I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Money Follows the Person Fast Track Regulations.  Supported Employment service providers have worked hard to establish core competencies and training for the Employment Specialists who provide these services.  The current proposed regulation disregards these requirements and instead establishes minimal requirements that have nothing to do with the person's ability to provide support to all stakeholders.              

The core competencies for an Employment Specialist include the ability to conduct in-depth assssments of an individual's vocational strenghts and barriers.  This is done through observations in community-based employment settings.  The ability to complete a job anaysis and task analysis for training is essential.  Developing and maintaining relationships with the business community in order to match a prospective employee to a job is crucial.  The abilitiy to listen to and communicate with the individual, the employer, the case manager, the family and any other person who is part of the team is necessary.  Problem soving skills and the ability to anticipate them is critical to the long term employment success.

These skills far exceed the minimum requirements as outlined in the proposed regulations.  While I am  supportive of consumer-directed services including consumer-directed supported employment, I can not support a regulation that allows for the provision of second rate services to individuals who deserve much more than they often recieve.

Christine Heiby

cheiby@iconservices.org

MQ