CRP Pre-employment Career Training (PECT) Program

Description of Supplies and Services (Exhibit A)

The Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS) requires the timely execution of all initial and amended contractual agreements. Providers will have 14 business days to sign and return the required contract documents issued by the State, which may include one or more of the following: initial contract signature page, amendment page, Financial Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest, Standard Certification, and the Taxpayer Identification Page. Non-compliance may result in a modified start date of the contract to align with the Providers submission of the required execution documents. Providers will not be reimbursed for services provided in advance of the modified start date. When a contract amendment is issued to reduce the value of the contract, non-compliance may result in the full de-obligation of the contract balance regardless of the amended amount.

This contract is a unique program under the direction of IDHS-DRS with the students with disabilities at Chicago Public Schools who are provided opportunities to explore and gain work skills by participating in Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) under Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Services are provided by Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRP). The goal for each student participant is a Work-Based Learning Experience that is in a competitive, integrated employment setting.

This contract is for purchase of care services related to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program between IDHS-DRS and the CRP named previously in this agreement and thereafter referred to as Provider.

Under this contract, the services provided by the Provider are only available to students with disabilities who need Pre-ETS and are eligible for IDHS-DRS program and receiving services in accordance with an approved Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). IDHS-DRS must approve and authorize the WBLE prior to provision of those services. The IPE will list this service, along with the approved service dates.

A student with a disability in Illinois is defined as one who will be at least 14 and not older than 21 years of age or fall under Public Act 102-0172 which extends eligibility to the end of the regular school year for students whose 22nd birthday falls within a regular school term. The individual must be in a secondary education program and must be eligible for and receiving special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or is a student who is an individual with a disability for the purposes of section 504 of the Federal Register.

Pre-ETS provide an early start to job exploration and assist students with disabilities in identifying career interests which may be further pursued through additional IDHS-DRS services, such as transition services and other individualized VR services.

IDHS-DRS staff are exclusively responsible for determination of disability of an individual for the VR program as well as eligibility determination for VR applicants. When IDHS-DRS has an order of selection, IDHS-DRS staff are exclusively responsible for placement of an individual into a category under the order of selection policy. If the student is in a priority category that is closed, but already has begun receiving services, they will be able to continue to receive any of the five Pre-ETS while they wait. If they do not receive services, they will be placed on a wait list and not be able to begin services until their disability priority category is open and an IPE is developed. School personnel may provide IDHS-DRS with diagnostic and evaluative information concerning an individual's disabling condition and functional capacities, with the understanding that the certification of eligibility is to be made by qualified IDHS-DRS staff. Services provided under this contract are a collaboration between the student/guardian, the school district, the Provider, and IDHS-DRS. Providers are expected to employ a variety of techniques and services necessary in obtaining and maintaining community based WBLE in a competitive employment setting, that is consistent with the vocational goal identified on the IPE.

WBLE is defined below.

Work-based learning experiences (WBLE): Enhanced opportunities for students with disabilities to practice and improve workplace skills in competitive integrated work settings which goes beyond what is provided by the education agency as a transition service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experiences outside the traditional school setting (including internships). The Provider secures sites for WBLE in the community in competitive integrated employment settings to the maximum extent possible (approved by IDHS-DRS counselor) that are compatible with students' interests and needs. An exhaustive effort to provide these in an integrated setting must occur, prior to the consideration of providing these in a non-integrated work setting. To the maximum extent possible, there should be actual work experiences in an integrated community environment to prepare students for competitive integrated employment. Placements that segregate or replicate sub-minimum work will not count under this contract.

CIE means work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis (including self-employment) and for which the customer is compensated with the customary wage and level of benefits, but not less than minimum wage and; Is not less than customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performance performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities in similar occupations; In the case of an individual who is self-employed, yields an income that is comparable to the income received by other individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar tasks; Is eligible for the level of benefits provided to other employees; Is in a location in the community where the individual with a disability interacts with individuals without disabilities; and, Has opportunities for advancement that are similar to those for other employees who have no disabilities and are in similar positions.

Milestones/Deliverables: (Exhibit B)

Chicago Public Schools students with a disability are provided opportunities for WBLE in employer paid, competitive integrated settings. These allow for exploration and building of work skills while the student is in high school.

Program Deliverables

1. Referrals for this program will come from the local IDHS-DRS office. The IDHS-DRS counselor will determine the eligibility of the students and develop an IPE that includes the CRP to provide the WBLE. A Notification of Services (NOS) must also be included.

2. Ensure program accessibility to all students with disabilities including students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind.

3. Completion of the Knowledge Check document after service provision, developed by IDHS-DRS, for the identified Pre-ETS are required to demonstrate progress. Results will be shared quarterly.

4. Provider will secure sites for the WBLE in a CIE setting that are compatible with the students' interest and needs.

5. Under the WBLE, the employment must be unsubsidized to meet the criteria for payment. This means that wages are paid in full by the employer, and there is no wage reimbursement or partial reimbursement from other sources. All state and federal labor laws will be met.

6. Students will work with or without support(s) to achieve the 90-day WBLE goal. Verification of employment will be submitted with this billing. This will include wage records, or paycheck information.

7. Monthly progress notes will be submitted with the billing. Progress notes will contain information on progression towards goals and support provided during the month.

Under this contract, only one WBLE can be billed per student per school year. This does allow for the possibility of multiple WBLE on the same student when served during different school years with IDHS-DRS approval.

The IDHS-DRS customers participating in CRP-PECT Program will remain open through high school exit, due to receiving additional services through IDHS-DRS and Chicago Public Schools.

For Telecommunication and Interpreter Compliance, refer to the Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) Manual.

The following billing and reporting requirements apply:

1. The provider must submit to both the IDHS-DRS Local Office(s), where the customers are served, and the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor the Group Billing Sheet and progress notes by fax, e-mail and/ or regular mail by the 5thbusiness day of the month. The CRP PECT Program Billing Sheet must include Customer name, the last four of the Social Security number (SSN), with the WBLE service being billed. Identification of the month/year, IDHS-DRS Office Location being billed, and Provider demographic being billed.

2. If there is no billing for that month, an e-mail will be sent stating that to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. Email Local IDHS-DRS Office as requested.

3. A roster of customers served on the contract for the Fiscal Year will be sent with the billing to the Local IDHS-DRS Office and to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. This will assist with forecasting utilization needs on the contract.

4. Verification of employment will be submitted with each WBLE (15-day, 45-day, and the 90-day) to the Local IDHS-DRS Office and the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. This will include wage records, or paycheck information. This may be reviewed by IDHS-DRS Quality Assurance as requested.

5. IDHS-DRS counselor will review and approve billing of WBLE based on documentation provided. They then submit to their IDHS-DRS Supervisor who reviews and submits to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor by the 15th of the month, or the following business day if this falls on a weekend or holiday.

6. On site reviews of contractual requirements, including Provider files, will be performed once every three years. Based on findings, a Corrective Action Plan may be issued, with a return visit within a six-month time frame to assess compliance.

7. The IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor will conduct quarterly meetings to review utilization of the contract and reconcile billings with the Provider. This will include an additional layer of verification for the monthly billing review.

8. Final Reconciliation of a contractual agreement will follow prescribed timeframes communicated annually, or final payment could be delayed, or even denied.

The following information is critical to ensure timely payments and program operations:

  1. Incomplete, inaccurate forms required for payment will result in delayed payments.
  2. Non-compliance per Provider Responsibilities/Assurances may result in suspension of payments until IDHS/DRS is satisfied that compliance concerns have been addressed.
  3. The final billing should be clearly marked as such on all forms required for payment.

Program Standards:

Accreditation- per IDHS-DRS Rules found at 89 IL Adm. Code 530.5 PART 530 CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS OF SERVICES IN COMMUNITY REHABILITATION AGENCIES : Sections Listing

Per Administrative Rule 530, detailed above, if accreditation is required, the CRP must submit a copy of the most recent national accreditation survey report to Transition and Community Rehabilitation Services (TCRS) by email to (DHS.CommunityResources@illinois.gov) or by regular mail within 30 days of receipt.

The Provider is required to comply with all provisions outlined in 2 CFR 200.327 Contract provisions, Appendix II to Part 200-Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards

In addition to other provisions required by the Federal agency or non-Federal entity, all contracts made by the non-Federal entity under the Federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable.

(A) Contracts for more than the simplified acquisition threshold, which is the inflation adjusted amount determined by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 1908, must address administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances where contractors violate or breach contract terms, and provide for such sanctions and penalties as appropriate.

(B) All contracts in excess of $10,000 must address termination for cause and for convenience by the non-Federal entity including the manner by which it will be effected and the basis for settlement.

(C) Equal Employment Opportunity. Except as otherwise provided under 41 CFR Part 60, all contracts that meet the definition of "federally assisted construction contract" in 41 CFR Part 60-1.3 must include the equal opportunity clause provided under 41 CFR 60-1.4(b), in accordance with Executive Order 11246, "Equal Employment Opportunity" (30 FR 12319, 12935, 3 CFR Part, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339), as amended by Executive Order 11375, "Amending Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity," and implementing regulations at 41 CFR part 60, "Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor."

(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5, "Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and Assisted Construction"). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The non-Federal entity must place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicitation. The decision to award a contract or subcontract must be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage determination. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency. The contracts must also include a provision for compliance with the Copeland "Anti-Kickback" Act (40 U.S.C. 3145), as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 3, "Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United States"). The Act provides that each contractor or subrecipient must be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the compensation to which he or she is otherwise entitled. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency.

(E) Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708). Where applicable, all contracts awarded by the non-Federal entity in excess of $100,000 that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers must include a provision for compliance with 40 U.S.C. 3702 and 3704, as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 5). Under 40 U.S.C. 3702 of the Act, each contractor must be required to compute the wages of every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard work week is permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not less than one and a half times the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the work week. The requirements of 40 U.S.C. 3704 are applicable to construction work and provide that no laborer or mechanic must be required to work in surroundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These requirements do not apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for transportation or transmission of intelligence.

(F) Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement. If the Federal award meets the definition of "funding agreement" under 37 CFR § 401.2 (a) and the recipient or subrecipient wishes to enter into a contract with a small business firm or nonprofit organization regarding the substitution of parties, assignment or performance of experimental, developmental, or research work under that "funding agreement," the recipient or subrecipient must comply with the requirements of 37 CFR Part 401, "Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements," and any implementing regulations issued by the awarding agency.

(G) Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387), as amended-Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $150,000 must contain a provision that requires the non-Federal award to agree to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387). Violations must be reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

(H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)-A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must not be made to parties listed on the governmentwide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), "Debarment and Suspension." SAM Exclusions contains the names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549.

(I) Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)-Contractors that apply or bid for an award exceeding $100,000 must file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352. Each tier must also disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier to tier up to the non-Federal award.

(J) See § 200.323.

(K) See § 200.216.

(L) See § 200.322.

Pricing (Exhibit C)

CRP PECT Program:

15 Day WBLE - Up to XX customers can be served at a rate of $860 each.

45 Day WBLE - Up to XX customers can be served at a rate of $1,290 each.

90 Day WBLE - Up to XX customers can be served at a rate of $2,150 each.

Projected Number of Customers to be Served:

Total Contract Value:

Providers submit - CRP PECT Program Group Billing Sheet and progress notes for payment upon completion of the WBLE.

All billings should be reconciled during the quarterly meetings with the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor. Missed billing for the 1st and 2nd quarters will be submitted no later than the last business day of January. Missed billing for the 3rd and 4th quarters will be submitted no later than the 5th business day of July. No reimbursement for billings submitted after those deadlines will be approved.

Notwithstanding the content outlined in Section 2 Pricing and Section 2 sub section Types of Pricing and Price for the Initial Term, changes or modifications to Providers Pricing are strictly prohibited without prior written approval from the IDHS-DRS Transition and Community Rehabilitation Services Manager. Modifications made without prior written approval will not be reimbursed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the meaning of the Section Maximum Amount.

Funding may not be used to pay for alcoholic beverages; and cannot be used to pay for entertainment, which includes costs for amusement, diversion, and social activities. A Provider hosting a meeting or conference may not use funds to pay for food for conference attendees unless doing so is necessary to accomplish the legitimate meeting or conference business. Provider must receive written pre-approval to use grant funds to host a meeting or conference that includes food. Furthermore, all meeting or conference materials or publicity of any nature paid for with these funds must include appropriate disclaimers that identify the IDHS-DRS as the sponsoring agency and must not be released without prior written approval from the State's Authorized Representative.

All publicity and/or public action must also include a provision that the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the IDHS-DRS nor is it an endorsement. For purposes of this provision, publicity includes notices, informational pamphlets, press releases, research, reports, signs, and similar public notices prepared by or for the Provider individually or jointly with others, with respect to the program, publications, or services provided resulting from the grant agreement or subsequent amendments.

Performance Measures (Exhibit E)

Performance measures will be reviewed monthly to the IDHS-DRS Contract Advisor on the CRP PECT Program Group Billing Sheet. The Knowledge Check information will be measured quarterly.

  • of customers maintaining the WBLE for 15 days. This will be measured monthly by comparing the total customers served from the roster to the number of customers completing 15-days of the WBLE.
  • of customers maintaining the WBLE for 45 days. This will be measured monthly by comparing the customers who reached both a 15 day and 45-days of the WBLE.
  • of customers maintaining the WBLE for 90 days. This will be measured monthly by comparing the customers who reached both a 45 day and a 90-day of the WBLE.
  • of customers with a WBLE that fit within their stated vocational interests.

Performance Standards (Exhibit F)

If these baseline requirements are not met for two consecutive years, a corrective action plan may be initiated.

At least 70% of students referred, obtain a WBLE in a competitive integrated employment setting.

At least 70% of customers served will maintain the WBLE for 15 days.

At least 80% of customers achieving a 15-day employment outcome will maintain the WBLE for 45 days.

At least 80% of customers achieving a 45-day employment outcome will maintain the WBLE for 90 days.

At least 70% of customers participating in the WBLE demonstrate an understanding of this Pre-ETS.