1. (a) DRS initiates and continuously develops an individualized plan for employment for each individual eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and for each individual being provided such services in extended evaluation.
2. (b) The counselor and consumer or, as appropriate, the consumer's parent, guardian, or other representative uses information obtained during the assessment to help the consumer make informed choices about vocational rehabilitation needs, employment goal, intermediate rehabilitation objectives, and the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services and the service providers to be included in the IPE.
3. (c) The consumer may develop all or part of the IPE with or without assistance from a DRS counselor, a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor not employed by DRS, or another resource outside DRS. DRS does not pay for non-DRS assistance with IPE development. The IPE is not final until approved by the DRS counselor. A copy of the plan and any amendments are provided to the consumer or, as appropriate, the consumer's parent, guardian, or other representative.
4. (d) In developing an IPE for a student with a disability who is receiving special education services, DRS must consider the student's individualized education program.
5. (e) The counselor must advise the consumer of the consumer's rights and the means by which the consumer may express and seek remedy for dissatisfaction with the plan, including the opportunity for an administrative review of DRS action and a fair hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 2001, and the rules in Chapter 101 of this title (relating to Administrative Rules and Procedures).
6. (f) The counselor reviews the IPE as often as necessary, but at least on an annual basis, at which time the consumer, or as appropriate, the consumer's parent, guardian, or other representative, is afforded an opportunity to review the plan and, if necessary, jointly redevelop its terms.
7. (g) The IPE is a joint commitment that must be signed by both the counselor and the consumer.
8. (h) DRS may provide only goods and services that can reasonably be expected to benefit a person with a disability in terms of employment.

Source Note:The provisions of this §856.52 adopted to be effective December 10, 2012, 37 TexReg 9651; duplicated effective September 1, 2016, as published in the Texas Register September 2, 2016, 41 TexReg 6773.