Supported Employment Training Project

Interested in Providing Supported Employment through OVR?

Apply to be a Community Rehabilitation Program

Supported Employment in Kentucky begins with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). To provide Supported Employment, you must become a vendor with OVR as a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP). The application process will require the following:

  1. Vendor Application: This is a general application for doing business with OVR.
  2. Vendor Agreement: Terms that approved vendors must sign and adhere to annually to continue providing services.
  3. Vendor Manual (CRP Manual begins on page 20): Provides additional information on doing business with OVR, attachments required for the CRP Vendor Application (see page 26), and additional expectations. Note the manual links you to the current manual, updated May 2026.
  4. Secretary of State’s Office: Vendors must be in good standing.
  5. Kentucky Tax Registration: You must apply/register for a Sales and Use or a Consumer’s Use tax account. All vendors, whether out of state, for-profit, or non-profit, must hold an account with the Department of Revenue by statute.
  6. A Vendor Self-Service (VSS) Account: Register for a VSS account once you receive your approval letter.

Tips:

Below are tips to consider when completing the Supported Employment provider application process. This page is provided for informational purposes. For assistance with completing the CRP services portion of the application, please email OVRCRP@ky.gov, and a CRP Consultant will reach out.

All questions about your application should be directed to OVRVendors@ky.gov, as they will review applications.

Before Submitting a Vendor Application

Review Resources

Visit the Community Rehabilitation Program Provider Branch – Kentucky Career Center and review the following resources:

  • OVR Vendor Manual – review thoroughly for requirements and expectations; additional guidance is below
  • APSE Ethical Guidelines
  • Supported Employment required documentation

Attend the Supported Employment Core Training Series

  • This training is offered through the Supported Employment Training Project at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute.
  • The training is encouraged before completing the vendor application to ensure you understand the expectations of services.
  • The training will be required for those providing direct supported employment services prior to serving OVR consumers.
  • Learn more and register for the Supported Employment Core Training Series.

Develop a Business Plan

  • If you need assistance, reach out for help such as the Kentucky Small Business Development Center.
  • The Kentucky Small Business Development Center exists to help small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
  • They provide no-cost, confidential business coaching, business planning, access to capital, marketing assistance, market research, and business training services.
  • You will want to ensure that your business plan does not rely strictly on Office of Vocational Rehabilitation funding for the provision of all supported employment services.

Choose Your Agency Name Carefully

  • Carefully consider selecting an agency name that reflects employment services.
  • If part of a larger agency, consider a separate name for your employment services division.

Develop Policies and Procedures

You may want to consider developing policies and procedures such as the following:

  • Background checks
  • Job descriptions
  • Confidentiality
  • Vehicle liability insurance and driving record requirements
  • Staff training requirements
  • Work schedules that can be flexible to meet the needs of job seekers and supported employees

Vendor Application Tips

While completing your application, the following tips may be helpful.

Service Type Selection (page 2)

  • If interested in Supported Employment, check the CRP Services box only.
  • Note: selecting multiple services increases review time (multiple departments must approve). For example, if applying for Supported Employment and Pre-ETS, Supported Employment must be approved by the CRP branch for CRP services and the Transition Branch for Pre-ETS. 

Service Providers and Credentials (page 3)

  • For Supported Employment, Employment Specialists must begin the Supported Employment Core Training Series within 3 months of their start date and complete within 6 months.
  • OVR requires that each Employment Specialist obtain 15 hours of training, including 4 hours specific to deaf, blind, or DeafBlind, annually (July-June).

Type of Service Applying For (page 5)

Common services provided by those who want to offer Supported Employment include:

  • Traditional Supported Employment
  • IPS Supported Employment
    • Evidence-based model for individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder
    • Requires additional prior approval from the Division of Mental Health or the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Customized Supported Employment
    • Requires additional certifications of Employment Specialists (e.g., Marc Gold & Associates or SETP Customized Employment Training)
  • Employment & Retention
  • Pre-Vocational Services

Populations to be Served (page 5)

If you are certified to provide Supports for Community Living (SCL), Michelle P. Waiver (MPW), or Individual Placement and Support (IPS), check the box for each funding source you are certified to provide. If you are not certified for these services, check all others.

  • Important distinctions:
    • Supports for Community Living (SCL) and Michelle P Waiver (MPW) are 1915(c) waiver programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To bill waiver services, agencies must be certified through the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
    • IPS is an evidence-based practice of supported employment for individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Agencies must be certified through the Division of Mental Health or Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Hours of Operation (page 5)

  • You may list your standard office hours such as 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Supported Employment services will need to be flexible and based on individual needs, including evenings and weekends

Admissions (page 6)

  • Clearly define how referrals will be reviewed and accepted (be sure to review information on page 28 of the Vendor Manual).
  • Consider:
    • Who reviews referrals?
    • What criteria determine acceptance or denial?
  • Example:
    • The Supported Employment Supervisor reviews referrals from OVR to determine service fit. If appropriate, the case is assigned to an Employment Specialist, who will contact the job seeker within 5 days to schedule an appointment.

Describe your organization’s mission and why you desire to provide SE services (page 6)

It is important to include how you will ensure supported employment services lead to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). CIE is defined in the Vendor Manual.

Describe how you plan to Address/Assure Integration at the Job Site (page 7)

  • They want to ensure you understand the importance of how integration on the job site is essential and that you have the forethought to ensure it occurs.
  • Example:
    • Our agency will ensure integration at the job site by promoting meaningful inclusion of the individual within the workplace culture and environment. We will work collaboratively with both the individual and the employer to foster natural supports and relationships that contribute to successful, long-term employment.

Population You Plan to Serve (page 7)

  • Restricting populations (e.g., only accepting individuals with specific funding or diagnoses) may reduce referrals
  • Describe if your agency intends to limit who you will serve and why. Otherwise, you can indicate that you are open to serving all people, regardless of impact of disability.

Consumer Satisfaction (page 7)

Consider annual satisfaction surveys of individuals served, funding sources, employers, etc.

Funding for Ongoing Services (page 8)

  • OVR funding is short-term and will end upon case closure, likely 90 days after reaching stable employment.
  • Supported Employment is long-term, and the CRP is expected to provide extended services throughout the term of employment. The minimum expectation is two contacts per month face-to-face at the job site.
  • CRPs are expected to be able to fund and provide extended services knowing they will need a funding source other than OVR.
  • Long-term funding may include, but is not limited to:
    • Medicaid Waiver Supported Employment through 1915(c) or 1915(i) programs
    • State general funds
    • Grants
    • Agency-generated revenue
    • Fundraising
    • Private pay
    • STABLE accounts

Helpful Submission Tips
  • Ensure all documents are current, legible, and complete
  • Combine into one PDF when possible
  • Clearly label all files
  • Ensure consistent business name across documents
  • Missing or incomplete items may delay approval

Next Steps:

Submit all application documents in a single email to OVRVendors@ky.gov.

Important:

Your application is not approved until you receive an official approval letter. Once you are approved, you will register for a Vendor Self-Service (VSS) Account. Upon successful registration, you will receive your vendor number/vendor code.

Questions?

This information is shared as a courtesy by the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project. Please direct all specific vendor questions to OVRVendors@ky.gov. Please note that the vendor application process is subject to change.

If you have questions about the provision of Supported Employment or training opportunities, please contact the Supported Employment Training Project Director, Katie Wolf Whaley, at kwolf@uky.edu or 859-218-5960.