17.2 Criteria for a Successful Vocational Rehabilitation Closure

For an individual who has achieved an employment outcome, the record of services may only be closed if all of the following requirements are met:

1. The individual has achieved the employment outcome that is described in the IPE or IPE amendments.

2. The employment outcome is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

3. The service record shall contain documentation that demonstrates the vocational rehabilitation services provided under the individual's IPE (including supplements and amendments) contributed to the achievement and/or maintenance of the employment outcome.

1. The individual has maintained the employment outcome for an appropriate period of time, but not less than 90 days, necessary to ensure the stability of the employment outcome.

a. In the case of supported employment, the individual has maintained the employment outcome and achieved stability in the work setting for at least 90 days after transitioning to extended services.

2. The individual no longer needs vocational rehabilitation services.

The DVR Counselor, staff person, and/or appropriate service provider shall contact the individual and, when appropriate, the employer, at least once per month to assess job stability and ensure that the employment outcome is maintained for the minimum time required (90 days) for all successful employment outcomes. The service record shall contain documentation of the person(s) contacted as well as the content and outcome of each contact.

At the end of the appropriate period (no less than 90 days), the DVR Counselor and the individual, and if appropriate, the individual’s authorized representative, shall consider the employment outcome satisfactory and agree that the individual is performing well in the employment.

There shall be verification in the service record that the individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage and that the individual's wage and level of benefits are not less than that customarily paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by non-disabled individuals. Verification may include the participant’s verbal/written confirmation, a copy of a job announcement that includes wage information, a written statement by a job placement specialist or other provider, employer verification, or other type of verification. Self-employment requires that the income goal identified in the IPE has been met.

Certain employment outcomes (i.e., ranch hand, nanny) have compensation packages that include salary plus room and board, which in total meets minimum requirements for competitive wage.

Subsequent to the individual attaining employment and prior to case closure, the individual, and if appropriate, the individual’s authorized representative, shall be informed through appropriate modes of communication of the availability of post-employment services.

Upon service record closure, Ticket to Work participants shall be informed about the resources and assistance available by utilizing an Employment Network (EN). Participants will also be notified that Ticket assignment to an EN must occur within 90 days in order to maintain Continuing Disability Review (CDR) protection. A list of available EN’s in Colorado and/or contact information can be found here and shall be provided to all beneficiaries closed as successfully employed.

A supported employment outcome shall meet all criteria for a successful vocational rehabilitation closure. Closure for individuals with most significant disabilities successfully working in supported employment settings shall meet additional criteria identified and agreed upon in the IPE Supplement for Supported Employment. Documentation in the service record shall provide evidence that the individual is:

● Performing individualized or customized competitive integrated employment.

● Working the number of hours identified as their weekly work goal.

A self-employment outcome requires that the business development results identified and agreed upon in the IPE for Self-Employment shall be achieved prior to closure of the service record. Documentation in the service record shall provide evidence that the following closure criteria have been met:

1. The business is operational and meeting all federal, state, and local laws governing the operation of the business, including maintaining adequate insurance coverage for business requirements.

2. The business is meeting the agreed upon income goal, and generating sufficient income to cover all required business expenses and associated impairment-related expenses, if applicable.

3. The individual and the DVR Counselor agree that the individual’s technical and managerial skills are adequate for ongoing business management and continued growth without further vocational rehabilitation services.

In the event the counselor is unable to reach the participant directly, the service record shall document that the counselor made multiple contact attempts using a variety of times and methods. Once current employment has been verified and documented, the counselor can send a closure letter providing information about the availability of Post-Employment Services and individual appeal rights.

Determining whether temporary or seasonal employment is a successful employment outcome may include consideration of the following:

● Requirements for successful vocational rehabilitation closure have been met.

● Job is reasonably expected to continue.

● Employment stability, as measured by the need for further VR services.

● The individual and counselor agree that the outcome is satisfactory based on informed choice.

● The outcome is consistent with industry standards documented in the case record.

● Consultation with a District Supervisor.