218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-1.16

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 218-RICR-50-00-1.16 - SCOPE OF VR PROGRAM

A. Pre-Employment Transition Services. ORS, in collaboration with the local educational agencies involved, must make the following pre-employment transition services available Statewide to all students with disabilities, regardless of whether the student has applied or been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.

1. Required Activities:

a. Job exploration counseling;

b. Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment in the community to the maximum extent possible;

c. Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs at institutions of higher education;

d. Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living; and

e. Instruction in self-advocacy (including instruction in person-centered planning), which may include peer mentoring from individuals with disabilities working in competitive integrated employment.

2. ORS must carry out responsibilities consisting of:

a. Attending and/or providing information at individualized education program meetings for students with disabilities, when appropriate;

b. Working with the local workforce development boards, one-stop centers, and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities, including internships, summer employment, and other employment opportunities throughout the school year, and apprenticeships;

c. Working with schools, including those carrying out activities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400et seq.) to coordinate and ensure the provision of pre-employment transition services under this section; and

d. Attending person-centered planning meetings for individuals receiving services under title XIX of the Social Security Action (42 U.S.C. § 1396et seq.).

B. ORS will ensure that the following vocational rehabilitation services are available to assist the individual with a disability in preparing for, securing, retaining or regaining, or advancing in a competitive integrated employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Written authorization for services will be made, either before or at the same time as the purchase of services.

1. Assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services, and assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs, by qualified personnel including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skills in rehabilitation technology;

2. Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice;

3. Referral and other services necessary to assist applicants and eligible individuals to secure needed services from other agencies, including other components of the statewide workforce investment system and to advise those individuals about the Client Assistance Program;

4. Physical and mental restoration services;

5. Vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational adjustment, books, tools, and other training materials, except that no training or training services in institutions of higher education may be reimbursed by ORS unless maximum efforts have been by the state Vocational Rehabilitation agency to secure grant assistance in whole or in part from other sources;

6. Maintenance for those living expenses, such as food, shelter, clothing, and other subsistence items that are in excess of the normal subsistence expenses necessary for the individual's participation in a vocational rehabilitation;

7. Transportation in connection with the provision of any vocational rehabilitation services, which may be authorized on a temporary basis while other planned services are occurring, but not to transport an individual for employment purposes on a permanent basis;

8. Vocational rehabilitation services to family members of an applicant or eligible individual if necessary to that individual's employment outcome;

9. Interpreter services provided by qualified personnel, including sign language and oral interpretation services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are deaf/blind;

10. Reader services, rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services for individuals who are blind;

11. Technical assistance and other consultation services for those who are pursuing self-employment as an employment outcome;

12. Job-related services, including job search and placement assistance, job retention services, follow-up services, and follow-along services;

13. Supported employment services;

14. Personal assistance services;

15. Post-employment services (limited in scope and duration of 90 days or less);

16. Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stock, and supplies;

17. Rehabilitation technology, including vehicle modification, telecommunication, sensory, and other technological aids and services

18. Transition services for students and youth with disabilities, that facilitate the transition from school to post-secondary life, which are collaborated through ORS, Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), and Local Education Authorities;

19. Customized employment;

20. Other goods and services determined necessary for the achievement of a competitive integrated employment outcome.

C. An Administrative Waiver Request can be submitted by client to the Administrator of Vocational Rehabilitation or designee in certain instances where extenuating circumstances occur specifying exactly which service waiver is being requested for, the amount of funds needed to obtain the service, how the service is necessary and imperative to achieve current vocational goal in IPE or to the Administrator of SBVI if client is SBVI client. In addition, client would submit an explanation of alternative methods that were explored, including comparable benefits, to obtain the service with other steps taken to achieve vocational goal.

218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-1.16

Amended effective 6/4/2023