Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
DBVI VR will provide, as appropriate to the vocational
rehabilitation needs of each eligible individual and consistent with each
individual's informed choice, any goods or services determined necessary for
the individual to achieve an employment outcome. Services that are of
sufficient quality will be provided as cost effectively as possible to meet the
individual's needs. Services include, but are not limited to:
1. An assessment for determining eligibility,
priority for services and for determining vocational rehabilitation
needs.
2. Vocational rehabilitation
counseling, guidance, and job-related services, including job search and
placement assistance, customized employment, job coaching, job retention
services, follow-up services and follow-along services.
3. Referral and other services necessary to
help applicants and eligible individuals secure needed services from other
agencies and to advise those individuals about the Client Assistance
Program.
4. Physical and mental
restoration services necessary to correct or to substantially modify a physical
or mental condition of an individual that is stable or slowly
progressive.
5.
Post-Secondary, Vocational and Occupational Training Services
A.
Degree-granting programs;
Post-secondary training is that training offered by accredited institutions
which qualify for federal financial student aid and is provided only when
necessary to achieve an employment outcome consistent with an individual's
strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capacities and informed
choice, and must be documented in the IPE.
(1)
Financial Consideration
(a) DBVI contribution toward post-secondary
training shall not be provided unless maximum efforts have been made to secure
assistance in whole, or in part from the Federal Financial Aid Program and
other sources. An individual must make a reasonable effort and provide evidence
of this effort to resolve grant awards and student loans in default prior to
obligation of DBVI funds. When an individual owes a refund on a previous grant
award or has a student loan in default, has limited or no financial resources,
has made a reasonable repayment effort, and still fails to reach an agreement
with lender/grantor, it may be reasonable to conclude that maximum effort has
been made to secure grant assistance.
(b) DBVI contribution will be based upon the
degree granting institution's Financial Aid Office (FA0) needs analysis
including completion of the FAFSA and determination of individual financial
aid, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor's examination of actual costs
and visual impairment related expenses and will not exceed the current rate for
tuition, fees and on-campus room and board at the University of Maine. (See
exceptions in Section 9.5. A.(1)(a)).
(c) DBVI funding may not exceed the maximum
determined "contribution plus visual impairment related expenses". Visual
impairment related expenses are defined as specific assistive technology or
other visual impairment related services that are required to accommodate the
individual with visual impairment while in attendance at, living on campus,
and/or commuting to the post-secondary institution.
(d) DBVI's contribution cannot replace the
Family contribution, except when the student is a recipient of Social Security
benefits under Titles II or XVI (SSI/SSDI) of the Social Security Act.
Recipients SSI/SSDI due to a disability are not subject to a financial means
test.
When appropriate, Maine DBVI shall encourage individuals with
disabilities to participate in the cost of attendance through the use of
scholarships, college work study and/or student loans. However, individual DBVI
clients will not be required to apply for scholarships or accept student loan
and/or college work study. If the student is awarded scholarships and/or
accepts a student loan, DBVI will consider actual costs and unmet need when
determining DBVI contributions towards the cost of post-secondary
training.
(e) Students are
encouraged to make their own choice of educational institutions that have both
the academic programs and visual impairment related supports needed to help
them reach the vocational goal in their IPE, whether they are public or
private, in-state or out-of-state institutions. However, the maximum DBVI
contribution is limited to an amount defined in Section 9.5. A.(1)(b); except
(i) when the individual's vocational goal can
be met ONLY by a more costly post-secondary training opportunity;
(ii) when no existing in-state program will
meet the unique needs of the individual and when the employment outcome goal is
unlikely to be met without participation in this post-secondary
program;
(iii) when specialized
instructional methods or other reasonable accommodations cannot be met by a
qualified public in-state institution.
B.
Academic Requirements
(1) Students must demonstrate academic
progress (with a course load of at least six (6) credit hours per semester),
maintain eligibility for financial aid, and continue to make progress toward
meeting the employment outcome written in the IPE. [Note: If an individual
encounters unforeseen or visual impairment related circumstances that interfere
with meeting the minimum course load requirements, DBVI may continue
sponsorship of the student who takes one course during that semester, however,
VR will not support a reduced course load beyond two (2) consecutive
semesters.]
(2) If the individual
is placed on academic probation, he/she has one grading period in which to
attain good standing. DBVI sponsorship will terminate after that grading period
unless the client achieves good standing.
(3) DBVI will provide post-secondary
education services beyond the baccalaureate level only when:
(a) The individual requires advanced training
to enter employment within the agreed upon profession in the IPE which is
consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns,
abilities, capabilities, career interests, and informed choice;
(b) The individual is unable to function in
an appropriate career position while simultaneously completing an advanced
degree due to limitations related to his/her disabilities; and
(c) Funding levels for tuition and other
direct school cost will be limited to levels equal to the University of Maine
Graduate rates. (see Section 9.5. A.).
C.
Certification and Occupational
Training: This is skill and occupational specific training that will
lead to an employment outcome.
(1) DBVI
reserves the right to use programs that meet state or national
certification.
(2) The skills
training must provide documentation of competency at the completion of the
program.
(3) Certification and
occupational training are provided only when necessary to achieve an employment
outcome consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities,
concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choice as written in the
IPE.
(4) The student must apply for
Federal Financial Student Aid and scholarships whenever available.
(5) Requirements specified in Section 9.5. A.
for visual impairment related expenses, choice of institutions, part-time
students and academic progress also apply to this section.
D.
On-the-job training: When an
eligible individual is receiving on-the-job training, the conditions of
training, certification and wage payment must comply with applicable State and
Federal wage and hour laws. On-the-job training requires a written agreement
among the client, VR counselor, and employer which states the hourly wage,
responsibility for Workers' Compensation coverage, and any other conditions of
employment.
6.
Interpreter services and note-taking services for individuals who are deaf,
including tactile interpreting for individuals who are deaf-blind; reader
services; note-taking services, vision rehabilitation therapy, and orientation
and mobility services for individuals who are blind; telecommunications,
sensory and other technological aids and devices.
7. Occupational licenses, tools, equipment,
initial stocks and supplies necessary in order to enter an occupation. DBVI
will not purchase land or buildings for individuals withvisual
impairment.
8.
Self-employment: DBVI will assist the individual, as needed, in
the development of a business plan and in the process of securing loans and
other financial resources for the development of a business of which the
individual will operate and own at least 51%. Hence, non-profit ventures are
not considered self-employed and cannot be supported under this policy. Persons
with a self-employment objective are expected to pursue resources to finance
the start-up of their business. The DBVI expenditure limit is $7,500 for
self-sufficient business that will generate income for the individual at a
sufficient level so that the individual needs no supplemental income from any
public source, such as SSI, SSDI, or TANF, and $2,500 for self-employment with
income projected at a lesser level that will allow the continuance of public
benefits. DBVI will not expend funds to support hobbies, which are defined as
activities carried on with no intent to make a profit. Exceptions to the
financial limit from self-employment are allowable if necessary to achieve
agreed upon goal in the IPE.
A. Every VR
client who intends to pursue self-employment is required to attend
self-employment orientation and complete a comprehensive business plan,
utilizing technical assistance as needed and as defined in guidance.
B. Every VR Counselor will base support of
the plan on the careful review of considerations of the VR approved business
consultant's appraisal of viability and recommendations, which is a requirement
for all self-sufficiency plans.
C.
Cost incurred in training of the client or in the development and review of the
business plan shall not be included in the maximum expenditure limit. Before VR
funds are expended on implementing the business plan, individuals will be
expected to contribute to their self-employment venture in the form of cash,
loans, grants, materials, or in-kind labor. The DBVI VR counselor and/or
business consultant shall assist individuals in exploring and applying for
these additional resources.
D. For
plans that are expected to provide self-sufficiency, consumers must have a good
record of credit or exhibit a pattern of managing existing debt.
E. DBVI retains the right to reclaim
occupational tools and equipment purchased by the agency in instances when the
individual's IPE is not completed, the vocational goal is changed, resulting in
purchased tools and equipment not being needed, or the case is closed as "Not
Rehabilitated".
9.
Time-limited ongoing support services. For clients with the most
significant disabilities who require jobsite training and support, time-limited
ongoing support services are provided at the time of and after job placement.
A. Supported-employment is defined as
follows:
(1) Competitive integrated
employment, including customized employment, or employment in an integrated
work setting in which an individual is working on a short-term basis toward
competitive integrated employment, consistent with the strengths, resources,
priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice
of the individual with ongoing support services for individuals with the most
significant disabilities for whom competitive employment:
(a) has not traditionally occurred,
or;
(b) has been interrupted or
intermittent as a result of significant disability; and
(c) because of the nature and severity of
their disability, needs intensive supported-employment services andextended
services after the transition from DBVI support in order to perform the
work.
(2) Short-term
basis means that an individual can reasonably achieve competitive integrated
employment within six (6) months of achieving a supported employment outcome,
not to exceed twelve (12) months in limited circumstances based upon the needs
of the individual and demonstrated progress towards competitive earnings.
B. DBVI may provide
extended services to a youth with a disability for a period not to exceed four
(4) years for youthnot older than Age 24.Extended services are defined as
ongoing support services and other appropriate services that are needed to
support an individual with a most significant disability in supported
employment.
C. DBVI may provide
ongoing support services to individuals with visual impairment for up
totwenty-four (24) months, unless under special circumstances the individual
and the counselor jointly agree to the extension of time. in order for the
individual to achieve job stability prior to transition to an extended support
program.
10.
Post-Employment Services: An individual who is determined
rehabilitated may receive services necessary to assist that individual to
maintain, regain or advance in employment, consistent with the individual's
strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and
interests and informed choice. Post-employment services require an amendment to
the IPE. Post-employment services are available to meet rehabilitation needs
that do not require a complex and comprehensive provision of services and thus,
are limited in scope of two or less services and duration of no more than a
year. If more comprehensive services are required, and/or there is a new
disabling condition and/or it has been longer than three-years since the case
was closed successfully, then a new application for DBVI services should be
considered.
11. Rehabilitation
technology services may be provided to meet the needs and address the barriers
confronted by individuals with visual impairment in order to achieve an
employment outcome in areas which include education, rehabilitation,
employment, transportation and independent living. Rehabilitation technology
services may be provided at any time in the rehabilitation process, including
the assessment for determining eligibility, vocational rehabilitation needs,
trial work experiences, services provided under an IPE, annual reviews of
ineligibility decisions, annual reviews of extended employment in
rehabilitation facilities, and post-employment services.
12. Transition services are a coordinated set
of activities for youth with disabilities through Age 24 to achieve an
employment outcome in a competitive integrated setting. These services promote
the movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary
education, vocational training, integrated employment (including
supported-employment), continuing and adult education, adult services,
independent living, or community participation. The coordinated set of
activities must be based upon the individual student's needs, taking into
account the youth's preferences and interests, and include, as appropriate,
instruction, community experience, the development of employment and other
post-school adult objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living
skills and functional vocational evaluation. Transition services must promote
or facilitate the achievement of an employment outcome identified in the
student's individualized plan.
DBVI will assist in transition planning and in the
development of student's individualized education plan. For students eligible
for services with an agreed upon or projected vocational goal, DBVI is expected
to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment within 90 days of eligibility
and, whenever possible, before the student leaves the school setting. In
providing transition services, DBVI will facilitate the use of community-based
services to the extent they are available and appropriate. Services will be
provided in the most cost-effective manner.
Pre-employment transition servicesavailable to eligible or
potentially eligible students with a vision disability, Age 14 through Age 21,
enrolled in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program,
are job exploration counseling; work-based learning experiences; counseling on
opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary
educational programs; workplace readiness training; and self-advocacy
instruction.
13.
Supportive Services May Include
A. Maintenance for additional expenses, such
as food, shelter, and clothing that are in excess of usual expenses of the
individual and that are necessitated by the individual's participation in a
rehabilitation program;
B.
Transportation, including travel and related expenses that are necessary to
enable an applicant or eligible individual to participate in a vocational
rehabilitation service and achieve an employment outcome by the most
cost-effective means possible.
C.
Services to an applicant's/client's family members when those services are
necessary to the vocational rehabilitation of the eligible
individuals.
D. Personal assistance
services necessary to achieve an employment outcome provided while an
individual with a visual impairmentis receiving IPE services.
14. Other goods and services
determined necessary for the individual to achieve an employment
outcome.
