Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if it is appropriate to place a client’s name on the Waiting List?
There are three conditions for placing a client’s name on the Waiting List
  1. The individual’s suitable job goal is either sheltered employment (status 51) or community employment (status 52);
  2. The CRPs in your district do not currently have the capacity to serve the individual; and
  3. The individual is willing to wait for employment services and is available and ready for such services once his or her name has reached the top of the Waiting List.
What happens when an EE client wants to change jobs or loses a job? Is he or she then referred back to VR?
There are three options for an EE client who is changing jobs:
  1. go back to VR and go through regular services;
  2. go back to VR for post-employment services; or
  3. have the CRP complete a job search and initiate job coaching under the EE funding stream.

The client and those working on his or her case will make this decision jointly. For example, if the client is changing jobs to a position similar to his or her previous one, and thus requires only minimal job coaching, then the EE funding stream may be continued. Alternatively, if the client will require re-training at significant expense, then a referral to VR would be appropriate for a determination of the extent of services needed.

What happens when a client wants to leave the sheltered employment setting and transition to community-based employment?
When a client wants to transition from sheltered employment to community-based employment the procedure for such transition is as follows:
  1. If the client requests or requires assessment of suitability for employment in a community setting, he or she will be referred to VR for this purpose. The client will then be placed in status 53 (EE services interrupted) unless extended employment services are to be continued during the assessment.
  2. If community-based employment is determined to be suitable for the client, then VR will begin providing time-limited services and we will place the client's case in status 58. The provision of time-limited services for any new case involving a determination of eligibility, IPE, or post-employment services is at the discretion of VR. When the client has achieved stability in a community-based position, we will place his or her case in status 52.
  3. Should the VR assessment determine that a community-based outcome is not feasible, the client may resume his or her position in the sheltered/segregated setting (status 51).
What happens when a client has been in job coaching for a significant period of time and he or she has not become stable on the job?
The time frame recommended by the Rehabilitation Services Administration for job coaching funded by VR is 18 months. A client’s case must be reviewed individually as the end of the 18-month period approaches. Once the reason the lack of success to achieve stability has been determined, the client and the team providing services must then decide whether or not to continue job coaching. If it appears that the client will not become stable on the job, then one of three courses of action may be taken, depending on the particular reason for the lack of success to achieve stability.

If it is determined that the position chosen by the client is inappropriate for his or her level of functioning, then a new IPE must be completed with a job goal that is well suited to the client’s skill level. If it should become apparent that community employment is not an appropriate setting for the client, then consideration of a sheltered setting is warranted. Finally, if there are medical or mental health issues preventing successful stabilization on the job, a temporary discontinuation of the IPE is warranted until the client has achieved medical or psychological stability; a new IPE or an amendment to the client’s IPE may then be completed to reflect his or her abilities.

Who is responsible for filling out the forms?
Part A and Part B of the Referral form requires completion and a signature from a VR counselor. Part C requires completion and a signature from a CRP and/or a VR representative (depending on where the client is in the EE process). If the client is in either status 50 or 58, the VR counselor will complete Part C. If the client is in either status 51 or 52, a CRP representative will complete Part C.

The Cooperative Agreement will require completion by a CRP representative.

The Extended Employment Plan (EEP) is to be completed by the CRP with the client’s input.

May I use clients’ names when I email information?
Since electronic mail, or email, is neither secure nor confidential, client names should not be used in email messages. If you need to refer in an email message to IDVR paperwork already on file, e.g., the Referral form, then you may use the client’s first name and his or her last name initial. In the event you need to send information about a client whom IDVR may have no way of identifying, please call or fax the information to us. For security reasons IDVR will not respond to emails that use full client names.