Throughout this section, the word eligible individual means an individual who has been determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, or who is receiving vocational rehabilitation services during a period of extended evaluation. 361.45, Sec.101(a)(9), Sec.102(b)
(A) General Provisions RSB shall initiate and periodically update, for each eligible individual an Individualized Plan for Employment (see form and instructions below), referred to in sections (11)‑(23) of this rule as an IPE. RSB shall adhere to the following procedures regarding the IPE: (IPE Document), (IPE Instructions) and (Comprehensive Assessment Narrative).1. RSB shall provide vocational rehabilitation services according to the IPE and shall not provide any service that is not recorded in the IPE; 361.45(b)(1)
2. RSB shall develop the IPE jointly with each eligible individual or, as appropriate, the eligible individual and a parent, guardian, legal custodian or other representative, including other suitable professional and informed advisors. The eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual’s representative may develop all or part of the IPE:
A. Without assistance from the State unit or other entity; or
B. With assistance from:
(1) A qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the State unit;
(2) A qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor who is not employed by the State unit; or
(3) Resources other than those in paragraph (A) or (B) of this section. 361.45(c)(1), 361.5(b)(32), Sec.6,(22), Sec.102(b)(1)
3. The IPE must be agreed to and signed by the eligible individual and approved and signed by the vocational rehabilitation counselor. (Per Memorandum dtd. 01-14-00, Subject: Rehabilitation Teachers Doing IPEs for VR Cases)
4. RSB shall provide a copy of the IPE and all amendments to the IPE to the eligible individual or, as appropriate, to the eligible individual and a parent, guardian, legal custodian or other representative; 361.45(d)(4), Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)
5. RSB shall advise each eligible individual or, as appropriate, the eligible individual’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other representative, of all RSB procedures and requirements that affect the development and review of the IPE; 361.45(c)(1-2), Sec.102(b)(1)
6. RSB shall initiate the IPE after RSB completes a certification of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, as stated in subsection (9)(A) or certification for extended evaluation, as stated in subsection (9)(C);
7. RSB shall ensure that an eligible individual’s IPE and all amendments to the IPE become a part of the eligible individual’s case record; 361.47(a)(6)
8. RSB shall have the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the eligible individual’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other representative sign the IPE and all amendments to the IPE. Amendments to the IPE do not take effect until agreed to and signed by the eligible individual, or as appropriate the individual’s representative. 361.45(d)(3)(i), Sec. 102(b)(2)(C)
9. RSB shall review each eligible individual’s IPE as often as necessary, but at least once every twelve (12) months to assess the individuals progress in achieving the identified employment outcome, and shall review the IPE of each eligible individual who is in a period of extended evaluation as often as necessary, but at least once every ninety (90) days. RSB shall give each eligible individual or, as appropriate, the eligible individual’s parent, guardian, legal custodian or other representative an opportunity to review the IPE and, if necessary, jointly redevelop the IPE and agree to its terms; 361.45(d)(5), Sec.102(b)(2)(E)
10. RSB shall amend an eligible individual’s IPE when‑
A. There is a substantive change in the employment outcome in the existing IPE;
B There is a substantive change in the vocational rehabilitation services to be provided; or,
C. When there is a substantive change in the providers of the vocational rehabilitation services.361.45(d)(6), Sec.102(B)(2)(E)(ii)
11. RSB shall prepare an eligible individual’s IPE in coordination with the appropriate educational agency whenever RSB plans to provide vocational rehabilitation services to an eligible individual who is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. RSB shall include with the IPE a summary of relevant components of the eligible individual’s individualized education program; and 361.46(d)
(B) Content of IPERSB shall develop each IPE for an eligible individual on the basis that the eligible individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services that will enable the eligible individual to achieve a suitable vocational goal, that vocational rehabilitation services are needed during an extended period of evaluation in order to determine whether the applicant is capable of achieving a vocational goal or the applicant meets criteria to receive services during an interim period of eligibility. RSB shall include, as appropriate, statements concerning: 361.46, Sec.102(b)(3)1. A description of the specific employment outcome that is chosen by the eligible individual; RSA Standard for What Constitutes an Employment Goal RSA Clarification of Selection of Employment Goal
2. The basis on which RSB determined the eligible individual requires an extended evaluation of vocational rehabilitation potential in order for RSB to make a determination of eligibility
3. The specific vocational rehabilitation services, along with the selection of service providers for each service agreed to by the eligible individual, that RSB will provide so the eligible individual will be able to achieve the established rehabilitation objectives;
4. An assessment of the eligible individual’s expected need for post‑employment services;
5. The projected dates for the initiation of each vocational rehabilitation service and the expected duration of each service;
6. A procedure and schedule, based upon objective criteria, for RSB to conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the eligible individual’s progress toward achieving rehabilitation objectives;
7. A record of RSB’s reviews and evaluations of the eligible individual’s progress toward achieving rehabilitation objectives;
8. RSB’s reassessment, prior to case closure, of the eligible individual’s need for post‑employment services;
9. The IPE is developed and implemented in a manner that gives eligible individuals the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting--
A. The employment outcome, including the employment setting;
B. The specific vocational rehabilitation services needed to achieve the employment outcome, including the settings in which services will be provided;
C. The entity or entities that will provide the vocational rehabilitation services; and
D. The methods available for procuring the services;
10. The terms and conditions for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, including the eligible individual’s or applicant’s responsibilities in implementing the IPE;
11. The extent of the eligible individual’s participation, if any, in the cost of vocational rehabilitation services;
12. The extent to which comparable services and benefits are available to the eligible individual under any other programs, and the eligible individual’s responsibilities with regard to applying for and securing comparable services and benefits;
13. An assurance that RSB has informed the eligible individual of the eligible individual’s rights and means by which the eligible individual may express and seek remedy for any dissatisfaction in the administration of his/her vocational rehabilitation case, including the opportunity for review of RSB decisions, as discussed in Chapter (25);
14. An assurance that RSB has informed the eligible individual of the availability of an eligible individual assistance program;
15. RSB’s plan to provide post-employment services, including;
A. The expected need for post-employment services prior to closing the record of services of an individual who has achieved an employment outcome;
B. A description of the terms and conditions for the provision of any post-employment services; and,
C. If appropriate, a statement of how post-employment services will be provided or arranged through other entities.
16. Services to eligible individuals in the supported employment program, including;
A. The services to be provided by RSB;
B. The expected extended services needed;
C. The source of extended services, or, if it is not possible to identify the source of extended services, the basis for concluding a reasonable expectation that these services will be made available;
D. Monitoring to ensure that the individual is making progress toward meeting the weekly work requirement established in the IPE;
E. An expectation that any training in job skills will be provided on the work-site; and,
F. Include placement in an integrated setting for the maximum number of hours possible based on the eligible individual’s strength’s , resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed consumer choice; 361.46(b), Sec.6(13)
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