June 14, 2000

 

MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRICT SUPERVISORS, REHABILITATION COUNSELORS, REHABILITATION TEACHERS, AND CHILDREN’S SPECIALISTS

FROM:            Sally Howard, Deputy Director

SUBJECT:        Rehabilitation Teachers Doing IPE’s for VR Cases

During a recent bi-regional meeting with RSA and other state directors, discussion emerged surrounding the role of rehabilitation teachers with Vocational Rehabilitation homemakers.  When I explained that our rehabilitation teachers did the Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), the group became very silent and tense.  RSA then indicated that approach was acceptable IF the rehabilitation counselors were “signing off” on the IPE’s.

 

After returning to Missouri, we discussed the issue with Region 7 RSA staff, who were clear as to their position that only rehabilitation counselors can approve an IPE.  In further researching this issue, I  reviewed a number of documents, including the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development: A Practical Guide. It states:

 

“It is important to note that RSA’s current position on who is considered to be a rehabilitation counselor is anyone who does one or more of the following:

 

1.       Makes an eligibility determination.

2.       Approves an IPE and any amendments to the IPE.

3.       Makes the determination as to who is an individual with a significant disability.

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4.       Makes the determination as to who is an individual with a most significant disability.

5.       Makes the determination, in consultation with the individual, of ineligibility.

6.       Makes the determination, in consultation with the individual, that the record of service of an individual who has achieved an employment outcome can be closed.

 

Finally, the proposed regulations state:  “The IPE is a written document prepared on forms provided by the State unit; (ii) Approved and signed by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the designated State unit”.

 

After careful consideration, we believe that RSB needs to be responsive to above information.  Please note that our rehabilitation teachers have gradually been utilizing OBS services as an alternative to the VR homemaker category, which RSB now considers as a non-target closure.  Further, we are looking for opportunities to encourage our older consumers who might be appropriate for an employment goal to consider looking at  work.

 

As a result of all the above, the following plan goes into effect immediately:

 

7.       Each District Supervisor will assign a Rehabilitation Counselor to each Rehabilitation Teacher caseload.

8.       Rehabilitation Counselors will review and sign off on eligibility determinations and the IPE developed and signed by teacher and the consumer.

9.       Rehabilitation Counselors will discuss the potential of employment goals for the consumer with the teacher as a part of reviewing the IPE. 

 

If Children’s Services staff are developing IPE’s for transition youth, then eligibility and the IPE also need to be reviewed and signed off by a rehabilitation counselor.

 

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with these changes and invite you to send your questions and comments to us.  My hope is any impact on your time will be

limited and that we will all benefit from the opportunity to jointly assess employment potential.  

 

Thanks again for your help and efforts with above plan.

 

SH:mlg

 

cc:     RSB Executive Staff