Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) The provision of the department's VR
services is based on the rehabilitation needs of each individual as identified
in that participant's individualized plan for employment and is consistent with
the participant's informed choice.
(2) The department's policy on VR service
provision does not establish any arbitrary limits on the nature and scope of
vocational rehabilitation services to be provided to the individual to achieve
a competitive and integrated employment outcome.
(3) The department's policy on VR service
provision has been developed in accordance with the following provisions:
(a)
(i) The
department has established a preference for instate services, provided that the
preference does not effectively deny an individual a necessary
service.
(ii) If the individual
chooses an out-of-state service at a higher cost than an in-state service, if
either service would meet the individual's rehabilitation needs, the department
is not responsible for those costs in excess of the cost of the instate
service.
(b) The
department maintains a fee schedule designed to ensure a reasonable cost to the
program for each service, provided that the schedule established is:
(i) Not so low as to effectively deny an
individual a necessary service; and
(ii) Not absolute and will permit exceptions
so that individual needs can be addressed.
(c) The department may establish reasonable
time period limits for the provision of services, provided that the time limits
are:
(i) Not so short as to effectively deny
an individual a necessary service; and
(ii) Not absolute and permit exceptions so
that individual needs can be addressed.
(d) While an option through the federal
regulations, the department will not apply a financial needs test, or require
the financial participation of the individual, in order to receive
services.
(e) The department must
establish policies related to the timely authorization of services, including
any conditions under which verbal authorization can be given.
(f) Substantive changes to department policy
that directly impact the nature, scope, or delivery of the services provided to
individuals with disabilities require a public participation process. The
public input must be gathered:
(i) In an
in-person meeting format (which might include face-to-face, phone, and/or
remote access video or chat);
(ii)
Be separate and distinct from the state rehabilitation council public input
process.
(4)
Preemployment transition services are made available statewide to all students
with visual and other disabilities, regardless of whether the student has
applied or been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, in
accordance with WAC 67-25-290.
(5)
VR services are made available as appropriate to the vocational rehabilitation
needs of each individual and consistent with each individual's individualized
plan for employment. The following vocational rehabilitation services are
available to assist the individual with a disability in preparing for,
securing, retaining, advancing in or regaining a competitive and integrated
employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's unique strengths,
resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and
informed choice:
(a) Assessment for
determining eligibility and/or priority for services in accordance with WAC
67-25-130 and 67-25-183;
(b)
Assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs in accordance with
WAC 67-25-205 and 67-25-210;
(c)
Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance including information and
support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice in
accordance with WAC 67-25-273;
(d)
Referral and other services necessary to assist applicants and eligible
individuals to secure needed services from other agencies or client assistance
programs, including other components of the statewide workforce development
system, in accordance with WAC 67-25-073.
(e) Physical and mental restoration services
in accordance with WAC 67-25-310, to the extent that financial support is not
readily available from a source other than the department (such as through
health insurance or a comparable service or benefit as defined in WAC 67-25-283
).
(f)
(i) Vocational and other training services,
including personal and vocational adjustment training, advanced training in,
but not limited to, a field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics
(including computer science, medicine, law, or business); books, tools, and
other training materials in accordance with WAC 67-25-320, 67-25-330,
67-25-340, 67-25-265, and 67-25-365.
(ii) No training or training services in an
institution of higher education (universities, colleges, community or junior
colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, or hospital schools of
nursing or any other postsecondary education institution) may be paid for with
funds under this part unless maximum efforts have been made by the department
and the individual to secure financial and grant assistance in whole or in part
from other sources to pay for that training.
(g) Maintenance in connection to the
provision of vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with WAC
67-25-370;
(h) Transportation in
connection to the provision of a vocational rehabilitation service in
accordance with WAC 67-25-383;
(i)
Vocational rehabilitation services to family members as defined in WAC
67-25-485, if necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to
achieve an employment outcome.
(j)
Interpreter and translation services, including language translation services,
sign language and oral interpreter services for individuals who are deaf or
hard of hearing, and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are
deaf-blind, provided by qualified personnel in accordance with WAC
67-25-393.
(k) Reader services,
rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services for
individuals who are blind in accordance with WAC 67-25-365 and
67-25-403.
(l) Job-related
services, including job search and placement assistance job retention services,
follow-up services, and follow-along services in accordance with WAC 67-25-340,
67-25-355, and
67-25-440.
(m) Supported employment services in
accordance with WAC 67-25-430;
(n)
Personal assistance services in accordance with WAC 67-25-410;
(o) Post-employment services in accordance
with WAC 67-25-450;
(p)
Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks, and supplies, and
technical assistance and other consultation services to participants who are
pursuing self-employment or establishing a small business operation as an
employment outcome, in accordance with WAC 67-25-465;
(q) Rehabilitation technology services in
accordance with WAC 67-25-425;
(r)
Preemployment transition services that provide careers and work preparation
exploration and experiences for students with disabilities, in accordance with
WAC 67-25-290.
(s) Transition
services for youth with disabilities to facilitate the transition from school
to postsecondary life, such as entry into a post-secondary training program
and/or achievement of an employment outcome in competitive integrated
employment, in accordance with WAC 67-25-305.
(t) Customized employment in accordance with
WAC
67-25-440.
(u) Other goods and services determined
necessary for the individual with a disability to achieve a competitive and
integrated employment outcome in accordance with WAC 67-25-475.