Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-51

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 612:10-7-51 - Individualized Plan for Employment

(a)Options for developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The VR counselor will provide the eligible individual, or the individual's authorized representative, in writing and in appropriate mode of communication, with information on the individual's options for developing the IPE.

(1) The required information will include the following:

(A) information on the availability of assistance, to the extent determined to be appropriate by the eligible individual, or authorized representative, from a qualified VR counselor in developing all or part of the IPE, and the availability of technical assistance for this purpose;

(B) a description of the required content of the IPE;

(C) as appropriate:

(i) an explanation of agency requirements for client participation in cost of services;

(ii) additional information requested by the individual or authorized representative;

(iii) information on the availability of assistance in completing DVR/DSBVI forms required in developing the IPE;

(iv) For cases involving Diabetes , Mental Disorders, and Obesity, treatment must be incorporated as a service in the IPE, in accordance with DRS rules.

(D) a copy of a DRS publication addressing client's rights and responsibilities.

(2) For cases in an open priority group, the IPE must be completed and signed as soon as possible, consistent with the needs of the individual, but not more than 90 calendar days following the eligibility determination, unless the individual or the authorized representative and the VR or SBVI counselor jointly agree to an extension of time of a specific duration. The 90-day time frame for development of the IPE will be applied from the date a closed priority group is reopened.

(b)Vocational objective. The primary purpose in providing vocational rehabilitation services is to assist an eligible individual obtain appropriate competitive employment in an integrated setting consistent with the individual's informed choice. The choice of a vocational objective for an individual receiving vocational rehabilitation services must be based primarily upon the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, interests and capabilities, consistent with the general goal of competitive integrated employment.

(1)Informed choice. The vocational objective is to be chosen with the full participation of the client. The client's interests and informed choice determine his or her vocational goal to the extent these factors are consistent with the client's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, interests and capabilities.

(2)External conditions. Factors such as the local labor market or local economy must also be taken into consideration. However, in most cases these factors cannot be used as the only basis upon which to determine whether a vocational objective is appropriate.

(c)General requirements for the Individualized Plan for Employment.

(1) The IPE documents the client's chosen employment goal, and the planning of vocational rehabilitation services which are necessary to achieve a successful employment outcome. The client will be a full participant in the development of the IPE or any amendments consistent with Federal and State regulations, laws, and statutes. The eligible individual must be given the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment outcome, the specific VR services to be provided under the plan, the service providers, and the methods for service delivery. For cases in an open priority group, the IPE must be agreed to and signed by the eligible individual or authorized representative, approved by a VR counselor and, as appropriate, other administrators employed by DVR or DSBVI within 90 days of determination of eligibility, unless the individual or the authorized representative of the individual and the VR or SBVI counselor jointly agree to an extension of time of a specific duration. To the maximum extent possible, the IPE is to be provided in the native language or mode of communication of the individual or, as appropriate, of a parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative. It is also required the client receive a copy of the plan and any subsequent amendments.

(2) The IPE is subject to continuous development and change. Substantial changes to the IPE are documented as amendments. A substantial change is broadly defined as any change in the employment objective, or in service needs or available resources not accounted for in the original IPE or existing amendment(s). The amount of any client participation in the cost of a service will be based upon the determination of client's financial status completed at the time the relevant IPE or amendment is written, and is to be stated in the IPE or amendment. If services based upon financial status are included in the original IPE and/or in the amendment, a new Financial Status Determination form will be completed when the IPE is amended. A copy of any Amendment to an Individualized Plan for Employment will be given to the client, or client's authorized representative, as appropriate.

(3) Diagnosis related to eligibility or the IPE can be provided at any time it is necessary during the life of the case.

(4) An IPE is not considered in effect until all required approvals have been obtained in accordance with Department policy.

(5) Plan reviews are comprehensive reviews of the entire IPE. A plan review can be done at any time, but must be done at least annually. The client must be given the opportunity to review the plan and, if necessary, participate in its redevelopment and agree to its terms. A financial status determination will be completed at the time of plan review when the IPE includes services based upon client's financial status.

(d)Content of the Individualized Plan for Employment. The Individualized Plan for Employment must include:

(1) a description of the specific employment outcome that is chosen by the client consistent with the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice consistent with the general goal of competitive integrated employment (except that in the case of a student or a youth with a disability, the description may be a description of the individual's projected post-school employment outcome), and the estimated timeframe for the achievement of the employment outcome;

(2) a description of the specific VR services that are:

(A) needed to achieve the employment outcome including as appropriate, the provision of assistive technology services and devices, and personal assistance services, including training in the management of such services;

(B) provided in the most integrated setting that is appropriate for the service involved and is consistent with the informed choice of the client; and

(C) timelines for the achievement of the employment outcome and for the initiation of services.

(3) a description of the service provider chosen by the client or authorized representative, and the methods of services delivery;

(4) a description of the criteria that will be used to evaluate progress toward achieving the employment outcome;

(5) the terms and conditions of the IPE including as appropriate:

(A) the responsibilities of DVR or DSBVI;

(B) the responsibilities of the client, including:

(i) the client's responsibilities for the employment outcome;

(ii) the client's participation in paying the cost of VR services; and

(iii) the client's responsibility to apply for, accept, and use comparable services and benefits to defray in whole or in part the cost of VR services.

(6) for an IPE that includes supported employment services, information identifying:

(A) the extended services needed by the client; and

(B) the source of the extended services, including natural supports, or an explanation concluding there is a reasonable expectation a source will become available; and

(C) the weekly work goal.

(7) if it appears they will be necessary, a statement of needed post-employment services.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-51

Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 2239, eff 8-1-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 1432, eff 7-1-97; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3738, eff 9-10-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1711, eff 4-13-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2590, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1771, eff 7-1-03; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 1774, eff 7-1-04; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1669, eff 10-1-07; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 24, September 1, 2020, eff. 9/11/2020

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022