultations for waiver exploration and development service providers and case managers on when and how to best engage Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
VRS/SSB liaisons:
VRS/SSB counselors and other vocational rehabilitation staff help people find competitive integrated employment.
Vocational rehabilitation services are provided using a person-centered approach and vary depending on the person's specific needs. VRS/SSB counselors and other vocational rehabilitation staff help people find competitive integrated employment.
Vocational rehabilitation staff:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person’s information with each other.
Employment service providers deliver services that help people make informed choices about work, and then set and reach their work goals.
There are three types of waiver employment service providers:
Waiver employment exploration service providers help people engage in conversations about employment, get a better understanding of their opportunities, and make an informed choice about competitive integrated employment.
Employment exploration service providers:
Waiver employment planning-development service providers help people plan their path to employment, develop preliminary employment goals and connect with job search supports.
Some people getting waiver services are comfortable beginning a job search without support from an employment service provider. When needed, employment development service providers:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person's information with each other.
Waiver employment support service providers deliver ongoing supports to help a person with stable employment maintain and grow in the job.
Waiver employment support service providers:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person's information with each other.
Job placement providers are service providers contracted by VRS/SSB to help people secure competitive integrated employment. Job placement providers also deliver initial job supports, but they aren’t responsible for ongoing supports to help the person keep the job.
Job placement providers:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person’s information with each other.
Special education teachers and school case managers help students plan and prepare for future success. This includes thinking about employment, introducing the idea of work and teaching the skills needed to succeed at work.
Special education teachers and school case managers:
If the person chooses not to create a My Vault account, employment support team members must help the person get and share their information in another way. An appropriate release of information is required for team members to directly share the person's information with each other.