218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-3.5

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 218-RICR-50-00-3.5 - REFERRAL/APPLICATION

A. Qualified applicants referred to the Business Enterprises Program (BEP) by Vocational Rehabilitation must meet the following additional requirements:

1. The VR Counselor, in consultation with the VR Supervisor, must submit a referral to the BEP Administrator providing pertinent information about the client and requesting consultation/record review for the potential candidate. Electronic Mail (e-mail referrals are acceptable.)

2. The referral must include such information as the clients' VR status, IPE goal progress, brief education and employment history overview, current evaluations or assessments which document the applicants' visual acuity, U.S. citizenship, a current BCI (Criminal Background Check) report, and a signed release of information to allow a case file review. Referrals lacking a current BCI report and signed release of information form will be automatically rejected.

3. Following the file/client review, prospective BEP candidates will submit to an interview with the BEP Administrator and VR Counselor in order to evaluate a client's overall presentation, degree of interest and motivation, as well as capacity and potential for success as a future vendor/Licensee. The interview also serves as a means to provide the referral with a greater explanation of the expectations and general outcomes of the BEP. Upon completion of the interview process, the BEP Administrator will issue written notification of denial or acceptance in the BEP training process.

4. Accepted candidates will participate in an on-site evaluation at a designated vending facility. During this process, applicants will be evaluated to ensure that they meet the additional requirements listed in § 3.5(B) of this Part. This will include an assessment of the need for adjustment training, mobility orientation/instruction, rehabilitation teaching, assistive technology, focused-task oriented training, outside training in specialized areas, and/or other support services.

a. Based upon the findings of the onsite evaluation, additional training and education needs may be identified specific to the individual outcomes and candidates' respective performance.

b. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor must assure that the candidates will be provided with the appropriate tools needed to assure independent and successful performance during the evaluation and training process. Tools (other than those general to the business environment) includes but is not limited to high-tech and low-tech assistive technology for the identification of money, merchandise, for safe food handling and physical mastery of the environment - such as mobility aides and rehabilitative teaching.

B. Additional Requirements

1. Possess skills or have the potential capacity to travel independently.

2. Possess and demonstrate sufficient capacity to learn and/or perform basic applied mathematics operations and other business management/business skills in order to effectively engage in proper operation of a business including proper and accurate recording and maintenance of business and sales records.

3. Demonstrate consistent stable personality traits to enable proper interaction with the public.

4. Demonstrate consistent due care in daily personal cleanliness and grooming.

5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, professionally and appropriately with the general public, the S.L.A., host entities, and suppliers.

6. Demonstrate the ability and desire to be responsible for the daily operations of a business enterprise.

7. Demonstrate basic knowledge of any and all State and Federal requirements for operating a business - including compliance with all applicable State and Federal Labor, Wage, and Tax Laws.

8. Demonstrate the desire to be actively and personally involved in day-to-day business operations, including (but not withstanding) any physical demands associated with the operation of the business enterprise.

9. Demonstrate the ability to perform simple and routine care of the vending facility equipment.

10. Obtain and maintain any necessary certifications or trade licenses required to engage in a (food service) business operation according to State Law.

11. Make proper use of any and all necessary and available assistive technology, so as to assure maximum independence in the operation of the business enterprise.

12. Be willing to and demonstrate the ability to work under the supervision of the BEP management staff.

218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-50-00-3.5