1. A. Development of the IPE.

   1. 1. VR shall inform the VR Client that the IPE may be developed on the VR Client’s own or with support and assistance from one or more of the following:

      1. a. A VR counselor employed by VR;
      2. b. A VR counselor not employed by VR;
      3. c. A disability advocacy organization; or
      4. d. A Family Member, advocate, Authorized Representative, or other individual.
   2. 2. The IPE is developed, to the extent possible, using data from the Assessment or data gathered from additional Assessment activities when additional data is necessary to establish the VR Client’s Employment Outcome and nature and scope of VR services to be included in the IPE.
   3. 3. The final IPE shall be prepared on RSA-approved forms and submitted to appropriate VR Staff for review and approval prior to the provision of services identified on the IPE.

2. B. Approval of the IPE.

   1. 1. VR, through the review of original documents, shall verify that a VR Client is legally eligible to work in the United States, under the requirements of Employment Eligibility Verification set forth by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, prior to approving an IPE. If VR is unable to verify that the VR Client is legally eligible to work in the United States, VR shall provide a written notice to the VR Client stating that the VR Client’s case is being closed, the reason for the case closure, and how the VR Client may request an Appeal.

   2. 2. VR shall review the IPE and verify:

      1. a. The chosen Employment Outcome is consistent with the information and results of the Assessment;
      2. b. The chosen Employment Outcome does not violate federal or state law;
      3. c. The services identified on the IPE are necessary for the VR Client to obtain the specific Employment Outcome; and
      4. d. All required elements of the IPE are complete.
   3. 3. An IPE is approved and VR services may be implemented when the IPE is signed by the VR Client.

   4. 4. VR shall implement an IPE as required under 34 CFR 361.45 and 361.46:

      1. a. Within 90 calendar days from the date of eligibility determination for each VR Client who is not on a waitlist for VR services; or
      2. b. Within 90 calendar days after the date that the VR releases the VR Client from the waitlist unless a specific extension of time has been agreed upon by appropriate VR Staff and the VR Client.

3. C. Review and amendment of the IPE.

   1. 1. VR and a VR Client shall review the IPE at least annually from the time the IPE is approved to assess the VR Client’s progress in achieving the established milestones, timelines, and specific Employment Outcome identified in the IPE.
   2. 2. As described i the VR Client’s IPE, a VR Client shall maintain contact with VR as requested by VR Staff, actively participate in VR, and meet intermediate objectives outlined in the IPE necessary toward achieving the specific Employment Outcome identified in the IPE to continue receiving VR services.
   3. 3. VR and a VR Client shall attempt to address any barrier to the VR Client’s progress in achieving the intermediate objectives outlined in the IPE and specific Employment Outcome identified in the IPE prior to amending the IPE or interrupting provision of VR services.
   4. 4. If a barrier to progress in achieving the intermediate objectives outlined in the IPE and specific Employment Outcome identified in the IPE cannot be resolved by VR or the VR Client, VR services may be interrupted until the barrier is resolved to the satisfaction of VR. If VR services are interrupted by VR, the VR Client may Appeal the interruption of VR services.
   5. 5. If VR services are interrupted and the VR Client submits an Appeal regarding the interruption of VR services, VR shall continue provision of VR services as identified in the current and approved IPE until the Appeal is resolved under R6-4-209 and R6-4-210.
   6. 6. A VR Client and VR shall amend the IPE as necessary and appropriate when there are changes to the VR Client agreed upon Employment Outcome, VR services to be provided, or service providers.
   7. 7. Amendments to an IPE and the provision of new VR services shall not take effect until agreed upon and signed by both the VR Client and appropriate VR Staff.

Historical Note

Adopted effective June 14, 1977 (Supp. 77-3). Section amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 3921 (October 3, 2025), effective November 2, 2025 (Supp. 25-3).