SECTION 12: ASSESSMENT of ELIGIBILITY/CERTIFICATE of ELIGIBILITY Or EXTENSION

SECTION 12: ASSESSMENT OF ELIGIBILITY/CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY or EXTENSION

A. An assessment of eligibility is required to document eligibility and must be completed within 60 days after receipt ofapplication unless the Rehabilitation Counselor and participant agree that more time is warranted.(See Section 7 regarding application for services.)

B. Scope of assessment. The assessment places primary emphasis upon determining whether a participant is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services based, to the maximum extent possible, on a review of existing information (i.e., medical, psychological, school, Social Security records) and, if additional data is necessary, a preliminary assessment of such data (including the provision of goods and services during such assessment).

The assessment may include evaluations or other assessments conducted by qualified personnel of the potential to benefit from rehabilitation technology services.

1. Vocational Assessment-this assessment involves a referral to Vocational Evaluators employed by the Designated State Unit(DSU). Upon referral the Vocational Evaluator will assess the referral and determine vocational evaluation needs with the Rehabilitation Counselor. The Vocational Evaluator will identify specific assessment tools and write an Evaluation Plan. Assessments include individualized testing, group testing, and community-based assessments. The Vocational Evaluator will conduct orientations to the assessment process for all participants and modify the assessments utilized or assessment environment based on functional limitations of the participant.

2. Timelines and Reporting Requirements-Community based assessments (CBA’s) must be developed within 30 work days of the date of referral, unless an extension is mutually agreed upon between the Vocational Evaluator, Rehabilitation Counselor and participant. The Vocational Evaluator monitors the CBA’s and must provide weekly progress notes to the Rehabilitation Counselor. There is no time requirement for individual or group testing, however, tests are to be administered within a reasonable period of time. Assessment reports require completion within 8 days of the date the participant exits the evaluation process. The results of the assessment(s) must be documented in a standardized report format, completed by a Vocational Evaluator. Vocational Evaluators will conduct staffings with the participant, identifying a variety of potential vocational goals that are based on assessment results, analysis and synthesis of participant behavioral data, functional limitations, past work history, current labor market trends and any other information necessary. Additional contact with participants requires the entry of a progress review note within 2 working days of the contact and a copy provided to the Rehabilitation Counselor.

PARTICIPANT SERVICES POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

Bureaus of Vocational Rehabilitation & Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired

Revised: 2006

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