As a provider of Supported Employment Services I strongly object to the proposed Waiver Services - Section 12 VAC 30-120.

Best practices within Supported Employment services dictate a need for qualified professionals to assist the individual in search of employment as a means of reaching their full postential in the community.  The current proposed requirements for individuals to provide consumer directed SE services are indadequate.  Supported Employment is a nationally accredited CARF service.  CARF includes the minimum requirements necessary to carry out this service.  Adequate training and qualifications are essential in order to maintain the integrity of the SE profession within the business community.  A bad experience within the business community can have negative impacts resulting in fewer job opportunities available to individuals who benefit from inclusion and integration through employment.

Waiver participants utilizing the consumer directed SE service deserve the same quality that other participants of SE services enjoy.

Regards,

mhenson@socent.org