Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual
Table of Contents | Search the Manual
Section 133.7 - Vocational Crisis
Purpose
Vocational Crisis Services are disability-related supports provided to prevent job loss. If an individual is at risk of losing their job, Vocational Crisis Services funding is available on a priority basis to support the individual to be maintained in their job with the same employer.
A Vocational Crisis is distinguishable from Employment Supports in that a Vocational Crisis is short-term and emergency related, and is required to save or retain a job. Vocational Crisis may also be the first or only service requested for the participant.
The following criteria must be met before using vocational crisis intervention supports:
- Employment is 15 hours per week or more.
- Employment is anticipated to be ongoing.
- Wages are minimum wage or above.
Process
A Vocational Crisis intervention process may be activated at any time by the Vocational Counsellor when it can be verified that the participant is at risk of job loss due to disability-related factors. Approval for Vocational Crisis Services requires information regarding the intervention and disability-related funding requirements. This must be provided as soon as intervention plans have been finalized. The range of Vocational Crisis Services eligible for funding includes:
- funding for disability-related equipment costs, including repairs and equipment replacement; or
- work with an employer to bring about a job redesign to accommodate physical or mental health issues.
- Employment Supports in the form of a job coach or as otherwise described in the Employment Supports sections of this manual.
Provincial and Federal Governments are not included and have an obligation to provide the accommodations and supports necessary (for their employees) to retain employment.
Standards
The following standards apply:
- Vocational Crisis Services may be approved when:
- the support service is not available as a part of a universal plan;
- the disability-related equipment/technology required is not normally provided by the employer and the employer is not able to fund the entire cost of accommodation; or
- financial hardship will be created for the participant and their family because the participant's income is insufficient to purchase or repair disability-related equipment. If possible, the participant is expected to contribute to the disability-related expenditures from income.
- Where the supports required to address the vocational crisis are best met by a job coach or similar service, funding will be limited to the equivalent of a maximum of 200 hours of Employment Supports from an Employment and Training Centre over a 12 month period of time.
