1. (a)

   1. (1) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will receive referrals from any source.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Eligibility requirements will be applied without regard to the person’s:

2. (i) Sex;

   1. (ii) Race;

      1. (iii) Age;

         1. (iv) Creed;
         2. (v) Color; or
         3. (vi) National origin.
      2. (B) No group of individuals will be excluded or found ineligible solely on the basis of type of disability.

   2. (3)

      1. (A) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will provide outreach to underrepresented and underserved individuals in seeking referrals from nonprofit and for-profit agencies serving minorities, owned or controlled by minorities, and medical professionals who serve the minority community.
      2. (B) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services does not impose a residence duration requirement.
      3. (C) 29 U.S.C § 19(b.) §361.42(C).

3. (b) Legal and illegal immigrants.

   1. (1) Illegal immigrants (individuals in the United States without legal status) are not eligible for VR services.
   2. (2) Legal immigrants are individuals admitted to this country for the purpose of permanent residence.
   3. (3) Immigrant aliens must possess a valid registration card issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services before they can be determined eligible for VR services.

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Nonimmigrant aliens are individuals admitted to this country for a particular purpose and time period, and are expected to return to their home country upon completion of the specified purpose or time period.

      2. (B) This group includes:

         1. (i) Visitors for business or pleasure;
         2. (ii) Crew of vessels or aircraft;
         3. (iii) Representatives of international organizations;
         4. (iv) Ambassadors, public ministers, and career diplomatic or consular officers; and
         5. (v)
4. (a) (a) Students pursuing a course of study.

5. (b) (b) Most common visas: “FI” and “JI”.

   1. (c) (c) No work authorized except work related to the applicant’s academic program.

   2. (5)

      1. (A) The immigrant applicant must be available to complete the IPE, which includes suitable employment in the United States.
      2. (B) When completion cannot be expected, the applicant is not eligible for services.

   3. (6)

      1. (A) To determine whether services can be provided, request alien status evidence (usually a temporary residence card, federal Form I-94).
      2. (B) Note whether work is permitted under the visa.

   4. (7)

      1. (A) Immigrants who are part of the amnesty program receive a letter stating that they are not eligible for federal financial assistance.

      2. (B) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services programs are not considered federal financial assistance, so services may be provided if the individual is otherwise eligible.

         1. (c)
   5. (1) Status 00 is used when an individual has been referred to VR and the minimum information has been obtained.
   6. (2) The individual has not actually requested services in this status.

   7. (3) No money may be spent in this status.

      1. (d) Procedures — Referral (Status 00).
   8. (1) Referral sources will be cultivated and considered partners in our communities.
   9. (2) A referral will be keyed into the case management system using the demographics and referral specifics forms, which moves a client into a program of Status 00.

   10. (3) The counselor will create a Status 00 ECF that includes:

       1. (A) All information received;
       2. (B) The case management system printout; and
       3. (C) Case note of action taken.

   11. (4)

       1. (A) The counselor will attach into the system all information received at the time of receipt that is deemed pertinent to initiating the case.
       2. (B) The counselor will create a case note of action taken within the case management system.
   12. (5) Within thirty (30) (from VR Management Review Form) days, the individual will be contacted and provided directions and information to prepare the individual to consider making an application.

   13. (6) To expedite the application process, the individual will be:

       1. (A) Provided a client handbook; and
       2. (B) Instructed to gather current information (medical, psychological, educational, vocational, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance, and insurance verification).

   14. (7)

       1. (A) Verification of alien status.
       2. (B) See subsection (b) of this section, legal and illegal immigrants, above.

   15. (8) The individual will be given:

       1. (A) An appointment and a contact person; or
       2. (B) Information to contact the agency for an appointment.
   16. (9) If the individual does not wish to receive VR services but needs word-related services, the counselor will provide information and referral sources using an appropriate means of communication.
   17. (10) Document in the case note the specific action taken.

   18. (11) Note.

       1. (A) If an individual with a primary disability of blindness or visual impairment is referred for services, the individual will be referred to the Division of State Services for the Blind.
       2. (B) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services may serve individuals with blindness or visual impairment as a secondary disability.

   19. (12) Note — Cases reported/referred by the state office/Governor’s office/legislators.

       1. (A) The counselor will immediately (or no more than three (3) working days) report findings and opinions to the manager, who will report to the Chief of Field Services.
       2. (B) This response will be in writing.

Codification Notes: “ECF” means electronic case file. "IPE" means individualized plan for employment. "VR" means vocational rehabilitation.