{"id":472,"date":"2025-02-25T16:23:42","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T16:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/emp_first\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T09:44:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T13:44:24","slug":"emp_first","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/emp_first\/","title":{"rendered":"emp_first ~  Employment Services  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\"> <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&amp;lang=en_us&amp;readid=main_content&amp;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/emp_first.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\r\n\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->Employment Services<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/header>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\r\n\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\r\n\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n\r\n\r\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Developmental Disabilities Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\r\n\r\n\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\r\n\r\n\r\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\r\n    <li><a href=\"\/ddds\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n    <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/about.html\">About DDDS<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/contact.html\">Contact<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      <li>\r\n        <a href=\"\/ddds\/dac.html\">DDDS Advisory Council<\/a>\r\n      <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/newandmedia.html\">News &amp; Media<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      <li>\r\n        <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/ddds\/pdf\/DDDS_orgchart.pdf\">Organizational Chart<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  <\/ul><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n    <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">  \r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/intake.html\">Apply for Services<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/authproviders.html\">Authorized Providers<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      \r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/comserv.html\">Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/fss.html\">Individuals and Families<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/information.html\">Information and Resources<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n          <a href=\"\/ddds\/emp_first.html\">Pathways to Employment<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      \r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/adt_spec_pop_prg.html\">Respite<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/stockley.html\">Stockley Center<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  \r\n  <\/ul><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n    <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/comedadv.html\">Community Education and Advocacy<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n           \r\n      \r\n         <li>\r\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/m.facebook.com\/DelawareDDDS\/\">DDDS Facebook Page<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n   \r\n\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/forms.html\">Forms<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      \r\n       <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/dsp.html\">For Direct Support Professionals<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n        <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/providercontract.html\">For Providers<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n      \r\n        <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/nursing_forms.html\">Nursing<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/pubs.html\">Publications<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n   <li>\r\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/hssdedhssprod.wellsky.com\/assessments\/?WebIntake=9A2787C9-BDCF-449A-BFD7-59B32DD77BE7\">Report Abuse<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n   \r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/repstats.html\">Reports and Statistics<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/training.html\">Training<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li>\r\n      <a href=\"\/ddds\/volservices.html\">Volunteer<\/a>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  \r\n  <\/ul><\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n              <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \r\n\r\n\r\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pathways to Employment\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/ddds\/img\/pathways_logo.jpg\"><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><h2>General Information<\/h2><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Division of Developmental Disabilities Services affirms that employment and participation in their communities is an important part of the lives of the individuals it serves. Pathways to Employment is a program designed to support low-income individuals with disabilities in Delaware who want to work. The program helps participants get prepared for work, find jobs, and succeed in the workplace.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 45px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/ddds\/pdf\/pathways_brochure2022.pdf\">Pathways Brochure<br><\/a><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 45px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/ddds\/pdf\/pathways_flyer2022.pdf\">Pathways Flyer<\/a><\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><h2>Eligibility Requirements<\/h2><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"> In order to participate in the Pathways to Employment program an individual must:<\/p><ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Want to work\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Be at least 14 years of age\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Be enrolled in Medicaid and meet related financial eligibility criteria\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Be in one of the targeted disability groups (persons with intellectual disabilities; autism spectrum disorders; visual impairments; or physical disabilities)*\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Meet certain disability-specific functional criteria<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/ul><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n*Individuals with mental health support needs are served by a similar program called PROMISE.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><h2>Pathways to Employment Services<\/h2><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Pathways to Employment participants receive employment-related services to meet their individual needs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nServices available through Pathways to Employment include:<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c1\">Employment Navigation<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c1\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">The service recipient will be assigned an Employment Navigator that will help develop the employment plan, help connect the service recipient to employment services, and ensure services are being delivered in accordance with the plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c2\">Career Exploration and Assessment<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c2\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Person-centered employment planning services that help the service recipient identify a career plan and identify jobs that match their interests, abilities and skills.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c3\">Supported Employment Individual and Group<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c3\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">This service is designed for those that want to work and\/or are employed but need continued support, skills training in order to obtain employment, maintain their employment, or increase their employment status (such as obtaining additional hours or higher level positions). This service can be delivered as Individual Supported Employment (1 staff to 1 service recipient) or Small Group Supported Employment (1 staff to a range of service recipients, 2-4, that work together as a &#8220;crew&#8221;).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c4\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c4\">Benefits Counseling<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c4\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">This service provides tools to help the service recipient and\/or family to understand how to have a job and still maintain necessary benefits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c5\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c5\">Financial Coaching<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c5\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">This service will help the service recipient develop financial strategies identified through benefits counseling and increase the service recipient&#8217;s economic self-sufficiency.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c6\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c6\">Non-Medical Transportation<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c6\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">This service is available only when a service recipient has no other means of transportation and can only be used to gain access to employment services, activities, and resources related to employment. A Transportation Broker will arrange this service.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c7\">Personal Care<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c7\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">This service provides assistance with activities of daily living associated with getting ready for work or in the workplace. Services can be provided by a Home Health Agency, a Personal Assistance Services Agency (PASA), or be self-directed.<\/p><\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<button class=\"collapsible\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#c8\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"c8\">Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology<\/button>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><div class=\"collapse\" id=\"c8\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Orientation and mobility provides consumers training to develop the necessary skills to travel independently and safely. This is accomplished one on one with the usage of white canes, guide dogs, or other equipment.  This is a sequential process where visually impaired individuals are taught to utilize their remaining senses to determine their position within their environment and to negotiate safe movement from one place to another.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Assistive technology is an item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities for service recipients. Also included in this service is an evaluation of technology need, training, custom fitting, maintenance, repair, etc. This service can only cover assistive technology that is not otherwise covered by traditional State Plan Medicaid.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>To Apply or Refer<\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"> Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dhss\/ddds\/intake.html\" target=\"blank_\">Applicant Services<\/a> page to apply for services online. Support for Pathways to Employment applications can be found under the resources section. When ready to apply, select the &#8216;Click Here to Apply Online&#8217; link near the top of the page to begin.\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p><h2>Additional Resources<\/h2><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"> Employment First Act of 2014<\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 45px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/delcode.delaware.gov\/title19\/c007\/sc05\/index.shtml\">Delaware Code, Chapter 7, Subchapter 5<\/a><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"> Medicaid Authority<\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 45px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/08\/Pathways1915i20241220.pdf\"> State Plan Amendment (SPA)<\/a> &#8211; \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSection 1915(i) State Plan Home and Community Based Services: Pathways to Employment program approved effective January 1, 2025 <\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Employment Related Resource(s)<\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 45px\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px\"><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/ddds\/pdf\/esse.pdf\">Early Start to Supported Employment<\/a><\/span><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 30px\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>  <!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Employment Services Developmental Disabilities Menu Home About About DDDS Contact DDDS Advisory Council News &amp; Media Organizational Chart Services Apply for Services Authorized Providers Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Individuals and Families Information and Resources Pathways to Employment Respite Stockley Center Information Community Education and Advocacy DDDS Facebook Page Forms For Direct Support [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-472","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":671,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions\/671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/ddds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}