American Indian

Vocational Rehabilitation

Training and

Technical Assistance Center

The contents of this PowerPoint were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent

the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e - 3 and

3474)

Delivery of Services to American Indian and Alaskan Natives with Disabilities

Suzanne Malson, M.S.

VR Training and TA Specialist

Dr. Lee R. Gaseoma, Ed.D

Project Director

Thank you to

John McDermott

Dana Cihelkova

Darold Joseph

Georgie Ann Reblin

• Video placeholder

Grand Canyon

Suzanne Malson, M.S.

Vocational Rehabilitation Training & TA Specialist

Over fifteen years of work experience in Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation!

The contents of this PowerPoint were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e - 3 and

3474)

Lee R. Gaseoma, Ed.D.,

Hopi Tribal Member

AIVRTTAC Project Director

Ed.D - Educational Leadership

Over twenty years of work experience providing training and TA to the AIVRS programs.

The contents of this PowerPoint were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e - 3 and

3474)

Learning Objectives

AIVRS STAFF WILL BE ABLE…

LO1 …to gain insight into one example of the AIVRS process model

LO2 …to understand the importance of a systematic and sequential documentation of the delivery of consumer services

LO3…to understand the benefit of conducting a comprehensive assessment of the applicants’ impediment to employment fordetermining eligibility

LO4 …to gain an understanding of the holistic approach to the provision of Tribal consumer services

LO5…to understand the importance of the joint development of the IPE by the consumer and the VR Counselor focusing on consumers’ informed choice

LO6 …to provide VR services as described in the IPE

LO7 …to determine the criteria for Post Employment Services

Orientation Intake Application Eligibility

Case OpenIndividualized Plan

for EmploymentCase Close

Tracking & PostEmployment Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Processes

Examples of linking processes...

Intake and Application Process

The application process for

a potential consumer begins

with a referral by oneself,

a family member, or an

organization.

Intake and Application Process

The Intake is the most vital part of an AIVRS program because this is the first formal meeting between a VR Counselor and a potential consumer who may be uneasy about the vocational rehabilitation (VR) process

Intake and Application Process

What happens during an Intake Interview…

a. Building of trust through program hospitality

b. Sharing program information

c. Gathering applicant data and information

d. Filling out and signing forms

e. Explaining the VR Process

Informing applicants a. Applicant Rights to…

Privacy; Access records (request must be in writing); Amendment to records; Rights and Remedies; a Tribal Fair Hearing (Established a Tribal Resolution)

b. Responsibilities of ApplicantKeep appointment, Gather documents, Family involvement

c. Responsibilities of AIVRS program is to…Inform, Ethically conscientious, and Traditionally sensitive

d. Client Assistance Program (CAP)e. Confidentiality, and to arrange for…f. Comparable Services and Benefits

Intake and Application Process

Intake is a comprehensive process to determine how an individual’s disability is an impediment to employment

VR counselors need to observe potential consumer closely for signs of weariness or hunger -schedule another appointment if necessary

.

The person sitting opposite you could be a diabetic and may require a sugar snack

Invite your consumer to sit comfortably and avoid barriers, such as a desk

To ease the anxiety of applicants, VR counselor’s ought to be practicing good listening skills

Intake and Application Process

Is your AIVRS program sensitive to the needs of your people with disabilities?

Contemplate the “holistic” approach to services that makes AIVRS different from the State VR agencies

Physical Mental

Spiritual Emotional

• Embracing the holistic approach to services means that your AIVRS program is observing and considering the internal and external environment of people with disabilities

• Examples of internal and external factors…• Cultural traditions

• Remoteness and lack of resources

• Employment and educational opportunities or the lack of opportunities

• The lack of economic development, and

• Rural vs Urban…

Is your AIVRS program sensitive to the needs of your people with disabilities?

About AIVRS• Inform your potential consumer about your AIVRS program; handouts are helpful tools, such as a Consumer Hand Book, a Brochure, and the AIVRS Success Wheel

• Talk about program personnel, ethics and confidentiality

• Discuss applicants’ work history and educational background

Intake and Application Process

Carlisle Pupils

Outside evaluation is considered when a VR Counselor is unable to verify or determine a disability or requires additional information to determine eligibility

Intake and Application Process

Documents that are required to determine eligibility that must be administered during the application process are…

• Medical records

• School records

• SSI and/or SSDI documentation

• Presumptive eligibility is the rule with either SSI or SSDI documentation, and

• Documentation from outside professional vocational assessment

Intake and Application Process

Determining Eligibility is a comprehensive assessment using the following criteria:

• The eligibility of a potential consumer is the responsibility VR Counselor

• Documents proving applicants eligibility must be linked to case notes

Eligibility

Eligibility

• An individual is “Presumed to Benefit” under The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1998 section c102.

• Presumptive Eligibility refers to an individual who is receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income, (SSI)

• Presumptive Eligibility for VR services is when an individual is receiving Social Security benefits Title II (SSI) or Title XVI (SSDI).

Five criteria to Determine Eligibility

1. Individual applying for service is a Tribal member of a federal or state recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native

2. Person must reside on or near the reservation or in the designated geographic service area

3. Person must have a mental or physical impairment, which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and…

Eligibility

Five criteria to Determine Eligibility

4. Vocational rehabilitation services are required to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment consistent with the applicant’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice;

5. The applicant can benefit from the provided services to achieve an employment outcome from Tribal vocational rehabilitation services

Eligibility

Before a final decision is determined about the provision of services for Tribal consumers too severe to benefit from Tribal VR services, consider acquiring an outside evaluation and a technological resource procedure to better identify an individual's vocational abilities

Eligibility

Evaluation Options from External Sources

• Psychological evaluation

• Assistive technology assessment

• Reasonable Accommodations and evaluations at work sites to assess the more severely disabled

Eligibility

Documents required for eligibility and the timeline for determining eligibility

• Tribal Certification - Identification Card or CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood)

• Residence Certification; and

• Tribal VR has 60-days maximum to Determine Eligibility

Eligibility

Ineligibility

Determination of Applicant’s Ineligibility

If an individual who applies for vocational rehabilitation is determined NOT to be eligible for services, the ineligibility determination involved shall be made only after providing an opportunity for full consultation with the individual or, the individual's representative.

A case is opened when a VR Counselor determines an applicant eligible for VR services

The VR Counselor signs off on an eligibility statement and/or creates a case note to support decision

All internal documents and external eligibility documents are placed in consumers’ file

Case Open

• The IPE is the written plan outlining a consumers’ goals and the services required to reach those goals

• The IPE is written based on the VR Counselor’s assessment and/or an external assessment and consumer’s input

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

• The Plan is design to recognize an individuals’ strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice

• The implementation of the IPE should begin within 30-calendar days of signatures; if more time is required written justification for extension must be provided and the IPE and/or the situation must be reviewed every 30-days from that point on

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

• The IPE is developed in collaboration and partnership with the participant or their representative, as appropriate and the VR Counselor

• Family can participate in the process if necessary at the request of the consumer

• The IPE must be reviewed annually

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

IPE Criteria

a. Employment goals

b. Objectives to meet goals

c. Services needed to reach consumer goals, includes the services from other agencies, if available

d. Traditional Healing services as appropriate

e. Responsibilities of consumer

f. Responsibility of AIVRS program

g. Comparable services and benefits

h. The VR Counselor will assist in the development of an IPE

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Vital information VR Counselor’s need from consumer for joint development of an IPE

• Gather information on education, employment history, and health

• Assess individual’s functional capacities

• Explore vocational options

• Investigate the details of multiple vocations that may be of interest

• Explore education and training opportunities

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Expectations from Consumer Informed Choices

• A desired outcome of employment in a competitive integrated work setting

• Expectation of achieving the goals in the IPE that leads to employment

• The Vocational Services required to achieve the goals of the IPE

• Know and understand the responsibilities of AIVRS, as well as the cost associated with the planned services

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

• Provision of consumer services is based on the IPE

• IPE is monitored to determine if there is a need for an amendment to the IPE, and this is based on a consumer’s changing situation or progression of a disability

• The IPE can be amended at any time during the consumers relationship with AIVRS; however,

• It is mandatory to meet with a consumer once a year to review the IPE, and this is to insure that the goals of the IPE are met and if required a revision to the exiting IPE be implemented

Provision of VR Services

• Successful 90 day employment in the consumers’ choice of a work environment

• Provide reasonable accommodation for consumers to perform their duties effectively and efficiently

• Determination of appropriate job placement in an integrated setting to the satisfaction of the consumer and employer

Employment and Case Closure

• Meet with consumer and consider if Post Employment Services will be required

• Conduct a exit interview with consumer and have consumer complete a satisfaction survey

• Celebrate the consumer’s successful employment outcome with staff, family, Council members, and employer

Employment and Case Closure

Tracking a Successful Closure

• Three months • Six months, and • One year after closure

The AIVRS methods for internal data collection must be able to provide the 3-month, 6-month, and one year tracking for successful employment outcomes for the annual performance report.

Employment and Case Closure

Other reasons for closure

• If a consumer indicates they are no longer interested in the services of the AIVRS Program;

• If the AIVRS counselor is unable to locate or contact consumer;

• If a consumer is no longer available to receive services;

• If a consumer cannot achieve suitable employment;

• If a consumer fails to cooperate.

Employment and Case Closure

Consumers are eligible for post-employment services for the NEXT twelve (12) months after a case is closed successfully

The rational for opening a new case would be to learn that an individuals’ disability has progressed and is now presenting a different set of impediments to maintaining or retaining employment

If so, there may be a need for the consumer to explore a different vocational goal in relation to their functional abilities and career interests

Post-Employment Services (PES)

Responsibility of AIVRS to Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding closure:

If a consumer is currently receiving SSA benefits and has failed to achieve employment, AIVRS Programs are required to submit a disclosure report regarding information on a consumers’ status to the Social Security

Administration.

Post-Employment Services (PES)

Delivery of Services to American Indian and Alaska Natives with Disabilities

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