1. (a)

   1. (1) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will conduct a thorough assessment for determining VR needs for each eligible individual.

   2. (2) The purpose of this assessment is to determine the:

      1. (A) Specific employment outcome;
      2. (B) Criteria for evaluation of progress toward an employment outcome; and
      3. (C) Nature and scope of VR services to be included in the individualized plan for employment (IPE).

   3. (3) The term “employment outcome” means with respect to the individual:

      1. (A) Entering or retaining full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market; or
      2. (B) Satisfying the vocational outcome that is determined appropriate, including:

2. (i) Self-employment;

   1. (ii) Telecommuting; or

      1. (iii) Business ownership.

3. (b)

   1. (1) The IPE may be developed jointly between the counselor and the individual, or the individual may develop all or part of the plan independently or with technical assistance from another source.
   2. (2) The completed plan must be approved and signed by the counselor and the individual or, if appropriate, the individual’s representative, within the framework of a counseling and guidance relationship.

   3. (3) Assistance in completing the IPE form, if requested by the consumer, will be provided.

      1. (c)

   4. (1) The IPE must be designed to achieve the specific employment outcome, which is chosen by the individual consistent with the individual’s unique:

      1. (A) Strengths;
      2. (B) Resources;
      3. (C) Priorities;
      4. (D) Concerns;
      5. (E) Abilities;
      6. (F) Capabilities;
      7. (G) Career interest; and
      8. (H) Informed choice.
   5. (2) The documentation should show that there is adequate labor market demand to support the employment outcome.
   6. (3) If relocation would be required, the individual must agree to relocate to an area with sufficient labor market demand for the chosen employment outcome prior to the signature and initiation of the IPE.

   7. (4) The individual should acknowledge that they are familiar with the entry-level wages that are common in the chosen vocation.

      1. (d)
   8. (1) For supported employment services, an employment outcome should include a description of the extended services needed and the source of extended services.
   9. (2) If it is not possible to identify the source of extended services at the time the IPE is developed, a statement must be included explaining the reasonable expectation that extended services will become available prior to closure.
4. (e) The IPE for each eligible individual should be developed as soon as possible, but no later than ninety (90) days following determination of eligibility, unless the VR counselor and the individual agree to a specific extension of time.
5. (f) The ninety-day time period for IPE development begins once the counselor has deemed the client eligible for services and completed the certificate of eligibility.

6. (g) Note.

   1. (1) If circumstances preclude developing an IPE that addresses the mandatory components within ninety (90) days, the counselor and individual must agree to a specific extension of time (34 C.F.R. § 361.45).
   2. (2) In this instance the counselor should complete a case note labeled “IPE Extension”.

   3. (3) The case note should reflect the:

      1. (A) Dates (timeframe) of the extension; and
      2. (B) Specific reasons for the need for an extension.

7. (h)

   1. (1) The IPE is amended each time a substantial change or annual/periodic review is made in the individual’s rehabilitation program.

   2. (2) A substantial change could include:

      1. (A) A vocational goal change that may require a change in the evaluation criteria (intermediate objective);
      2. (B) Deletion or addition of services;
      3. (C) The cost of services;
      4. (D) Termination of the cost; or
      5. (E) Periodic or annual review of the case.

   3. (3) A copy of all amendments will be provided to the individual.

      1. (i) Counselor’s role:
   4. (1) Provide information, tools, and resources to encourage decision-making skills;
   5. (2) Facilitate the decision-making process;
   6. (3) Support decision implementation; and
   7. (4) Provide the consumer with information about the parameters, which may affect the range of available career goals or service options.

8. (j)

   1. (1) The mandatory components that the IPE must contain are based on 34 C.F.R. §§ 361.45 and 361.46.
   2. (2) See 20 CAR § 835-402, procedures — individualized plan for employment (IPE).

9. (k) The services, service providers, and all activities selected by the individual must be necessary to meet the employment outcome goal.

   1. (l) The individual or representative must:
   2. (1) Sign and date the IPE; and

   3. (2) Be given a copy of the IPE.

      1. (m)
   4. (1) Annually, the counselor and the individual must review the rehabilitation plan to assess the individual's progress toward an employment outcome.
   5. (2) The IPE amendment is completed as appropriate to document the annual review in the ECF.

10. (n)

    1. (1) The IPE can be amended at any time utilizing informed choice.
    2. (2) IPE amendment does not take effect until agreed to and signed by the counselor and individual or representative.

Codification Notes: “ECF” means electronic case file. "VR" means vocational rehabilitation.