Section 29-110. INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR EMPLOYMENT (IPE)

 

110.1The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall ensure that an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) meeting the requirements of this section and section 111 is developed and implemented in a timely manner for each individual determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.

 

110.2The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall ensure that services will be provided in accordance with the provisions of the IPE.

 

110.3The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall conduct an assessment:

 

(a)To determine the employment outcome, and the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services to be included in the IPE; and

 

(b)To ensure that the IPE is designed to achieve a specific employment outcome, as defined in section 199, that is selected by the individual consistent with the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

 

110.4The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall provide the following information to each eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative, in writing and, if appropriate, in the native language or mode of communication of the individual or the individual's representative:

 

(a)Information on the available options for developing the IPE, including the option that an eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative may develop all or part of the IPE:

 

(1)Without assistance from the Rehabilitation Services Administration or other entity; or

 

(2)With assistance from:

 

(A)A qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration;

 

(B)A qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor who is not employed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration; or

 

(C)Resources other than those in subsection (A) or (B) of this section;

 

(b)Additional information to assist the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative in developing the IPE, including:

 

(1)Information describing the full range of components that shall be included in an IPE; and

 

(2)Information that is appropriate to each eligible individual, such as:

 

(A)An explanation of the agency guidelines and criteria for determining an eligible individual's financial commitments under an IPE;

 

(B)Information on the availability of assistance in completing The Rehabilitation Services Administration forms required as part of the IPE; and

 

(C)Additional information that the eligible individual requests or the Rehabilitation Services Division determines to be necessary to the development of the IPE;

 

(3)A description of the rights and remedies available to the individual, including, if appropriate, recourse based on the processes described in section 135 through section 169; and

 

(4)A description of the availability of a Client Assistance Program and information on how to contact the Client Assistance Program.

 

110.5The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall ensure that:

 

(a)The IPE is a written document prepared on forms provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration;

 

(b)The IPE is developed and implemented in a manner that gives eligible individuals the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting:

 

(1)The employment outcome, including the employment setting;

 

(2)The specific vocational rehabilitation services needed to achieve the employment outcome, including the settings in which services will be provided;

 

(3)The entity or entities that will provide the vocational rehabilitation services; and

 

(4)The methods available for procuring the services;

 

(c)The IPE is:

 

(1)Agreed to and signed by the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative; and

 

(2)Approved and signed by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration;

 

(d)A copy of the IPE and a copy of any amendments to the IPE are provided to the eligible individual or, as appropriate, to the individual's representative, in writing and, if appropriate, in the native language or mode of communication of the individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative;

 

(e)The IPE is reviewed at least annually by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor and the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative to assess the eligible individual's progress in achieving the identified employment outcome;

 

(f)The IPE is amended, as necessary, by the individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative, in collaboration with a representative of the Rehabilitation Services Administration or a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor (to the extent determined to be appropriate by the individual), if there are substantive changes in the employment outcome, the vocational rehabilitation services to be provided, or the providers of the vocational rehabilitation services;

 

(g)The individual is informed that amendments to the IPE do not take effect until agreed to and signed by the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative and by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration; and

 

(h)An IPE for a student with a disability receiving special education services is developed:

 

(1)In consideration of the student's individualized education program (IEP); and

 

(2)In accordance with the plans, policies, procedures, and terms of the interagency agreement required under 34 C.F.R. § 361.22.

 

110.6The Rehabilitation Services Administration shall develop an IPE for the individuals determined to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services within a reasonable time whereas to take into consideration the needs of the individuals.

 

110.7To the extent possible, the employment outcome and the nature and scope of rehabilitation services to be included in the individual's IPE shall be determined based on the data used for the assessment of eligibility under section 103.

 

110.8If additional data are necessary to determine the employment outcome and the nature and scope of services to be included in the IPE of an eligible individual, the Rehabilitation Services Administration shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, including the need for supported employment services, of the eligible individual, in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the informed choice of the individual.

 

110.9In preparing the comprehensive assessment, the Rehabilitation Services Administration shall use, to the maximum extent possible and appropriate, and in accordance with confidentiality requirements, existing information that is current as of the date of the development of the IPE, including:

 

(a)Information available from other programs and providers, particularly information used by education officials and the Social Security Administration;

 

(b)Information provided by the individual and the individual's family; and

 

(c)Information obtained under the assessment for determining the individual's eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 27 DCR 4611 (October 17, 1980); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 6189 (August 1, 2003).