{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.5-169.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.5-169.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.5-169.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.5-169.1.html"}],"law_id":72305,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72305,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169.1","catch_line":"Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services","history":"2018, cc. 243, 377; 2019, cc. 851, 852.","full_text":"A\n\nLong-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services shall be provided in the Commonwealth to assist individuals with a significant disability or most significant disability with maintaining employment. The Department shall administer and make referrals for such services in accordance with the provisions of this section.B\n\nLong-Term Employment Support Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability, as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment through an employment services organization.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported, center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability shall be eligible to receive funding for Long-Term Employment Support Services.C\n\nExtended Employment Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability and individuals with a significant disability, as those terms are defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based or facility-based employment through an employment services organization. Extended Employment Services funds may also be used to support such individuals that transition from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment into community-based employment. Extended Employment Services shall be provided upon the informed choice of the individual being served and in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Employment First initiative, federal law and regulation, and the Commonwealth’s August 23, 2012, settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability or individuals with a significant disability, or that provide community-based employment services to such individuals transitioning from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment, shall be eligible to receive funding for Extended Employment Services.D\n\nThe Department shall make referrals to any employment services organization that provides competitive or commensurate wages and is eligible to receive state-funded Long-Term Employment Support Services pursuant to subsection B or Extended Employment Services pursuant to subsection C. The Department shall develop and implement a referral process to refer individuals to employment services organizations for services described in subsections B and C. Such referral process shall require that whenever an individual makes an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department, the Department shall refer the individual to eligible employment services organizations that provide the employment services sought by the individual within 15 days. Upon making such referrals, the Department shall provide to the employment services organization, in writing, (i) a referral letter that includes the skills, likes, dislikes, and desired outcome of the individual seeking services; (ii) certification that the individual made an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department; and (iii) the contact information of the individual seeking services. The Department shall also provide to the individual seeking services, in writing, (a) the contact information of the employment services organizations to which the individual is referred and (b) information and advice regarding the services available at such employment services organizations that will help the individual to prepare for, secure, maintain, or regain employment in accordance with the provisions of this section and applicable federal law and regulations. The Department shall provide training to all vocational rehabilitation counselors immediately upon employment and annually thereafter regarding the referral process established by the Department pursuant to this subsection.E\n\nIn allocating funds for Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services, the Department shall consider recommendations made by the Employment Service Organization Steering Committee established in § 51.5-169.2.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":260445,"text":"Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services shall be provided in the Commonwealth to assist individuals with a significant disability or most significant disability with maintaining employment. The Department shall administer and make referrals for such services in accordance with the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":260446,"text":"Long-Term Employment Support Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability, as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment through an employment services organization.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported, center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability shall be eligible to receive funding for Long-Term Employment Support Services.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":260447,"text":"Extended Employment Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability and individuals with a significant disability, as those terms are defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based or facility-based employment through an employment services organization. Extended Employment Services funds may also be used to support such individuals that transition from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment into community-based employment. Extended Employment Services shall be provided upon the informed choice of the individual being served and in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Employment First initiative, federal law and regulation, and the Commonwealth’s August 23, 2012, settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability or individuals with a significant disability, or that provide community-based employment services to such individuals transitioning from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment, shall be eligible to receive funding for Extended Employment Services.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":260448,"text":"The Department shall make referrals to any employment services organization that provides competitive or commensurate wages and is eligible to receive state-funded Long-Term Employment Support Services pursuant to subsection B or Extended Employment Services pursuant to subsection C. The Department shall develop and implement a referral process to refer individuals to employment services organizations for services described in subsections B and C. Such referral process shall require that whenever an individual makes an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department, the Department shall refer the individual to eligible employment services organizations that provide the employment services sought by the individual within 15 days. Upon making such referrals, the Department shall provide to the employment services organization, in writing, (i) a referral letter that includes the skills, likes, dislikes, and desired outcome of the individual seeking services; (ii) certification that the individual made an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department; and (iii) the contact information of the individual seeking services. The Department shall also provide to the individual seeking services, in writing, (a) the contact information of the employment services organizations to which the individual is referred and (b) information and advice regarding the services available at such employment services organizations that will help the individual to prepare for, secure, maintain, or regain employment in accordance with the provisions of this section and applicable federal law and regulations. The Department shall provide training to all vocational rehabilitation counselors immediately upon employment and annually thereafter regarding the referral process established by the Department pursuant to this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":260449,"text":"In allocating funds for Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services, the Department shall consider recommendations made by the Employment Service Organization Steering Committee established in § 51.5-169.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15209,"edition_id":1,"name":"Community-Based Services for People With Disabilities","identifier":"10","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12945,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:59","permalink":{"id":236739,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15209,"identifier":"10","token":"51.5\/14\/10","url":"\/51.5\/14\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12945,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12761,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":236679,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12945,"identifier":"14","token":"51.5\/14","url":"\/51.5\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12761,"edition_id":1,"name":"Persons With Disabilities","identifier":"51.5","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":236393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12761,"identifier":"51.5","token":"51.5","url":"\/51.5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74935,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-161","catch_line":"Awarding of grants; purposes; eligible applicants","url":"\/51.5-161\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-161","metadata":false},{"id":79374,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-162","catch_line":"Independent living services","url":"\/51.5-162\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-162","metadata":false},{"id":75926,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-163","catch_line":"Centers for independent living","url":"\/51.5-163\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-163","metadata":false},{"id":75105,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-164","catch_line":"Statewide Independent Living Council created","url":"\/51.5-164\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-164","metadata":false},{"id":61053,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-165","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/51.5-165\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-165","metadata":false},{"id":63836,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-166","catch_line":"Eligibility criteria","url":"\/51.5-166\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-166","metadata":false},{"id":78710,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-167","catch_line":"Participation by clients in cost of services","url":"\/51.5-167\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-167","metadata":false},{"id":57903,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-168","catch_line":"Rights of clients","url":"\/51.5-168\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-168","metadata":false},{"id":62871,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169","catch_line":"Cooperative agreements with community services boards and schools","url":"\/51.5-169\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169","metadata":false},{"id":72305,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169.1","catch_line":"Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services","url":"\/51.5-169.1\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169.1","metadata":false},{"id":72688,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169.2","catch_line":"Employment Service Organization Steering Committee; membership; terms","url":"\/51.5-169.2\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62871,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169","catch_line":"Cooperative agreements with community services boards and schools","url":"\/51.5-169\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72688,"structure_id":15209,"section_number":"51.5-169.2","catch_line":"Employment Service Organization Steering Committee; membership; terms","url":"\/51.5-169.2\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.5-169.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2018. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 243<\/a> and 377<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapters 851<\/a> and 852<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72688,"section_number":"51.5-169.2","catch_line":"Employment Service Organization Steering Committee; membership; terms","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.5-169.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72688,"section_number":"51.5-169.2","catch_line":"Employment Service Organization Steering Committee; membership; terms","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.5-169.2\/"}],"permalink":{"id":236777,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72305,"identifier":"51.5-169.1","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169.1","url":"\/51.5-169.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.5-169.1\/","token":"51.5\/14\/10\/51.5-169.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.5-169.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services shall be provided in the Commonwealth to assist individuals with a significant disability or most significant disability with maintaining employment. The Department<\/span> shall administer and make referrals for such services in accordance with the provisions of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Long-Term Employment Support Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability, as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment through an employment services organization<\/span>.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations<\/span> that provide group-supported, center-based, facility-based, or community-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability shall be eligible to receive funding for Long-Term Employment Support Services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Extended Employment Services shall be provided to individuals with a most significant disability and individuals with a significant disability, as those terms are defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based or facility-based employment through an employment services organization<\/span>. Extended Employment Services funds may also be used to support such individuals that transition from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment into community-based employment. Extended Employment Services shall be provided upon the informed choice of the individual being served and in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Employment First initiative, federal law<\/span> and regulation, and the Commonwealth’s August 23, 2012, settlement<\/span> agreement with the U.S. Department<\/span> of Justice.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations<\/span> that provide group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment services to individuals with a most significant disability or individuals with a significant disability, or that provide community-based employment services to such individuals transitioning from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment, shall be eligible to receive funding for Extended Employment Services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall make referrals to any employment services organization<\/span> that provides competitive or commensurate wages and is eligible to receive state-funded Long-Term Employment Support Services pursuant to subsection B or Extended Employment Services pursuant to subsection C. The Department<\/span> shall develop and implement a referral process to refer individuals to employment services organizations<\/span> for services described in subsections B and C. Such referral process shall require that whenever an individual makes an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department<\/span>, the Department<\/span> shall refer the individual to eligible employment services organizations<\/span> that provide the employment services sought by the individual within 15 days. Upon making such referrals, the Department<\/span> shall provide to the employment services organization<\/span>, in writing, (i) a referral letter that includes the skills, likes, dislikes, and desired outcome of the individual seeking services; (ii) certification that the individual made an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department<\/span>; and (iii) the contact information of the individual seeking services. The Department<\/span> shall also provide to the individual seeking services, in writing, (a) the contact information of the employment services organizations<\/span> to which the individual is referred and (b) information and advice regarding the services available at such employment services organizations<\/span> that will help the individual to prepare for, secure, maintain, or regain employment in accordance with the provisions of this section and applicable federal law<\/span> and regulations. The Department<\/span> shall provide training to all vocational rehabilitation counselors immediately upon employment and annually thereafter regarding the referral process established by the Department<\/span> pursuant to this subsection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In allocating funds for Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services, the Department<\/span> shall consider recommendations made by the Employment Service Organization Steering Committee established in § 51.5-169.2<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND EXTENDED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES (\u00a7\n51.5-169.1)\n\nA. Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended Employment Services shall\nbe provided in the Commonwealth to assist individuals with a significant\ndisability or most significant disability with maintaining employment. The\nDepartment shall administer and make referrals for such services in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section.\n\nB. Long-Term Employment Support Services shall be provided to individuals with a\nmost significant disability, as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such\nindividuals with maintaining group-supported employment or individual\ncenter-based, facility-based, or community-based employment through an\nemployment services organization.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported,\ncenter-based, facility-based, or community-based employment services to\nindividuals with a most significant disability shall be eligible to receive\nfunding for Long-Term Employment Support Services.\n\nC. Extended Employment Services shall be provided to individuals with a most\nsignificant disability and individuals with a significant disability, as those\nterms are defined in 29 U.S.C. § 705, to assist such individuals with\nmaintaining group-supported employment or individual center-based or\nfacility-based employment through an employment services organization. Extended\nEmployment Services funds may also be used to support such individuals that\ntransition from group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment into\ncommunity-based employment. Extended Employment Services shall be provided upon\nthe informed choice of the individual being served and in accordance with the\nCommonwealth’s Employment First initiative, federal law and regulation,\nand the Commonwealth’s August 23, 2012, settlement agreement with the U.S.\nDepartment of Justice.\n\t\t\tAll employment services organizations that provide group-supported,\ncenter-based, or facility-based employment services to individuals with a most\nsignificant disability or individuals with a significant disability, or that\nprovide community-based employment services to such individuals transitioning\nfrom group-supported, center-based, or facility-based employment, shall be\neligible to receive funding for Extended Employment Services.\n\nD. The Department shall make referrals to any employment services organization\nthat provides competitive or commensurate wages and is eligible to receive\nstate-funded Long-Term Employment Support Services pursuant to subsection B or\nExtended Employment Services pursuant to subsection C. The Department shall\ndevelop and implement a referral process to refer individuals to employment\nservices organizations for services described in subsections B and C. Such\nreferral process shall require that whenever an individual makes an informed\nchoice to pursue an employment outcome that is not considered a competitive\nintegrated employment setting by the Department, the Department shall refer the\nindividual to eligible employment services organizations that provide the\nemployment services sought by the individual within 15 days. Upon making such\nreferrals, the Department shall provide to the employment services organization,\nin writing, (i) a referral letter that includes the skills, likes, dislikes, and\ndesired outcome of the individual seeking services; (ii) certification that the\nindividual made an informed choice to pursue an employment outcome that is not\nconsidered a competitive integrated employment setting by the Department; and\n(iii) the contact information of the individual seeking services. The Department\nshall also provide to the individual seeking services, in writing, (a) the\ncontact information of the employment services organizations to which the\nindividual is referred and (b) information and advice regarding the services\navailable at such employment services organizations that will help the\nindividual to prepare for, secure, maintain, or regain employment in accordance\nwith the provisions of this section and applicable federal law and regulations.\nThe Department shall provide training to all vocational rehabilitation\ncounselors immediately upon employment and annually thereafter regarding the\nreferral process established by the Department pursuant to this subsection.\n\nE. In allocating funds for Long-Term Employment Support Services and Extended\nEmployment Services, the Department shall consider recommendations made by the\nEmployment Service Organization Steering Committee established in §\n51.5-169.2.\n\nHISTORY: 2018, cc. 243, 377; 2019, cc. 851, 852.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}