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But 50% got new jobs in those same periods, including some who first retained jobs. Almost all jobs are mainstream and permanent. 22% started businesses or are selfemployed. Average hourly wage is $10.43. Job titles cover a broad spectrum. With the exception of persons who receive SSI or SSDI, there seemed to be no indicators which would predict a lessened expectation of Career Choice participants achieving their employment objective; outcome expectations for Social Security recipients are reduced by about 16%. The only demographic difference or significant outcome difference between those Career Choice participants who had prior VR experience and those who did not, is that 19% more of those without prior VR experience were receiving SSDI or SSI at program entry. X4` hp x (#% TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE The Development Team, Inc. is prepared to provide technical assistance to any state vocational rehabilitation agency or other employment related agency regarding: *Development of a fast track, lowcost, choiceenhanced group model. *Effective and limited collaboration with CILs and other community groups, including outreach to underserved populations. *Uses of the Career Choice Manuals/ other materials. *Informed choice of expanded VR program options. *Selfassessment and presumptive eligibility. Technical assistance arrangements can be negotiated for services beyond what can be provided by the very limited resources of the Career Choice project. & PRODUCTS ă Career Choice Leadership Manual . A comprehensive and structured tool with all details necessary for implementation and replication. (150+ pages) Career Choice Participant Manual . Looseleaf manual with supplements used by participant to reinforce and supplement group discussion and guest presenters. (400+ pages) Plan to Achieve Career Choice (P.A.C.C.).  A file folder of documents, which constitutes both, a comprehensive plan and an individual data file. (70+ pages) Career Choice Program Descriptions of Practices: Implications for VR Services . (6 page article) Recruiting Business and Professional Volunteers . (brochure) Exploring Products and Services . Brief selfhelp guide for the participant/consumer. (brochure) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Harry L. Hall, President The Development Team, Inc. Oceanside Office Center 300 North 2nd St., Suite 10C Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 Voice/TTY: (904) 2474640 Fax: (904) 2474113 Email: TDTI1ESD@AOL.COM #4\  PP#The Development Team, Inc. (TDTI) is a notforprofit corporation created in 1983 to develop and manage programs to assist people with disabilities to obtain/retain employment. Persons with disabilities are substantially involved in both the policy direction and staffing of TDTI.#%G\  P%P# #[\  P P# Arkansas Rehabilitation Services #%G\  P %P#  #u\  P P# COMMITMENT TO CLIENT CHOICE PROJECT #%G\  P %P#у yxdddy CONTACT: Sterling Hughes, Project Director Commitment to Client Choice Project 2703 W. 28th Street, Pine Bluff, AR 72603 Telephone: (501) 5341372 Fax: (501) 5341067 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND GOALS The Commitment to Client Choice (CCC) Project is a federallyfunded pilot project to promote client choice within rehabilitation services. With a design based upon consumer input, the project is the product of a public/private partnership between Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS) with vast experience in rehabilitation and job development and Empowerment Network Unlimited, Inc., a national private, nonprofit corporation with expertise in choice, consumerdriven practices, inclusion and empowerment. Expanding the partnership, ARS networks with the University of Arkansas Research and Training Center in Vocational Rehabilitation (ARTCVR) and the Arkansas Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (ARRCEP) for evaluation and replication activities respectively. The project is being implemented in a tencounty area in Southeast Arkansas. Known as the "Delta," this primarily rural area is high in cultural diversity, poverty, unemployment and underemployment. This is also an area in which all types of services are quite limited, at times nonexistent. With a goal of serving 300 individuals within the 5 year scope of the project, the project initially focused on students transitioning from public schools and later broadened to individuals from 16 to 65 interested in employment and meeting the criteria for rehabilitation services. The goals of the Commitment to Client Choice project are: *Create an environment within ARS that promotes informed client choice; *Increase opportunities for informed client choice and empowerment during the selection of vocational goals and objectives, the type and scope of services needed, and providers of those services, *Expand opportunities for people with severe disabilities to achieve positive employment outcomes; *Increase the cultural diversity of individuals with severe disabilities in vocational services, and *Support the replication of project models throughout the state, region, and nation.  ÌPROJECT COMPONENTS Empowering consumers to identify and achieve success in their chosen career and life goals is the ultimate challenge for the grant, a challenge that is tackled through several innovative strategies to enhance traditional vocational rehabilitation services: * CONSUMER CONNECTORS are private vendors who contract directly with individual clients to assist them in linking to various community resources, such as housing, food stamps, counseling, etc.; facilitating the personcentered career planning process; fulfilling consumer responsibilities in the implementation of the career plan; developing creative options to meet consumerdirected career goals (e.g., new vendors); challenging the system to move beyond previous traditions in providing supports; and developing job possibilities. * A PERSONDRIVEN CAREER PLANNING PROCESS allows the individual to invite friends, family and others to take part in the planning process, is facilitated by the Consumer Connector to assure that the rehabilitation system is really listening to consumer choices, explores individual preferences and dreams, focuses on enhancing capabilities instead of "treating" limitations and on developing a career rather than just getting a job, and addresses factors that influence successful employment, such as shelter, health and safety. Respect for choice is reflected in the diversity of occupations individuals are seeking, such as these: assembly line, cosmetologist, welder, early childhood teacher, florist, security officer, mechanical technician, child psychologist, home health worker, autobody repairman, professor of political science, radiologist, data entry clerk and criminal justice social worker. One of the most exciting arenas of creation of new jobs has bee the number of people who are seeking selfemployment. Entrepreneurs have chosen to develop diverse businesses, such as shoeing horses, cosmetology, ceramics, accounting, housecleaning and photography. *" GO FOR THE GOLD" EMPOWERMENT TRAINING provides consumers an intensive oneday training session packed full of tips and strategies that lead to successbuilding positive attitudes, increasing confidence and selfesteem, enhancing image, attaining good communication skills, making informed choices, developing assertive behaviors, and understanding rights and responsibilities. The presentation is humorous and motivational. Individuals who experience the training indicate that they feel more empowered to gain control of their lives and pursue their goals as a result of the training. A summary of training highlights is provided to participants for their continuing reference. * CREATING NEW VENDORS is a critical strategy for providing choice in these poor Southeast Arkansas counties where very few traditional service options exist. The Choice project responds by identifying and creating new vendors 161 to date. Most of these new vendors exist because consumers identified and chose to do business with them. * CONSUMER DIRECTED VOUCHERS Since state accounting practices precluded that actual distribution of funds to individuals to purchase services, ARS modified its existing purchase order to give Choice consumers greater control of the voucher process. All purchase orders for evaluation, connector or vocational services must be authorized by the concerned individual. The voucher is issued to the desired vendor who has completed the process to become a vendor for the state. Beyond these important strategies, project staff get ongoing consumer input from a Consumer Advisory Committee, advice from community resource people on ways to target diverse populations involved in a Cultural Diversity Task Force and consultation from area business leaders and employers serving on one of three business councils. The project's evaluation quantitative strategies are heavily based on consumer satisfaction with the planning process, empowerment training, counselor services and connector services. Qualitative strategies also reflect consumer interests through interviews that are videotaped and audio taped. Slides documenting the stories of individuals are also secured and vignettes developed. CURRENT STATUS To date, 277 applications have been taken for the Choice project from April of 1994 through January 1997. Eighteen percent of the those indicating an initial interest in the Choice project dropped out prior to being determined eligible for the program. In a number of cases, high school students initially targeted changed their minds or their choices were not supported by their parents. Other reasons included moving, not responding to numerous attempts to schedule evaluations or other meetings with the Choice counselor or changing their minds about the program once they understood the investment of considerable time and effort required to receive financial assistance. Of the 226 individuals determined eligible for program services to date, just over 5% of those reaching the service implementation phase of their Choice experience dropped out for reasons such as moving, not responding to repeated attempts to establish contact, changing career interests, changing life circumstances, not completing training programs and similar reasons. Of the 195 individuals who have been actively involved in the project: *38 have been closed as successfully employed, with 7 in self employment. *Of those with successfully employment outcomes, 25 were on SSI and 6 on SSDI. *The number of successful closures is reduced because of the choices of many entering the program initially meant 4 years of college, delaying successful employment outcomes. *Since most of these individuals have achieved success only recently, followup to gauge length of ongoing employment after the project has not yet been accomplished. Of the 157 currently remaining in the program: *26 are currently receiving vocational training of some type. *8 individuals are currently at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center which is a shortterm residential training center. *23 individuals are currently in onthejob training situations. *41 are attending college programs from 1 years to 4 years. *6 are working to become selfemployed. *30 of those currently active receive SSI and 10 receive SSDI. *59% of individuals served by the program are from culturally diverse backgrounds contrasted with approximately 21% in the regular rehabilitation program. Originally, we anticipated an average cost per person of $10,000. Of the 38 who have reached successful employment outcomes, the overall average cost is $5,121. The average cost for regular rehabilitation clients who were successfully closed in 1995 is $3,287. Three factors work to skew this figure to the high side for the Choice project: *Several individuals have required expensive technology to increase their employment potential, such as a speech device purchased for one individual at a cost of nearly $8,000. *This figure is also heightened because it contains those selfemployed as well as regular rehabilitation cases. The average cost for individuals in selfemployment is $ 7,6731 and $4,545 for individuals in more typical rehabilitation situations. *Sending individuals to the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center also skews the cost per person. Typically, this training costs around $2,500 per month, with some cases reaching totals of $20,000 or more. While only part of these costs are reflected in cost per client in the regular rehabilitation program, the full cost of this residential training is figured into the Choice cost per client. *Finally, the cost of Consumer Connectors is included in the average cost per person. These costs are not incurred for individuals in the regular rehabilitation program because such services are not available. These services range between $500 $1,200 per person who stay in the project. REPLICATION Each of these strategies is based heavily on respect for the individual to make choices regarding career and what is needed to achieve success. The values underscoring these concepts are profoundly important, even more so than the operational parameters that make them work. So, replication demands a rejuvenation of leadership and revitalization of values held by counselors and others. Since it is the approach of rehabilitation services toward the individuals they support that is targeted for change, the salient factors of implementing these strategies are not impacted significantly by geographic location or cultural diversity factors. These strategies are currently being accomplished with success in a ten county area of extreme poverty, few services, high unemployment, low income, high cultural diversity and massively rural. While valuable for any participant, the personcentered planning process appears to be most valuable for those individuals who experience the most complicated disabilities. Administrative costs of replication are limited. The planning process and empowerment training can be provided with little additional cost to programs beyond expanded or redirected staff time. The curriculum for training is currently being developed for publication. Alternative funding sources may be possible to provide consumer connector services. National consultants experienced in the design, implementation and evaluation of these concepts are available to assist those interested in replication particularly through staff training, conference presentations, program review, and evaluation. Reasonable consultant time and expenses must be covered by interested parties. Materials are also available. #[\  P P#Southwest Business, Industry and Rehabilitation Association (SWBIRA)  CLIENT CHOICE PROJECT#%G\  P%P# yxdddy PROJECT OVERVIEW SWBIRA's Client Choice Project is a new initiative designed to demonstrate ways to increase client choice in the rehabilitation process, including enabling clients to have choice in the development of a "clientdriven" written vocational plan, and choice in the manner that providers are selected, thereby improving the quality of the rehabilitation process. It is a case managementbased system that will give clients access to the entire range of services necessary for a work attempt. The objectives of this project are to: provide selfdirected rehabilitation services to 643 eligible disabled persons over 5 years; establish a primary collaboration with the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Secondary collaborations will also be established with other organizations such as the local mental health services coordinating entity (COMCARE) for the purpose of identifying eligible disabled persons; conduct other outreach activities as necessary to recruit a sufficient number of participants; set up a network of approximately 50 service providers which will address a comprehensive variety of rehabilitation needs; devise a payment system for the purchase of costeffective services utilizing both vouchers and purchase orders; place 80% of project participants in successful employment with 45% retaining employment for 60 days. Services will be provided at no cost to the participants and may include one or more of the following: Job placement and postplacement assistance; Job readiness training; Job coaching/onthejob training; Financial counseling; Worksite accommodation; Physical rehabilitation and restoration services; Therapy/family counseling;Transportation and other support; and/or Special training. Eligibility Residents of Maricopa County, Arizona, who have any documentable physical or mental impairment to employment, who are unemployed and not currently receiving services under an individualized written rehabilitation program established through a designated State unit, and who can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome are eligible participants. Sources of participants will primarily be through collaborative arrangements with the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency and the local mental health services coordinating agency, COMCARE. General community recruitment will also be conducted. UNIQUE FEATURES/INNOVATIVE PRACTICES The two major elements of the project are: 1) The Written Vocational Plan (WVP)  The client, as well as family members, guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives, will fully participate in the development of a "clientdriven" written vocational plan. The WVP will include the client's vocational rehabilitation goals, case manager objectives, the services to be provided, projected dates for initiation and anticipated duration, and an evaluation procedure and schedule for determining whether the goals are being achieved. 2) Purchase Power Clients will be educated regarding possible providers and will be given the option of using vouchers to provide them with "purchase power" to arrange and purchase services from the providers of their choice. The education of clients will be accomplished by providing clients with "service provider handbooks." The project will feature several innovative activities: an advisory board of case management specialists, State VR, COMCARE, rehabilitation professionals, disabled clients, community representatives and Advocacy Groups; this committee will be involved in the development and implementation of the project in an advisory capacity; specific attention will be given to recruitment of handicapped persons full participation by the client in the development of the WVP to empower the client as s/he becomes involved in the rehabilitation process service provider handbooks and educational materials for clients that include agency and service descriptions established agreements with a variety of service providers offering services at prenegotiated costeffective rates complete vocational assessments for clients not tied into existing service systems when appropriate comprehensive team vocational planning meetings availability of voucher system for direct service purchasing by client, or second option of case manager arranging services (#%W2%#client's choice#%G\  P%P#) biannual evaluation of quality of services provided including client input case management monitoring system for client progress and service provision an evaluation component for project progress and success a form will be developed and provided to clients to advise them of the Client Assistance Program (CAP) and how to access it; this will be augmented by a question and answer session with each client and advocate when appropriate specific to corporate appeals procedures (internal) as well as CAP appeal (external). AREAS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SWBIRA's project has provided technical assistance regarding the use of vouchers in purchasing services for clients. It has produced an Operating Procedures Manual for the purpose of training project staff, and a Service Provider Manual which is used by participants to choose vendors. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA Between January 24, 1994, through December 31, 1996, SWBIRA's project has: contacted 1,693 individuals. enrolled 673 participants. provided assessments to 469 participants (this is the base group). provided additional services to 318 participants. placed 218 participants, 182 of which have achieved 60 day job retention and thus have become "successful closures." This is a placement rate of 46% of the base group, and an 83% 60day retention rate. 218 were closed as "unsuccessful closures" or did not maintain employment for 60 days and were terminated from the project. 196 individuals receive SSI and/or SSDI benefits. approximately 25% of participants have prior VR experience. currently, 51 participants are in active ("training") status, and 18 are in employment status working towards their 60 day retention (our project does not follow participants after 60 days on the job). selfemployment is not a goal of SWBIRA's project. average hourly wage is $6.94, or $14,435.20 annualized. The range is minimum wage to $16.83 per hour. Contact Information:  Lee Lanning, Project Director SWBIRA 2222 North 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 2750180/ 2750390 FAX #[\  PP#Center for Independent Living #%G\  P%P#  #u\  PP#Client Enhancement and Empowerment Project #%G\  P%P# yxdddy The Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Berkeley, CA, has one of the seven choice Demonstration Projects in the nation. CIL is the only Independent Living Center operating one of the five year Choice Demonstration grants. The projects focus is to enhance choices and provide empowerment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Highlights of the Project yxdddy Interest in small business, homebased business and self employment have been at high demand in the CIL project, stretching the traditional views of vocational rehabilitation services. The CEEP project has been instrumental in assisting over 70 consumers to be selfemployed and/or operating a small business. The project has become known as "experts in small business development" for individuals with disabilities by many of the vocational programs and rehabilitation counselors in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Rest of the Story yxdddy The Project works with people who experience various types of disabilities, economic and environmental issues. The CEEP has worked with 370 consumers in the first three and a half years. The project has been successful in identifying several trends leading to the success of persons with disabilities in achieving their vocational goals. Services provided include, but are not limited to, small business/selfemployment, continuing education, certificate training programs, education in blue collar trades, employment readiness skills, placement assistance, access to technology, transportation and regular empowerment seminars and workshops. Selfdirection is the key to the success of the Client enhancement and empowerment Project. The following represents the key components of the CEEP: a)Consumers are given fiscal boundaries from the very beginning. During the group orientation to the CEEP attendees are clearly told that all vocational plans must average $3,800. Consumers have responded well to knowing what funds are available to them and how those funds can be used. While many plans developed in the CEEP project cost more than $3800 the project's goal is to keep the average of the 100 persons served per year to $3800. Consumers needing adaptive technology, specialized training, personal assistance, sign language interpreting, and other services develop plans that may significantly exceed the $3800 average. When the consumer knows the limits of their "budget" they look for more affordable services, technology, training, and education. b)Consumers are empowered to arrange and receive services with any qualified provider, business, accredited school, or any other vocational services provider that will enable them to achieve their vocational goals. Having an open vendor system has empowered the project's consumers to search out the provider who best matches with their specific needs and skill level. This freedom in choosing providers also holds the consumer accountable to follow through on their vocational plan's various objectives and tasks; And even to terminate services if they are not satisfied with the vendor or services received. c)Consumers have all the necessary resources available to them for advocacy. The project staff is trained to teach and assist consumers in understanding their rights and advocating for themselves. The CEEP project continues to provide workshops on the ADA, selfempowerment, selfadvocacy, numerous employment issues and topics related to small business development and operation. d)Consumers are encouraged to pursue vocational goals not readily supported by traditional vocational rehabilitation systems. The dignity of risk is in itself empowering for the consumers. Providing freedom to choose the vocational goal, the project makes an investment in the persons desire and fortitude to achieve goals which may at first sight appear to be unreasonable and /or unrealistic. Few consumers have failed due to choosing an "unrealistic" vocational goal. Rather, the opportunity to achieve is so empowering that often the consumer achieves the unachievable. e)Persons interested in establishing small businesses are required to submit a complete business plan similar to what the Small Business Administration (SBA) requires. Each consumer is expected to learn basics in small business development and operation, to understand budgeting, realistic income projections, licensing requirements and implement meaningful marketing strategies. Consumers choosing this vocational goal have achieved significant levels of success in their homebased small business and/or selfemployment. The following are examples of the types of employment outcomes achieved by consumers of the CEEP. Wordprocessing Service  Ms. B is a low vision consumer who had been a registered nurse for 25+ years. Due to the exacerbation of her disability she felt it was time for a career change. The project assisted Ms. B in writing a business plan which included equipment, reference materials, fax machine and with guidance from project staff a CCTV. Today Ms. B is successfully operating her homebusiness and doing what she likes best.  TherapistBody Talk  Ms. M experiences chronic pain to the point that she is not able to be active in any physical capacity. Ms. M now uses her only her voice to help other chronic pain sufferers control their pain through visualization therapy. This type of therapy, although very alternative, is in high demand in the Bay Area from those choosing treatment in the emerging holistic health field. Ms. M. was provided voice coaching, a voice activated computer, support services and assisted with her small business development activities. The service is provided on a sliding fee scale of $30 to $80 per session. Ms. M is well on her way to eliminating her dependence on public assistance. Building Contractor ĩ Mr. T experiences a severe learning disability and needed assistance in reading/mathematics in order to complete and pass the contractors licensing examination. Under the direction of Mr. T a tutor was hired and Mr. T obtained the reaming materials necessary to prepare for the licensing exam. He passed the examination and today is a very proud licensed building contractor. Computer Programmer  Ms. R. has been on  SSI for more than 20 years  and been sick with Environmental Illness and episodes of mental illness. Ms. R. came into the project looking for training and upgrades for home computer to practice C++ programming and several other programming software packages. Ms. R. was hired by a local company to work as an intern (less than $20K per year). During her internship she was recruited by another company at $35K per year. Ms. R was able to work with Choice Project staff in interviewing skills, how to request reasonable accommodation, equipment upgrades, computer classes, medication and moral support. Ms. R. continues to work as a computer programmer and is extremely happy! Demographics and Outcomes (October 1993 through March 1997) yxdddy h@ Total number consumers qualified:hh#367 Current Open Cases:hh#209 Closed Cases:hh#158 Successful closure:hh#69 Unsuccessful closures:hh#10 Did Not Complete:hh#79 Female:hh#203 Male:hh#164 hEthnicity: RTh 367records available African American:RTh 102(28%) Asian:Rh!32(8%) Latino:Rh!20(5.%) Native American:R h"5(.01%) White:RTh 173(47%) Other:Rh!35(9%) Previous State Vocational Rehabilitation Experience(within past 36 months) Previously Rehabilitated closed with 26R`+30 Closed as not RehabilitatedR*137 No previous history with VRR*182 Not accepted for services from VR*R`+18 #4\  PP#*Reasons individuals were not accepted for services from the state VR agency varies, including but not limited to, "unrealistic vocational goals".#%G\  P%P# At Entry to the Project: c Receiving Public AssistanceR*267consumers:R~ C73% Small Business/SelfEmployment InterestR*154consumers:R~ C42% Clear GoalR*297consumers:R~ C87% Please contact the Project Manager to obtain information on the CEEP or any of the following: ĐYearend reports; Sample flyers on empowerment seminars/workshop; Orientation packets; Choice Video (To be completed 8/97); In person Seminars/Workshop on Choice by Project Staff, Explanation of protecting choice mi the process of authorizing vocational plans; Telephone consultation; And copies of the CEEP Small Business Directory. Michael Donnelly, Executive Director Terry "Herk" Herkimer, Project Manager Center for Independent Living 2539 Telegraph Avenue Berkeley, CA 947045108414776 5108483101 TDD 5108416168 FAX #[\  PP#Washington State DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATIONS CHOICE PROJECT #%G\  P%P# yxdddy Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has implemented their Choice Demonstration grant, the Participant Empowerment Project (PEP), to develop and design approaches that ensure the rehabilitation process is participantdriven. Strategies that are proven to be successful will and are being implemented statewide to assure rehabilitation services in Washington State are participantdriven. PEP has been responsible for developing strategies and approaches that encourage and call for participants to direct and guide their rehabilitation process. PEP has worked with the DVR training coordinator to design and implement a training that all DVR personnel have attended on participant choice. Counselors around the state of Washington have incorporated PEP's approaches and concepts into their caseloads. PEP's results to date are: * PEP has accepted 260 into the project. At acceptance into PEP, participants were unemployed, 156 were on public support. *110 of PEP's participants obtained employment in their chosen fields. Eightyeight percent of those participants have maintained their employment for over sixty days. *50 participants have or are attending school or training programs. *The sixtyfive participants who have closed their cases employed earn an average of $11.00 per hour and work an average of 32 hours per week. Thirteen of those participants closed their cases selfemployed. One hundred participants have closed their cases. REHABILITATION TEAMS yxdddy The rationale behind the Rehabilitation Team is the belief that holistic, effective vocational planning results when the participant chooses who is involved in their vocational planning. The Rehabilitation Team process has removed vocational planning from a more medical, problemsolving approach (with the counselor gathering the information and providing the solution), to a team approach that allows participants to define their strengths and have those strengths determine their vocational directions. Ninetyone percent of PEP's participants support the concept of the Rehabilitation Team. This data is from participant evaluations and focus groups that are in place to assure PEP is participantdriven. *PEP participants are asked to invite supportive individualsfriends, family or other professionals to be involved in their vocational planning process as team members. The first team meeting is facilitated by PEP staff using a modified version of Futures Planning. Teams take approximately fifteen to twenty percent of staff's time. *The role of the team is to help a participant establish a solid vocational plan, and to provide support and encouragement while the participant is implementing the plan. Rehabilitation teams help participants set obtainable goals for themselves and establish natural networking. *Each team meeting ends with an action plan that lists the steps to be accomplished in the next four to six weeks toward the individual's goal. These shortterm plans allow participants to have success that they can build upon. The short duration of plans allows participants to easily change or correct the plan if it is not working. The action plans form the foundation for the IWRP and assure that it is participant directed. CONTROL OF CASE SERVICE DOLLARS yxdddy PEP has found that in order for participants to direct their services, they must have influence over how their vocational dollars are spent. Participants in PEP have joint control over their money and services. They share this control with their rehabilitation team. The project attempts to give participants control and choice by several different methods. These methods have resulted in eighty percent of PEP participants feeling that they were provided choices in their rehabilitation. *Participants have the ability to directly choose and contract with providers of their choice for vocational or related services. Participants negotiate for the services they want directly with community providers. Participants are helped by staff and the team to have a clear idea of what they need from a provider prior to the negotiation. PEP also offers participants training on, How To Chose A Service Provider and How To Negotiate. Participants usually attend one of these trainings or work with staff this information prior to hiring a vendor. A participant can choose whether or not to have PEP involved in the actual negotiations. At the end of the negotiation, a contract is written between the participant and the provider. PEP receives a copy of that contract. This contract is written and honored as a contract, but is not a legal document. It is an agreement that delineates each person's responsibilities, how services will be provided, the expected outcome and reimbursement rate. *All bills and reports from the provider go directly to the participant. All reports that are written belong to participants. This includes diagnostic, assessment and placement information. PEP pays for services only after receiving authorization from the participant. *Each Participant has an account of $3,300 to draw on in order to pay for their rehabilitation needs. Participants have spent more due to their vocational needs but in most cases have spent less. The average cost of a case at closure is $2,500. The participant and his or her team determines how vocational dollars will be spent. Each month every participant receives a monthly accounting from PEP on expenditures. Participants decide when their cases are closed. INFORMATION yxdddy Providing information in a format that makes sense to the individual is critical in implementing a structure that facilitates participant choice. PEP provides information in a variety of formats through each stage of the rehabilitation process. Participants also provide feedback on the effectiveness of PEP's approaches. This information loop allows PEP to provide a structure that facilitates participantdirected services. 4` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8: