Individual Job Coach

All Job Coaches regardless of hourly reimbursement rate will have:

1. Good oral and written communication skills.
2. Reliable transportation and be able to move from worksite to worksite.
3. The ability to meet the physical requirements of the various jobs assigned.
4. The ability to work flexible work schedules to include nights, weekends, and holidays.
5. Successful/stable personal work experience.

All Job Coaches regardless of hourly reimbursement rate will:

1. Submit a written or electronic resume.
2. Have references contacted.
3. Be at least 19 years of age.
4. Pass a Background Screen conducted by NDE General Counsel.
5. Complete an interview conducted by the Office Director.
6. Supply his/her own tools and uniform to carry out the job coaching responsibilities.

Maximum of $15/hour	Maximum of $20/hour	Maximum of $25/hour	Maximum of $30/hour
High School Diploma or GED	High School Diploma or GED and 1 year or more experience in working with individuals with disabilities*	Associates Degree in Human Services and 1 year or more experience in working with individuals with disabilities Or High School Diploma or GED and 2 years or more experience in working with individuals with disabilities preferably as job coach	Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and 1 year or more experience in working with individuals with disabilities Or High School Diploma or GED and 3 years or more experience in working with individuals with disabilities preferably as job coach
At LEAST 2 years of successful, stable work history

*Experience is defined as working with individuals with a disability in a training, teaching or job coaching capacity.

Agency or Business Provided Job Coach

The Office Director will interview the agency director or business owner and consider the following factors when establishing an hourly reimbursement rate with an agency or business:

1. Hiring criteria for job coaches.
2. Training and experience related to the service(s) to be provided; the necessary skills, mental and physical capacities needed to provide the service(s); and the ability to adapt activities to the unique needs of persons with disabilities.
3. Availability of job coaches to initiate services in timely manner and provide backup in case of primary job coach absence.
4. Experience and ability to serve specialized disability populations.
5. Supervision or over site provided to job coaches.
6. The holding of applicable state or local licenses, certifications, registrations, or permits related to the service(s) to be provided.

Competency demonstrated in the responses to the factors described above would support a rate of $30 per hour. However, based on the Office Director’s interview with the agency director or business owner a rate of less than $30 could be negotiated as appropriate.

Transportation

Paying a job coach or provider to transport a consumer is not allowable. If mileage is checked on the service agreement VR can pay for mileage (when it exceeds 25 miles round trip), but only for the job coach to get to the work site to provide the actual job coaching.

Cancellation of Service

When less than 24 hours notice of cancellation is given to a job coach, the job coach may bill the two-hour minimum or 50% of that day’s assignment whichever is greater.  It is understood that if the job coach accepts any other assignment from any other source during the period covered by the cancelled assignment, he/she may not bill for more than the two-hour minimum.

Job Coach Responsibilities

Job coach responsibilities include: 

• Getting to know the VR client; Establishing and maintaining an appropriate work relationship with clients;
• Identifying the employer expectations;
• Teaching the job tasks;
• Helping to increase work performance;
• Reinforcing workplace rules
• Teaching and modeling appropriate work behaviors and social skills;
• Bridging communication; and
• Allowing opportunity for the individual to make choices and self-advocate.

More information about these responsibilities can be found in the Job Coach Manual (August 2010):  http://vris.vr.ne.gov/groups/vris/wiki/455dd/Job_Coach_Manual.html

Based on client needs, it may be appropriate for VR to provide short-term support to a client when starting a new job. Job coaching may include but is not limited to attending a new hire orientation and periodic visits to the employment site to ensure job stability and employer satisfaction.

Termination

Nebraska VR has the option of immediately terminating Job Coaching services in the case of felony, fraud, false claims, crimes of neglect, and abuse, illness, death, injury, or fire.

DHHS Registry Check

W-9 & ACH Enrollment