The Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program assists eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to prepare for and achieve an employment outcome. "Employment outcome" means entering or retaining full-time employment, or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market, supported-employment, or any other type of employment in an integrated setting, including self-employment, telecommuting, or business ownership, that is consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Note: Integrated, with respect to an employment outcome, means a setting typically found in the community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled individuals, other than non-disabled individuals providing services to those applicants or eligible individuals, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other personnel.
The DVR process is based upon an individualized plan (IPE) for employment which is oriented to the achievement of a vocational goal. Services provided to individuals with disabilities must be necessary to overcome the vocational impediment and must be provided as cost effectively as possible, and will be of sufficient quality to meet individual needs.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program is operated in compliance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and codified at 29 U.S.C.§ 720et seq. ("Act"); Title 34 CFR 361 issued in the Federal Register August 19, 2016; and Title 26 M.R.S.A. §1411.
1. Eligibility is determined without regard to sex, race, creed, age, color, national origin or type of disability. There is no residency requirement, durational or other, which would exclude from services an otherwise eligible individual who is living in the state.2. Throughout the eligible individual's rehabilitation program, every opportunity will be provided to the individual to make informed choices regarding the rehabilitation process. Documentation of opportunities for making informed choices will be kept in the individual's case record.3. Maine DVR will establish and maintain a case record for each applicant, and recipient of vocational rehabilitation services, which includes data necessary to comply with Maine DVR and federal Rehabilitation Services Administration requirements.4. In the purchase of goods or services for persons with disabilities, counselors shall comply with applicable regulations of the Maine Department of Labor and the Department of Administration and Finance.A. Case service expenditures require written authorization prior to the initiation of the service or the purchase of any equipment. Oral authorizations are permitted in emergency situations, but must be confirmed promptly in writing and forwarded to the provider.B. Goods and services will be provided subject to the statewide availability of funds. Goods and services will be explored by the individual, with assistance from the DVR counselor, and the individual will be involved in the choice of who will provide goods and services. DVR reserves the right to use community rehabilitation providers who meet state or national accreditation standards.5. Maine DVR shall process new referrals in an equitable manner and will make an attempt to contact the individual within seven calendar days.6. When appropriate, counselors shall provide the referral necessary to support individuals with disabilities in securing needed services from other agencies and organizations.7. Each applicant or eligible individual being provided vocational rehabilitation services shall be informed of the procedure for requesting a review and a re-determination of agency action concerning the furnishing or denial of services, including the names and addresses of individuals with whom appeals may be filed, and of the availability of the Client Assistance Program.