§ 35A-3-103.5. Employment and the provision of services for the disabled.

(1) As used in this section, "recipient" means an individual who: (a) has a disability; (b) suffers from a mental illness; or (c) is undergoing treatment for a substance abuse problem. (2) Subject to funds made available for this purpose and subject to federal and state law, when providing services to a recipient in the programs provided under this chapter, the department shall give priority to providing services that assist an eligible recipient in obtaining and retaining meaningful and gainful employment that enables the recipient to earn sufficient income to: (a) purchase goods and services; (b) establish self-sufficiency; and (c) exercise economic control of the recipient's life. (3) The department shall develop a written plan to implement the policy described in Subsection (2) that includes: (a) assessing the strengths and needs of a recipient; (b) customizing strength-based approaches to obtaining employment; (c) expecting, encouraging, providing, and rewarding employment: (i) integrated employment in the workplace at competitive wages and benefits; and (ii) self-employment; (d) developing partnerships with potential employers; (e) maximizing appropriate employment training opportunities; (f) coordinating services with other government agencies and community resources; (g) to the extent possible, eliminating practices and policies that interfere with the policy described in Subsection (2); and (h) arranging sub-minimum wage work or volunteer work for an eligible recipient when employment at market rates cannot be obtained. (4) The department shall, on an annual basis: (a) set goals to implement the policy described in Subsection (2) and the plan described in Subsection (3); (b) determine whether the goals for the previous year have been met; and (c) modify the plan described in Subsection (3) as needed.