TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS...... 2

REQUIREMENTS IN WORKING WITH THE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE SYSTEM...... 5

DEFINITIONS...... 9

SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES...... 22

CASE SERVICES GUIDANCE...... 27

PERFORMANCE MEASURES...... 44

INFORMED CHOICE...... 49

SERVING STUDENTS AND YOUTH IN TRANSITION...... 52

COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS...... 58

SERVICES TO GROUPS...... 64

SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS...... 65

POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE/REFERRAL FOR SERVICES & STATUS 02-0...... 67

STATUS 08-0: CLOSED BEFORE ACCEPTED INTO SERVICE

ASSESSMENT FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

STATUS 04-0 AND STATUS 10-_: ACCEPTED FOR SERVICES, DOES NOT MEET SEVERITY CATEGORY BEING SERVED

INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR EMPLOYMENT...... 87

STATUS 14-0: COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE...... 101

STATUS 16-0: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RESTORATION SERVICES...... 103

STATUS 18-_: TRAINING

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT)...... 112

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR POST-SECONDARY TRAINING...... 119

WORKER’S COMPENSATION REHABILITATION RETRAINING BENEFIT...... 125

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES...... 127

JOB COACHING (Non-Supported Employment)...... 132

IVRS SELF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM...... 134

STATUS 20-0: READY FOR EMPLOYMENT...... 143

STATUS 22-0: PLACEMENT...... 145

STATUS 24-0: SERVICES INTERRUPTED

STATUS 26-0: CLOSED REHABILITATED...... 149

STATUS 28-0: CLOSED AFTER PLAN INITIATED...... 151

STATUS 30-0: CLOSED BEFORE PLAN INITIATED...... 153

STATUS 32-0: POST- EMPLOYMENT SERVICES...... 154

STATUS 33-_: CLOSED FROM POST-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES...... 157

STATUS 38-0: CLOSED FROM STATUS 04-0...... 158

SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF REHABILITATION SECTION...... 159

BENEFITS COUNSELING...... 160

MAINTENANCE...... 162

MISCELLANEOUS...... 163

Service To Family Members:...... 163

Interpreter and Notetaker Services:...... 163

Other Goods and Services:...... 164

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES...... 165

REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY...... 166

COMPUTER REQUEST...... 171

TRANSPORTATION...... 172

OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SECTION...... 174

APPEARANCE AS A WITNESS...... 175

ELIGIBILITY EXCLUSIONS...... 177

AUTHORIZATIONS AND BILLINGS (R-450)...... 178

PURCHASE PRINCIPLES...... 182

MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT AUTHORIZATIONS AND FEES...... 184

CONFIDENTIALITY/RELEASE OF INFORMATION...... 186

AUTHORITY FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION (R-407) INSTRUCTIONS...... 192

BACKGROUND CHECKS...... 194

CASELOAD MANAGEMENT REPORT...... 197

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM...... 200

COMPARABLE SERVICES AND BENEFITS AND FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION...... 202

FINANCIAL INVENTORY (R-406) INSTRUCTIONS...... 204

COPIES OF CASE FILE INFORMATION...... 205

HEARINGS AND APPEALS...... 206

JOB CANDIDATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES...... 212

SECURITY BREACH...... 214

UTILIZATION OF COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS...... 215

WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT (WOTC)...... 217

FORMS SECTION...... 219

ORDER OF CASE FILING...... 220

FORMS LIST...... 223

AGREEMENTS SECTION...... 225

AGREEMENT WITH IOWA DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND...... 226

AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION...... 226

AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES...... 226

AGREEMENT WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF SAFE DATA...... 226

AGREEMENT WITH THE VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION...... 226

AGREEMENT WITH STATE-LEVEL IOWA ONE-STOP PARTNERS UNDER WIOA...... 226

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REQUIREMENTS IN WORKING

WITH THE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE SYSTEM

(Rev. 09/2016)

This manual contains hyperlinks to referenced words, phrases and policy sections to assist the reader in understanding IVRS policy. Words appearing asblue underlined textare hyperlinks. After selecting a hyperlink, to navigate back to the original policy section pressALT+LEFT ARROW. A hyperlink that has previously been selected will appear asred underlined text.

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REQUIREMENTS IN WORKING

WITH THE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE SYSTEM

(Rev. 09/2016)

1 | Page

REQUIREMENTS IN WORKING

WITH THE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE SYSTEM

(Rev. 09/2016)

REQUIREMENTS IN WORKING WITH THE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE SYSTEM

Adapted from the RSA-TAC-15-01

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was signed into law on July 22, 2014, is designed to assist job-seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market. There is an expectation that IVRS will match employers with the skilled workers who have disabilities that they need so that business and industry can compete in the global economy. WIOA amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and ushers in a new era for IVRS to make great strides in working with and across the various systems so individuals with disabilities can and will be successful in obtaining gainful competitive integrated employment.

The purpose of this policy is to align the work of IVRS with the technical assistance provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), which laid out a vision for the one-stop delivery system under WIOA to link key technical assistance and resources to integrate the vision. The vision reflects the long-standing and ongoing work of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), Iowa Workforce Development, Adult Literacy, and the Office of Career and Technical Education to align a wide range of programs to provide high quality customer service to job seekers with disabilities and businesses through the One-Stop delivery system. America’s Job Centers, formerly known as One-Stop Delivery Centers, and IVRS are reformed in the service delivery models due to the WIOA legislation, creating a more integrated, job-driven service delivery system. This system is one that links theState’s diverse talent with employers and businesses.

WIOA strengthens the role of IVRS in the America’s Job Centers by emphasizing results for job-seekers with disabilities, employers and workers. It reinforces the partnerships and strategies necessary for America’s Job Centers to provide high-quality career services, education, training and support services to individuals with disabilities that are needed to obtain good jobs and maintain employment. It focuses the work of the partnership on assisting businesses to find skilled workers and access the supports they need for their current and newly hired workforce. This is accomplished by providing all customers of the America’s Job Centers access to a range of high-quality services available in their community. This requires IVRS to be an integral partner and be jointly responsible for workforce and economic development, educational, training, and supports to create a seamless customer-focused American Job Center that integrates service delivery across all programs and enhances access to the programs and services.

Through the American Job Centers the core partners ensure that businesses and job seekers are a shared customer and they have access to information and services that lead to positive employment outcomes. IVRS staff provide the guidance and expertise on disability-related issues and accessibility so that the promise of the legislation materializes into a comprehensive system of service and support. IVRS’ role is focused on disability and respects the expertise and authority of the other partners to achieve the common measures. Under WIOA, the partnership:

  • Provides job-seekers with the skills and credentials necessary to secure and advance in employment with family sustaining wages;
  • Provides access and opportunities to all job seekers to prepare for, obtain, maintain, and advance in high-quality employment and high-demand careers;
  • Enables businesses and employers to easily identify and hire skilled workers and access other supports for their current workforce;
  • Participates in rigorous evaluations that support continuous improvements in the American Job Centers by identifying strategies that work for different populations; and
  • Ensures that high-quality integrated data inform decisions made by IVRS and the core partners, employers and IVRS job-seekers.

WIOA encourages the establishment of American Job Center certification criteria with common policies and procedures related to operation and delivering of services. The following characteristics are consistent with the scope of the core programs and are designed to reflect the elements of a high-quality American Job Center:

  1. Provides excellent customer service to job-seekers, workers, and businesses by:
  2. Reflecting a welcoming environment to all who are served by the center and all staff respectfully are sensitive to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and are prepared to provide necessary accommodations.
  3. Develops, offers, and delivers quality business services that assist industry sectors in overcoming challenges of recruitment, retention, and staff development for the regional economy.
  4. Improves the skills of job seekers and workers through access to education and training that leads to an industry recognized credential through the use of career pathways, etc.
  5. Creates opportunities for individuals at all skill levels and experiences by providing timely labor market, and job-driven information to make informed choices.
  6. Provides career services that support and empower individuals with disabilities.
  7. Values the development of skills by assessing and improving those essential skills for employment.
  8. American Job Centers reflect innovative and effective service design and:
  9. Use an integrated and expert intake process for all customers entering the center;
  10. Design and implement practices that actively engage industry sectors;
  11. Balance traditional labor exchange services with strategic talent development as needed by the regional economy;
  12. Ensure meaningful access to the center by all customers through physical and programmatic accessibility;
  13. Include both virtual and center-based service delivery for job-seekers, workers, and businesses; and
  14. Incorporate innovative and evidence-based delivery models.
  15. Centers operate with integrated computer systems and high-quality staffing. High quality centers:
  16. Reflect robust partnerships across programs that are not only co-located but are integrated seamlessly;
  17. Organize and integrate services by function, coordinating staff communication, capacity building, and training efforts through functional alignment where center staffs perform similar tasks serving on relevant functional teams (i.e. Skill Development Team, Business Services Team). The focus is on service integration and serving all customers seamlessly by providing a full range of staff by cross-functional teams, consistent with the purpose, scope and requirements of each program;
  18. Develop and maintain integrated case management systems;
  19. Train and equip center staff with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to provide superior services to job seekers, businesses, and workers so that differing programs understand every program and share their expertise about specific needs per population served so all staff can better serve individuals with disabilities. All staff are keenly aware of how their particular function supports and contributes to the overall vision and outcomes; and
  20. Staff the center with highly trained career counselors skilled in developing workers’ skill sets for employment success.

Summary

The following model depicts how IVRS staff will work with organizations and Job Centers in providing technical expertise and services pertaining to individuals with disabilities:

361.23 – Requirements Related to the Statewide Workforce System

As a partner of the One-Stop delivery system, IVRS must carry out the following functions:

  1. Make available to participants through the One-Stop service delivery system the core services that are provided to all job candidates of IVRS;
  2. Follow the methods of referral as described and agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding;
  3. Paricipate in the operation of the One-Stop service delivery system;
  4. Provide representation on the Regional Workforce Investment and Opportunity Board;
  5. Provide information, training, and technical assistance regarding:
  6. The availability and benefits of, and information on eligiblity standards for, vocational rehabilitation services;
  7. Promote the meaningful and effective participation by individuals with disabilities in the One-Stop service delivery system and other workforce partner activities through the promotion of accessibility consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Act, the use of nondiscriminatory polices and procedures, and the provison of reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services, and rehabilitation technology for individuals with disabilities;
  8. The use of information and financial management systems that link all of the partners of the One-stop service delivery system to one another and to other electronic networks specifically as it pertains to employment statistics and labor market information, job vacancies, career planning, and workforce partnership activities;
  9. The use of customer service features such as common intake and referral procedures, customer databases, resource information,etc;
  10. Establishment of cooperative efforts with employers to facilitate job placement and carry out other activites that employers determine to be useful; and
  11. Resolve conflicts and disputes among staff according to the MoU agreement.

Exceptions

None.

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DEFINITIONS

(Rev. 04/2017)

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DEFINITIONS

(Rev. 04/2017)

DEFINITIONS

  1. General Definitions

1.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against an individual with a disability in all aspects of public life such as jobs, transportation, schools, and other public and private places open to the general public.

2.Applicant: An individual who submits an application for vocational rehabilitation services, including applications made through common intake procedures in One-Stop centers or through partnerships with LEAs and CRPs.

3.Applicant’s/Individual’s Representative: A parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of an applicant or individual.

4.Appropriate Modes of Communication: Specialized aids and supports that enable an individual with a disability to comprehend and respond to information that is being communicated. Appropriate modes of communication include, but are not limited to, the use of interpreters, open and closed captioned videos, specialized telecommunications services and audio recordings, augmentative communication devices, graphic presentations, and simple language materials.

5.AssessmentforDeterminingEligibilityand Vocational Rehabilitation Needs:Means as appropriate in each case:

a.A review of existing data;

b.To determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services; and

c.To assign priority for services;

d.Provide appropriate assessment activities to obtain necessary additional data to make such determinations and assignments;

e.To the extent additional data is necessary to make a determination of the employment outcomes, and the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services to be included in the IPE;

f.A comprehensive review/assessment to determine the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, including the need for supported employment, of the eligible individual;

g.Is limited to information that is necessary to identify the rehabilitation needs of the individual and to develop the IPE for employment of the eligible individual;

h.Uses as a primary source of such information to the maximum extent possible and in accordance with confidentiality standards –

1)Existing information obtained for eligibility;

2)Information provided by the individual, or family of the individual;

3)Information that considers the personality, interpersonal skills, interests, intelligence, and related functional capacities and educational achievements, etc., that affect the employment and rehabilitation needs of the individual;

4)May include an appraisal of patterns of work behaviors and services needed to acquire occupational skills and develop work attitudes, habits, tolerances, and behavior patterns necessary for successful job performance;

5)Relies on information obtained from experiences in integrated employment settings in the community and other integrated community settings;

i.Referral for the provision of rehabilitation technology services to assess and develop the capacities of the individual to perform in a work environment; and

j.An exploration of the individual’s abilities, capabilities, and capacity to perform in work situations, which shall be assessed periodically during competitive integrated work experiences, including experiences in which the individual is afforded appropriate supports and training.

6.Assistive Technology: Any aid or device (low tech through high tech) that assists the individual in performing the essential functions of a job and is required in order for the individual to meet the qualified applicant standard to be employed in a manner that the barrier to employment is remediated.

7.CAP: Client Assistance Program

8.Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP): A program that provides directly, or facilitates, the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; and that provides singly or in combination, for an individual with a disability to enable the individual to maximize opportunities for employment, including career advancement to include:

a.Medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, and vocational services that are provided under one management;

b.Testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices;

c.Recreational therapy;

d.Physical and occupational therapy;

e.Speech, language, and hearing therapy;

f.Psychiatric, psychological, and social services including positive behavior management;

g.Assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs;

h.Rehabilitation technology;

i.Job development, placement, and retention services;

j.Evaluation or control of specific disabilities;

k.Extended employment;

l.Psychosocial rehabilitation services; and

m.Supported employment services and extended services.

9.Comparable Services and Benefits:Means services and benefits, including accommodations and auxiliary aids and services listed below. This does not include awards and scholarships based on merit.

a.Provided or paid for, in whole or in part, by other federal, state or local public agencies, by health insurance, or by employee benefits;

b.Available to the individual at the time needed to ensure the progress of the individual toward achieving the employment outcome in the individual’s IPE; and

c.Commensurate to the services that the individual would otherwise receive from IVRS.

10.Competitive Integrated Employment: Work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis including self-employment for which an individual: