[nfbmi-talk] is this your experience?

[Marcus Simmons]

My experience? My last case with MCB/CAP is 19 pages long in Microsoft Word 
document.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 12:07 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] is this your experience?


> http://www.mpas.org/Article.asp?TOPIC=10650
>
> Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service
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> Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service Logo
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> Vocational Rehabilitation Services
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> VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
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>
>
> Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services are provided through State 
> Designated Agencies with federal funding. VR services are any services 
> identified in
>
> the Individual Plan for Employment as necessary to assist an individual to 
> prepare for, secure, retain or regain an employment outcome that is 
> consistent
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> with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, 
> capabilities, interests and the informed choice of the individual. VR 
> services are not
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> an entitlement program. In order to be considered an eligible individual, 
> a person must:
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> Have a significant disability
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> Have an impediment to employment
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> Be able to benefit from a rehabilitation program.
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> Applying for services
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> Applications for services cannot be denied to anyone. The state VR agency 
> must prove that an individual could not benefit from services with clear 
> and convincing
>
> evidence based on the severity of the disability. If it is unclear what 
> kinds of services are needed, the VR agency must give the customer trial 
> work experiences
>
> to determine what services would be helpful. Someone who is receiving 
> Social Security Disability benefits (SSI of SSDI) is considered an 
> eligible individual.
>
> A determination of eligibility must be made within 60 days.
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>
>
> Individual Plan for Employment IPE (formerly IWRP)
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>
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> The IPE is the agreement between the state VR agency and the eligible 
> individual. After meeting with a qualified VR counselor, an IPE is 
> written. It includes
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> a stated vocational goal, the services needed to obtain the goal, how the 
> services will be paid for, who will provide the services.
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>
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> There is a place on the IPE for the individual to say in her-his own words 
> why this plan was developed and how they feel about it. The VR customer is 
> the
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> partner in this process. The service providers and the methods to procure 
> the services are to be selected by the individual. The IPE must be signed 
> by
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> the individual and the VR counselor.
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> The IPE must be reviewed at least annually. The plan must be amended by 
> the individual and the VR representative when there are substantive 
> changes in the
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> employment goal, the services to be provided and the service providers. 
> Any amendments do not take effect unless signed and agreed to by the 
> individual
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> and a qualified VR counselor.
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>
>
> Scope of Services Available
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> assessment
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>
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> counseling, guidance, and work-related placement services, job search 
> assistance, placement assistance, job retention service
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> personal assistance services
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> vocational and other training services
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> services to the families of such individuals
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> higher education
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> physical and mental restoration services, including but not limited to 
> therapeutic treatment necessary to correct or substantially modify
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> hospitalization in connection with surgery or treatment
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> diagnosis and treatment for mental and emotional disorders
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> maintenance
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> Interpreter services
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> transportation
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> technological aids and devices
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> transition services
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> one-the-job or other personal assistance services
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> supported employment services
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> Things VR will not pay for
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>
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> VR will not pay for anything that anyone else would pay for. For example, 
> they would not pay for the tuition for an individual who is receiving a 
> Pell Grant.
>
> VR will not reimburse for things that have already been paid for. VR will 
> not make mortgage or child support payments. VR must use comparable 
> services
>
> and benefits. VR will not buy you a car if you can use the bus to get to 
> work. VR does not have to comply with comparable services and benefits if 
> it is
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> determined that it would delay services that could cause physical risk or 
> loss of a job placement. VR must also provide assistive technology or 
> accommodations
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> if needed in order to keep a job, even if the employer would be legally 
> obligated to provide the accommodation.
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> 1998 Amendments
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> The Rehabilitation Act was amended as part of the Workforce Investment Act 
> of 1998. The emphasis of the amendments is to expand client choice 
> throughout
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> the VR process. There is also more emphasis on tele-commuting, small 
> business development and self-employment as a vocational option.
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> Due Process
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>
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> Individuals are to be informed of their right to appeal VR decisions 
> during the application process, development of the IPE and case closure. 
> The Client
>
> Assistance Program is mandated to provide advocacy services to VR 
> customers. When an appeal is requested, the pending negative action must 
> stop until the
>
> issue is resolved. A complaint can be made directly with a supervisor or 
> and individual can request a hearing before an Independent Hearing 
> Officer. Mediation
>
> is to be offered as an option to resolve issues when a hearing is 
> requested. The VR agency has 60 days from the time the request for hearing 
> is received
>
> to hold the hearing. Individuals can be represented by the Client 
> Assistance Program or any other advocate during the hearing. In Michigan, 
> the district
>
> manager must contact the individual who requests a hearing to try to 
> resolve the issue in an informal review.
>
>
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> If you have questions about your rights as a customer of the Michigan 
> Department of Labor and Economic Growth, contact the Client Assistance 
> Program at
>
> 800-292-5896
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>
>
> Return
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>
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> Valid HTML 4.0!
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> Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc.
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> Bobby Approved (v 3.2)
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