OOD Introduces Performance-Based Job Development Support

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is introducing a new “Performance Based Job Development (non-permanent) support” policy, which will allow vocational rehabilitation (VR) providers to authorize for performance Based Job Development (PBJD) – which is non-permanent job searches, including those for students seeking summer work, students seeking temporary work during the school year, and adults requiring temporary work as part of their long-term job search strategy. This change is effective for new authorizations made on December 1, 2023 and forward, and is not retroactive.

The change comes in response to feedback from VR providers – who reported that assisting individuals in finding temporary employment requires the same efforts as those involved in finding Performance-Based Job Development (PBJD) or Supported Employment Job Development (SEJD) opportunities, which traditionally have been intended to lead to permanent ongoing positions (e.g., resume creation, interview preparation, and job applications).  Providers also shared that sometimes a temporary job becomes permanent, and in those cases, they are not eligible for the PBJD tiers. 

Due to these reasons, providers have requested that OOD allow PBJD to be authorized for these scenarios, to reflect their efforts put into these services. OOD anticipates that this change would allow, in most cases, for VR providers to receive more money per case – increasing reimbursement from the average of $752.69 for temporary placements, to the average of $1,706.60 per case for only the Tier1 of PBJD.

VR providers are encouraged to review the OOD Background Information, Guidance & FAQ sheet for additional information. Questions regarding this change can be directed to [email protected]; and specific questions about cases or authorization should be forwarded to the referring VR staff.