PUZZLE PIECES

Employment Opportunities

Program Description:
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Individuals in this program should have a high school diploma, GED, or alternative certificate. This program offers supported employment for interested individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The individual will be placed with an Employment Specialist who facilitates a Person-Centered Employment Plan (PCEP) to learn, explore, and develop skills required to become employed at a job they desire. Once the individual feels ready to enter the workforce, a staff member will accompany them to their job to help onboard, develop their routine, and educate co-workers. Each placement is decided based on individual interests and strengths. Staff are available to assist the individual through their entire employable career, as needed.

Funding Sources:
  • First step: Contact Vocational Rehabilitation for funding assistance at (270) 687-7308
  • After 90 days on job of using Vocational Rehabilitation funds, the individual can use up to 6 hours a week of Supported Employment on MPW (SCL may differ)
  • If funding through Vocational Rehabilitation has been previously exhausted, please request Supported Employment on POC​
Program Hours:
  • After school sessions offered, person-centered hours can be adjusted for 1:1
Ideal Candidates:
Any individual who has graduated high school or about to graduate and has any physical and/or cognitive disability qualifies. If the individual had a 504 in high school, he/she would qualify. Anyone seeking employment and may need support in finding a job, securing a job, and learning the job. Individual does not have to be a client of Puzzle Pieces.
Pre-Employment Transitions Services (Pre-ETS)
Pre-ETS stands for Pre-Employment Transition Services and is a program for individuals who are in high school with a 504 and/or IEP. Clients can be 14-18 years old, if they’re working toward a standard high school diploma or 14-21 years old if working on an alternative diploma. This program offers job exploration, workplace readiness, and self advocacy education. This program usually occurs after school hours and can provide 1:1 support, if needed. If schools allow, Pre-ETS can be provided at school as a 1:1 support and/or group setting.
  • Individuals qualify if they have a 504/IEP
  • Only Vocational Rehabilitation funding is accepted
    • Free for families
  • Vocational Rehabilitation referral form required to get started
    • ​Email completed form to [email protected]. Call (270) 687-7308 if you need assistance.
  • Rotation of group classes offered every 6 weeks
  • Best program to support future employment and higher education
Payment Methods

Puzzle Pieces accepts both Michelle P. Waiver (MPW) and Supported Community Living (SCL) Waiver as well as private pay.
Michelle P. Waiver (MPW)
  • Community Living Supports
  • Respite
  • Adult Day Training
  • Personal Care
  • Behavioral Supports
  • Supported Employment 
Supported Community Living (SCL) Waiver​​
  • Personal Assistance
  • Respite
  • Day Training
  • Residential (staffed residence)
  • Residential (Family Home Provider)
  • Supported Employment 
  • Behavior Supports
  • Person-centered Coaching
*Puzzle Pieces is a vendor of Vocational Rehabilitation for Adult ABA Service, Pre-ETS, and Employment Opportunities. Before Supported Employment can be approved on a plan of care, the individual must first exhaust and use Vocational Rehabilitation funding. 
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​At Puzzle Pieces, we understand the process to receive state funding is very lengthy and can take time. We believe it is important to offer our clients and their families the option of private pay. Below, you will find a chart of our hourly and weekly rates.
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Contracted Support (Non 1:1)​
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Will be billed regardless of attendance except in advance notice of a whole week vacation or other week off.


Non-School Aged Clients

  • $40 per day (4 or more hours a day)

Afterschool Clients Only

  • $15 per day (1-3 hours a day)​

​School Age Clients

  • $40 per Full Day
1:1 Hourly Support
For those who do not have Medicaid Waiver or cannot give Puzzle Pieces the medicaid personal care units the client receives due to PDS support.
  • $13-$30/hour  as needed for hygiene, feeding, and other supports

  • $30 is the hourly rate we would be reimbursed for Medicaid Personal Care which would cover the 1:1 support

  • Rate computation will take into account whether client has ADT Medicaid services to bill ($11/hr) and/or can be a case by case basis (family/client needs) to compute the hourly private pay rate.
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  • Program Directors/Business Director will compute the rate based on client/family needs and financial availability
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