[nfbmi-talk] what a mess

Wed Aug 20 00:33:53 UTC 2014

And am wonderring from all just what services our veterans with disabilities get from these organizations? Where is the accountability? Who is served? Where does the money go, etc.?

Come on yawl let us know!

What a mess!

Now all after my signature line please denote the VA interagency agreements I got with much consternation and obfuscation from various vocational rehabilitation agencies. And note how vacuous these agreements are. I mean dig this; they exist in the most part between agencies that no longer even exist years after implementation and yet are supposedly “vetted” and approved in various VR and IL     State Plans.

And agencies like those in Michigan reap federal benefits for programs which they don’t even perform services. What kind of outright crap is this? I mean what does one call this sort of outright lie?

Now we in America are supposed to love and honor and benefit our veterans and we are supposed to give them their due. Yet here in Michigan we put b.S. into our state plan and total lies in to everything else in documented fashion without remedy, explanation or anything; and they call the likes of me “crazy”.

Now if one thinks I’m off the wall consider this. One again most of these organizations referenced in the “State Plan” don’t even exist!

Isn’t this enough to prove waste, fraud and a buse of federal funds?

MICHIGAN REHABILITATION SERVICES

AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

This agreement is entered into between the Michigan Rehabilitation Services, hereafter referred to as MRS, Michigan Commission for the Blind, hereafter referred to as MCB, Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, hereafter referred to as MCDC, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Michigan Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, hereafter referred to as VA-VRE.

I.       Purpose

In order to advance, improve and expand the work opportunities for veterans with disabilities MRS, MCB, MCDC, and VA-VRE herein commit themselves to working cooperatively in implementing the objectives set forth in this agreement.

II.     Statement of Need

MRS, MCB, MCDC, and VA-VRE believe that quality employment outcomes for veterans with disabilities can be increased and improved through a closer working relationship between MRS, MCB, MCDC, and VA-VRE.

III.  Terms of Agreement

Through collaboration and cooperation in the development of individualized plans for employment, delivery of planned services, and activities related to either return to work or obtaining/maintaining employment, MRS, MCB, MCDC, and VA-VRE staff will avoid the duplication of services to eligible veterans with disabilities.  Attachment A describes the referral and service delivery process that will be followed by MRS, MCB, MCDC and VA-VRE staff.  The MRS, MCB, MCDC, and VA-VRE will share information and coordinate activities as appropriate and in accordance with applicable statutes, to carry out and support the objectives of this cooperative agreement.  These activities, services and records shared will be provided in a timely and accurate manner.

IV. Authority

Title I and Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Title 38 United States Codes, as amended.

This agreement does not in itself authorize the expenditure or reimbursement of any funds.  Nothing in this agreement shall obligate the parties to expend appropriations or other monies, or to enter into any contract or other obligation.  Further, this agreement shall not be interpreted to limit, supersede, or otherwise affect either party’s normal operations or decisions in carrying out its mission, interacting with third party organizations and partners in for filling those operations or statutory or other regulatory duties.  Nothing in this agreement shall be interpreted as altering eligibility requirements for any MRS, MCB, MCDC or VA-VRE program authorized under Title 38 United States Code, as amended or Title I or Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

V.   Effective Date and Termination

This agreement shall become effective when signed by all parties listed below and shall remain in effect until either party chooses to discontinue.  This agreement may be terminated at any time upon 30 days advance notice by one party to the other, and may be amended by the written agreement of all parties, and/or their designees.

(Signed by)                                           (Signed by) 

Jaye Shamsiddeen, Bureau Director          Linda C. Walker, Director

Michigan Rehabilitation Services      Detriot VA Regional Office

3/28/08                                                 

(signed by)                                           (signed by)

Patrick D. Cannon                               Duncan Wyeth

State Director of                                   Bureau Director

Michigan Commission for the Blind   Michigan Commission on

11/2/08                                                 Disability Concerns

Attachments:

A:  Referral and service delivery process

B:  MRS and MCB Liaison to VRE Contact Map

C:  VA-VRE Referral Forms

     C1 – Cover Letter

     C2 – Data sheet

D:  MRS and MCB Forms for Information on Sharing and Referral Forms

     D1 – Confirmation to VRE of Assigned VR Counselor

     D2 – Referral & Feedback Form on VRE Referral

E:  MCDC Liaisons

F:  MCDC Referral Forms

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN

MICHIGAN REHABILITATION SERVICES,

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND,

MICHIGAN COMMISSION ON DISABILITY CONCERNS,

 and VA-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT 

ATTACHMENT A

REFERRAL AND SERVICE COORDINATION 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Under this Memorandum of Agreement, MRS, MCB, MCDC and VA-VRE will coordinate resources to maximize continuous improvement of vocational rehabilitation services for veterans with service connected disabilities to facilitate their return to work, to obtain and maintain competitive employment or achieve independent living objectives. 

The purpose of the Memorandum of Agreement is to assist VA-VRE to identify veterans who may be eligible for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services.  Under this agreement, VA-VRE is designated as the primary financial provider for recognized and necessary services, training, medical treatment, and assistive technology.

Any specific services and/or needs identified by MRS, MCB, MCDC and VA-VRE, that are necessary to expedite determination of eligibility or to allow the veteran to participate in a rehabilitation program, may be provided by the appropriate contributing partner(s) of this agreement.  These services include, but are not limited to, medical services, maintenance and transportation needs, assistive technology, case management and service delivery activities, employment assistance, and training.

REFERAL, ELIGIBILITY, AND SERVICE COORDINATION PROCEDURES

A. Definitions:

  1.. Referring Agency:  The Agency that initiates the exploration of interagency collaboration
  2.. Prospective Agency:  The agency to which a referral is being explored  
  3.. Partner Agencies:  If a veteran is determined eligible for services from both the “referring” and “prospective” agencies, both agencies are defined as “partner agencies”
  4.. Personal Contact:  A phone call, in-person meeting or email (with appropriate releases signed by the veteran) to facilitate communication.  
  5.. Formal Referral:  An exchange of information (e.g. releases, medical information, copies of rehabilitation plans etc.) to determine if the veteran is eligible for services from the prospective agency and/or to coordinate services.

B.  Procedures:

  1.. Exploration of an interagency referral is initiated by an agency as soon as it becomes apparent collaboration may facilitate the veteran’s obtaining or maintaining competitive employment.
  2.. As appropriate, referrals may be made to MCDC at any stage of the VR process.  Similarly, MCDC may refer veterans to VA-VRE, MRS and MCB.   
  3.. The following instructions outline specific procedures and actions related to referral, eligibility determination, and service coordination, for the referring and prospective agencies.  The instructions are correlated with the veteran’s status (i.e. application, eligibility, service delivery) with the referring agency.     

            Application:

            Referring Agency Actions 

1.      If the veteran is involved with a prospective agency, the counselor obtains appropriate releases and initiates personal contact (e.g. phone call, in-person meeting, email) with the agency to facilitate communication.  A formal referral is not initiated.

2.      If the veteran is not involved with a prospective agency, the counselor provides the veteran with information regarding prospective agencies. Personal contact or a formal referral is not initiated. 

3.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

            Prospective Agency Actions

1.      None

            Eligibility Determination:

            Referring Agency Actions

            Veteran is Determined Ineligible by the Referring Agency:  

1.      If personal contact during application, or subsequent to application, indicated the veteran was involved with a prospective agency, a personal contact is made to inform the agency the veteran is ineligible for services. 

2.      In all cases, the veteran is provided with information regarding prospective agencies.  Personal contact or a formal referral is not initiated 

3.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

            Veteran is Determined Eligible by the Referring Agency:

1.      A personal contact is made with the prospective agency if interagency collaboration may facilitate the veteran’s VR program.

2.      A formal referral is made to the prospective agency, if warranted, based on the personal contact. 

3.      If the veteran is eligible for services from both agencies, all subsequent VR services are coordinated, as appropriate, with the partner agency. 

4.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

Prospective Agency Actions:

            Veteran is Determined Ineligible by the Prospective Agency:  

1.      The referring agency is informed of the ineligibility decision.

2.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

            Veteran is Determined Eligible by the Prospective Agency:

1.      The referring agency is informed of the eligibility decision.

2.      If the veteran is eligible for services from both agencies, all subsequent VR services are coordinated, as appropriate, with the partner agency.

3.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

            Service Delivery:

            Partner Agency Actions 

1.      All actions and services, as appropriate, are coordinated between the partner agencies.

            Generally, this coordination will follow a two-step process:

·         Personal contact between the partner agencies to discuss and coordinate actions and/or services.  This includes, as appropriate, discussion of all significant areas of mutual concern such as the development of the employment plan and subsequent amendments, rehabilitation progress and services, placement, and case closure. 

·         Finalization of agreed upon actions and/or services, based on the prior personal contact and exchange of documents, as appropriate.

2.      Referral to MCDC as appropriate.

INFORMATION SHARING

            With a signed release from the veteran, available records and other            information will be shared between MRS, MCB and VA-VRE without cost           and in a timely manner.  Any information released by VA-VRE must be        released through the VA Regional Office Public Contact Team.  Any             information shared by VA-VRE will be in compliance with HIPPA rules      and VA-VRE             Data Integrity Procedures.   

            Parties must adhere to the provisions of Public Law 104-191, Health 

            Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and the            National Standards to Protect the Privacy and Security of Protected Health       Information (PHI), to the extent that such laws are applicable to them.  

            As required by HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services 

            (HHS) has promulgated rules governing the security and use and 

            disclosure of protected health information by covered entities, including 

            the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  MRS and MCB agree not to 

            re-disclose any protected information received from the VA and to adhere 

            to the confidentiality requirements of their agencies, consistent with 

            34CFR 361.38.

            The following materials will be included, as applicable, in the referral packet for a formal referral:

·         Current contact information 

·         Current medical records 

·         Copy of the rehabilitation plan, if available 

·         Education and work history information 

·         Referral cover letter 

·         A signed release of information

·         Veterans’ psychological records will be released directly through the appropriate VA  Medical Center with the veteran’s written informed consent.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

            All agencies will adhere to their respective policies and procedures.            Disputes between to parties will be settled at the lowest level possible.

            The final level of interagency dispute resolution will be at the Director level           for each of the agencies.  Individual consumers may choose to use the 

            due process procedures of each of the parties as appropriate.

FORMS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Agreed upon forms and contact information are to be used, as applicable, by all parties.  