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power Oklahomans with Disabilities
Commission for Rehabilitation Services
Commiss ioners Emi ly Cheng, Apr i l Danahy and Jack Tucker
Regular Meeting
March 12, 2018
Department of Rehabilitation Services 3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Empower Oklahomans with Disabilities
State Of Oklahoma Commission for Rehabilitation Services
3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 200 Monday, March 12, 2018, 10:30 am
Regular Meeting April Danahy – Commission Chair Emily Cheng – Commission Vice-Chair Jack Tucker – Commission Member
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Commission Chair
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Meeting Act
Commission Assistant
3. Introduction of Guests
Commission Chair
4. Public Comments
Public Audience
REPORTS PAGE #
5. Director’s report with possible Commission discussion. The report includes Order of Selection update; Executive Strategic coordination; updates on agency divisions; and agency or cross-agency or community partnerships.
Noel Tyler, Director 5
6. Financial Status FY18 reports as of January 31, 2018 with possible Commission discussion.
Kevin Statham, 11 Chief Financial Officer
7. Personnel Activity report as of February 23, 2018. The Activity report has current FTE status.
Tom Patt, 19 Human Resources Programs Director
8.
Legislature Report with possible Commission discussion. The report includes recent budget information; and legislation requested by DRS.
Kevin Nelson, 25 Legislative Liaison
ACTION ITEMS
9.
Review and Discussion with possible vote to approve the Proposed Administrative Rule and Internal Policy changes.
612:1-5-2. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) [AMENDED] 612:1-5-3. Division of Visual Services (DVS) [AMENDED]
Tina Calloway, 32 Process Improvement Team
page 1
612:1-7-3. Relationships with state boards: ex officio representation from the Department [AMENDED] 612:1-7-4. Relationships with federal officials [AMENDED] 612:3-3-20. Department of Rehabilitation Services recruitment and selection plan [AMENDED] 612:10-1-2. Definitions [AMENDED] 612:10-3-5. Basic living requirements [AMENDED] 612:10-7-24.3. Trial Work Experience and Extended Evaluation [AMENDED] 612:10-7-24.5. Closed – Not Accepted for Services [AMENDED] 612:10-7-25.1. Order of selection [AMENDED] 612:10-7-45. Case statuses and case flow [AMENDED] 612:10-7-58. Closed Rehabilitated [AMENDED] 612:10-7-201. Rehabilitation teaching services [AMENDED] 612:10-9-1. Philosophy and scope of program [AMENDED] 612:10-9-2. Consumer rights [AMENDED] 612:10-9-3. Rehabilitation teacher’s role [AMENDED] 612:10-9-13. Case recording [AMENDED] 612:10-9-15. Case status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-17. Application Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-18. Closure from Application [REVOKED] 612:10-9-19. Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-20. Service Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-21. Successful Closure [ REVOKED] 612:10-9-22. Unsuccessful Closure after IPE Initiation [REVOKED] 612:10-9-24. Closed from Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-25. Post-Employment Service Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-26. Post-Employment Closure Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-33. Communication Skills [AMENDED] 612:10-9-34. Personal management skills [AMENDED] 612:10-9-34.2. Indoor mobility Mobility within home environment [AMENDED]
page 2
10.
11. 12. 13.
612:10-9-34.3. Other adaptive skills [REVOKED] 612:10-9-35. Home management [AMENDED] 612:10-9-37. Referral for support services [AMENDED] 612:10-9-38. Vocational rehabilitation [AMENDED]
612:10-13-16. Evaluation [AMENDED] 612:10-13-17. Evaluation team [AMENDED] 612: 10-13-18. Fees [AMENDED] 612:10-13-20. Certification maintenance [AMENDED] DRS: 3-3-27. Department of Rehabilitation Services promotional plan [AMENDED]
Review and discussion with possible vote to approve the February 12, 2018 Commission for Rehabilitation Services regular meeting minutes. Review and discussion with possible vote for approval of the February, 2018 donations to the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Review and discussion with possible vote for approval of the February, 2018 donations to the Oklahoma School for the Blind. Review and discussion with possible vote for approval of the February, 2018 donations to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf.
Commission Chair 96
Kevin Treese, 100 Program Manager Rita Echelle, 102 Superintendent Larry Hawkins, 104 Superintendent
14. New Business (“Any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting.” 25 O.S. § 311)
Commission Chair
15. Announcements Date and location of next regular meeting of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services: Monday, April 9, 2018 at 10:30 am. Oklahoma School for the Blind 3300 Gibson Street Muskogee, OK 74403
Commission Chair
16. Adjournment Commission Chair
page 3
page 4
ReporttoOKDRSCommission
1 | P a g e
March 12, 2018 OKDRS Regular Commission Meeting Submitted by Noel Tyler, OKDRS Director
Order of Selection Update As of Thursday, March 1, 2018 Priority Group 1 610 Priority Group 2 2,741 Priority Group 3 303 Grand Total 3,654 Executive – Strategic Coordination Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) • Stephen A. Wooderson, CSAVR CEO, John Connelly, Director,
Research and Grants and Theresa Hamrick, Operations Coordinator will be coming to Oklahoma on Tuesday, April 3rd and Wednesday, April 4th. The April 3rd meeting is an opportunity for DRS leadership team to hear about CSAVR Vision 2020 and have an open dialogue with CSAVR Executives. The April 4th date is when the CSAVR staff will facilitate a partners’ roundtable discussion in open forum style in order to obtain input, feedback, and perspective on disability employment policy and practice. In addition, the discussion will address how our partnerships in Oklahoma invests in and leads to systemic transformational change as the public VR program moves into its second century of providing employment services to individuals with disabilities.
Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) WIOA Performance Accountability Rachel Anderson, TA and Training Manager, Betsy Hopkins, TA and
Training Manager and Christa Nieminen, Content Manager/Editor came to Oklahoma on February 13th and 14th to provide training and technical assistance to VR/VS professional staff regarding the integration vision and the performance accountability system authorized under WIOA. We are currently collecting baseline data for
page 5
ReporttoOKDRSCommission
2 | P a g e
6 performance indicators used by all WIOA core partners, which will be used in target negotiations for measuring the success of the VR program under WIOA. The WINTAC provided training related to the new performance indicators, discussed client scenarios, identified areas needing training and policy development, as well as assistance from both a compliance and a ‘next steps’ perspective. Resources and examples of future TA were provided to OK DRS for future assistance from the WINTAC. WINTAC is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide this type of training and technical assistance (TA) to State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) and related agencies, rehabilitation professionals and service providers to help them develop the skills and processes needed to meet the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
General Workforce Information: The workforce system partners statewide signed the Infrastructure
Funding Agreements for each local area. Access for All (physical accessibility) remains a major compliance component of DRS co-locating or directly linking within the comprehensive centers.
The Oklahoma Unified State Plan will be finalized into the federal
portal system on March 15.
Process Improvement (PI) AWARE
• The AWARE team worked on the quarterly 911 report, identifying and correcting errors; developed a comprehensive set of instructions for distribution to field to insure compliance with documenting Credential Attainment and Skill Gains; setting up a new Case type in AWARE for Independent Living Services to allow us to provide limited IL service, on a limited basis. The team has been building a collection of reports for managers using the data from the case reviews now being collected inside AWARE using the new QA Tool that has been in use since October 2017. The team is developing
page 6
ReporttoOKDRSCommission
3 | P a g e
strategies to insure managers get their reports in the most efficient and accessible way possible.
Access for All
Research Activities
• The annual conference of the Accessibility Professionals Association (APA) which is composed of professionals focusing on accessibility in the built environment and its conferences and regional offerings provide training on accessibility standards and regulations. The APA is one of the few organizations whose primary focus is on physical accessibility. During the conference, Charlie Watt sit for an exam over the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and the 5 Titles of the ADA. He received the APA accredited ADA Specialist designation.
Program and Management Services
Disability Determination Service (DDS) The DDS continues with the lowest processing time in the Dallas
Region as well as the second highest presumptive disability rate in the Region. The staff at DDS are getting benefits into the hands of disabled citizens at the earliest point possible.
Four DDS managers attended a Workload and Leadership
Workshop at SSA’s Dallas Regional office in February. This workshop improves a broader understanding of the SSA disability program and develops strategies to address inter-component challenges.
The second Leadership Development program is underway at DDS
under the guidance of Nancy Hurst and her team. This program is going well with good feedback and interaction. The group is divided up into teams with each developing a project that can improve processes, service, etc.
page 7
ReporttoOKDRSCommission
4 | P a g e
The DDS hosts the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) twice per year. OBI was most recently onsite in January at which time 35 DDS employees volunteered to give blood.
Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB) On February 8th, OSB received its accreditation from the Oklahoma
State Department of Education with no deficiencies.
February 14th, OSB hosted the Eastern Oklahoma School Psychologists Meeting. Andrea Kunkel from CCOSA was in attendance and answered pertinent legal questions.
Braille Challenge was held on February 22nd. Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) Feb. 14th-OSD Youth Leadership Murray County members gave a
tour to all other Youth Leadership Murray County members. Feb. 14-Key Club delivered donations to Pet Angel’s Rescue in
Guthrie. Feb. 15-18- Academic team went to Iowa to participate in the
Gallaudet Regionals. ASL I & II classes began Feb. 20, and will be offered every Tuesday
through April 17.
Feb 26 ASL III was taught on campus for the first time, and will be offered every Monday through April 16. This is the first time ASL III classes have been offered to the community.
March 1-USAO toured campus. March 2-The students celebrated the 114th Birthday of Theodor
Geisel, Dr. Seuss.
page 8
ReporttoOKDRSCommission
5 | P a g e
March 7-ASL celebration. The ASL Celebration featured Calvin Young, a Deaf world traveler. His goal is to spread awareness about the global Deaf community and to let Deaf people know that they can do anything as long as they have immeasurable faith in themselves.
March 8-Autism training for all teachers. March 10 & 11- ASL weekend was a collaborative program
conducted by the American Society for Deaf Children and OSD to increase ASL proficiency and increase understanding of Deaf Culture for parents and professionals.
Management Service (MS) Carolyn Pendarvis of the Property Management section has been
very busy this past month. The Durant and Ponca City offices have been relocated. She has also been working closely with the DRS WIOA team on the comprehensive center’s requirements.
IT:
Jonathan Woodward and his team consisting of William Martin, Travis Saunders and Darron Bruner have also been implemental in the Durant and Ponca City relocations. Jonathan has also been planning on the relocation of the DRS data center located in Edmond to the OMES data center on North Lincoln in OKC.
Agency or Cross-Agency or Community Partnerships
1. Self-Advocacy Leadership 2. WINTAC Common Performance Measures 3. ORC Quarterly Meeting 4. OPSR Board 5. State Innovation Waiver: Operational Committee 6. Oklahoma Family Network Joining Forces Conference 7. United We Ride 8. Local Workforce Development Board
page 9
page 10
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page 11
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2 of
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page 12
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page 13
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page 14
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5 of
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page 15
Dep
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up
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rt S
ervi
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6 of
7
page 16
Dep
artm
ent
of
Reh
abili
tati
on
Ser
vice
sF
inan
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Sta
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Rep
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FY
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As
of
Jan
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8
Per
son
nel
Sal
ary
Exp
ense
Insu
ran
ce P
rem
ium
-H
ealt
h-L
ife,
etc
FIC
A-R
etir
emen
t C
on
trib
uti
on
s
Tra
vel
Tra
vel -
Ag
ency
Dir
ect
Tra
vel -
Rei
mb
urs
emen
ts
Gen
eral
Op
erat
ing
AF
P E
ncu
mb
eran
ces
Bo
nd
Ind
ebtn
ess
and
Exp
ense
s
Bu
ildin
gs-
Pu
rch
ase,
Co
nst
ruct
ion
an
d R
eno
vati
on
Gen
eral
Op
erat
ing
Inte
r/In
tre
Ag
ency
Pay
men
t fo
r P
erso
nal
Ser
vice
s
Mai
nte
nan
ce &
Rep
air
Mis
cell
aneo
us
Ad
min
istr
atio
n F
ee
Pro
fess
ion
al S
ervi
ces
Pro
du
ctio
n, S
afet
y, S
ecu
rity
Ref
un
ds,
Ind
emn
itie
s, R
esti
tuti
on
Ren
t E
xpen
se
Sch
ola
rsh
ips,
Tu
itio
n a
nd
Oth
er In
cen
tive
-Typ
e P
aym
ents
Sh
op
Exp
ense
Sp
ecia
lized
Su
pp
lies
& M
ater
ials
Off
ice
Fu
rnit
ure
& E
qu
ipm
ent
Lib
rary
Eq
uip
men
t &
Res
ou
rces
Off
ice
Fu
rnit
ure
& E
qu
ipm
ent
Clie
nt
/ Gen
eral
Ass
ista
nce
So
cial
Ser
vice
an
d A
ssis
tan
ce P
aym
ents
Ind
irec
t C
ost
7 of
7
page 17
page 18
PE
RS
ON
NE
L A
CT
IVIT
Y R
EP
OR
T
AS
OF
FE
BR
UA
RY
23,
201
8
F
ILLE
D A
ND
VA
CA
NT
PO
SIT
ION
S
Per
sonn
el A
ctiv
ity =
4 v
acan
t pos
ition
s fil
led
/ 29
posi
tions
in A
nnou
ncem
ent o
r S
elec
tion
Pro
cess
Div
isio
n
Tit
le/P
IN
Dat
e V
acat
ed
Lo
cati
on
B
egin
d
ate
En
d d
ate
An
n.
# A
ctio
n/In
cum
ben
tD
ate
Fill
ed
FS
D
Acc
ount
ant I
V /
0013
5/
30/2
017
FS
D
1/26
/201
82/
8/20
1818
-107
App
list
sen
t 2/
12/2
018
M
SD
H
RM
Spe
cial
ist I
V /
0868
1/
16/2
018
MS
D –
HR
2/
13/2
018
3/5/
201
818
-113
Cur
rent
ly o
pen
DD
D
HR
M S
peci
alis
t III
/ 086
4, 0
996
8/3/
2015
8/
3/20
15D
DD
2/
13/2
018
2/21
/201
818
-114
Wai
ting
for
E-li
st
DD
D
Dis
abili
ty M
edic
al C
onsu
ltant
/ 14
51
3/22
/201
7D
DD
Jo
hn C
arey
2/
20/2
018
OS
B
Dire
ct C
are
Spe
cial
ist I
I /
0779
,079
5 9/
1/20
16
12/1
/201
6O
SB
1/
4/20
181/
17/2
018
18-0
97A
pp li
st s
ent
1/25
/201
8
OS
B
Sec
reta
ry I
/ 083
9 12
/29/
2017
OS
B
1/4/
2018
1/17
/201
818
-098
App
list
sen
t 1/
25/2
018
OS
D
Tea
cher
/ 00
22
4/24
/200
9O
SD
7/
20/2
017
Unt
il fil
led
18-0
06A
pp li
st s
ent
9/13
/201
7
OS
D
Con
stru
ctio
n/M
aint
enan
ce
Tec
hnic
ian
II / 0
245
10/2
/201
7O
SD
1/
16/2
018
1/29
/201
818
-104
App
list
sen
t 2/
15/2
018
OS
D
Dire
ct C
are
Spe
cial
ist I
I / 0
810
1/29
/201
8O
SD
1/
26/2
018
2/8/
2018
18-1
08A
pp li
st s
ent
2/12
/201
8
OS
D
Tea
cher
/ 05
61
1/16
/201
8O
SD
1/
26/2
018
Unt
il F
illed
18-1
09A
pp li
st s
ent
2/15
/201
8
page 19
Div
isio
n
Tit
le/P
IN
Dat
e V
acat
ed
Lo
cati
on
B
egin
dat
eE
nd
dat
eA
nn
#A
ctio
n/In
cum
ben
t D
ate
Fill
ed
VR
A
ssis
tive
Tec
hnol
ogy
Spe
cial
ist I
V /
0568
7/
31/2
017
TB
D
8/14
/201
79/
5/20
1718
-026
App
list
sen
t 9/
11/2
017
VR
A
ssis
tive
Tec
hnol
ogy
Spe
cial
ist I
V /
1197
7/
28/2
017
VR
36 –
OK
C
8/21
/201
79/
11/2
017
18-0
37A
pp li
st s
ent
9/15
/201
7
VR
A
ssis
tive
tech
nolo
gy
Spe
cial
ist I
V /
0263
2/
28/2
017
VR
– T
BD
11
/7/2
017
11/2
1/20
1718
-07
6A
pp li
st s
ent
11/3
0/20
17
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 00
16
12/1
/201
6V
R23
– O
KC
11
/15/
2017
11/2
8/20
1718
-081
App
list
sen
t 11
/30/
2017
VR
T
rans
ition
Coo
rdin
ator
/ 11
51
10/6
/201
7V
R –
TB
D
11/1
5/20
1711
/27/
2017
18-0
83R
enee
San
som
2/
5/20
18
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t III
/ 084
6 10
/18/
2017
VR
22 –
Nor
man
11
/17/
2017
11/3
0/20
1718
-086
App
list
sen
t 12
/7/2
017
VR
C
onst
ruct
ion/
Mai
nten
ance
T
echn
icia
n III
/ 10
67
10/1
/201
7V
R23
– O
KC
11
/17/
2017
11/3
0/20
171
8-08
7A
pp li
st s
ent
12/1
2/20
17
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t III
/ 094
7 4/
30/2
017
VR
67 –
Tul
sa
12/1
8/20
171/
2/2
018
18-0
90A
pp li
st s
ent
1/5/
2018
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 00
73
1/18
/201
7V
R13
– M
cAle
ster
12
/15/
2017
1/4/
2018
18-0
91A
pp li
st s
ent
1/12
/201
8
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t II /
004
9 5/
31/2
017
VR
80 –
Tul
sa
12/1
5/20
1712
/28/
2017
18-0
92A
pp li
st s
ent
1/4/
2018
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 00
21
10/1
3/20
17V
R67
– T
ulsa
12
/22/
2017
1/5/
2018
18-0
94V
alyn
cia
Wils
on
2/7/
2018
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 11
90
12/2
9/20
17V
R08
– E
nid
1/9/
2018
1/29
/201
818
-101
App
list
sen
t 2/
12/2
018
VR
A
dmin
istr
ativ
e A
ssis
tant
II /
0097
2/
3/20
17T
BD
1/
26/2
018
2/8/
2018
18-1
05A
pp li
st s
ent
2/12
/201
8
VR
P
rogr
ams
Fie
ld
Rep
rese
ntat
ive
I / 0
575
11/8
/201
7V
R67
– T
ulsa
1/
26/2
018
2/8/
2018
18-1
06A
pp li
st s
ent
2/12
/201
8
VR
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 03
91
11/1
7/20
17V
R13
– M
cAle
ster
2/
5/20
182
/20/
2018
18-1
12W
aitin
g fo
r E
-list
page 20
Div
isio
n
Tit
le/P
IN
Dat
e V
acat
ed
Lo
cati
on
B
egin
D
ate
En
d D
ate
An
n.
# A
ctio
n/In
cum
ben
t D
ate
Fill
ed
VS
R
ehab
ilita
tion
of th
e B
lind
Spe
cial
ist I
II / 0
930
6/30
/201
7 V
S90
– O
KC
9/
25/2
017
10/9
/201
7 18
-052
A
pp li
st s
ent
10/1
7/20
17
VS
V
endi
ng M
achi
ne
Tec
hnic
ian
I / 1
075
1/1/
2017
V
S33
– O
KC
11
/13/
2017
11
/27/
2017
18-0
79
App
list
sen
t 11
/30/
2017
VS
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 07
09
10/3
1/20
17V
S84
– M
cAle
ster
1/
4/20
18
1/10
/201
8 18
-099
S
tacy
LaM
otta
2/
20/2
018
VS
R
ehab
ilita
tion
Tec
hnic
ian
III /
0123
12
/19/
2017
VS
84 –
McA
lest
er
1/9/
2018
1/
18/2
018
18-1
00
App
list
sen
t 1/
25/2
018
VS
R
ehab
ilita
tion
of th
e B
lind
Spe
cial
ist I
V /
0582
12
/23/
2016
VS
91 –
Tul
sa
1/26
/201
8 2/
22/2
018
18
-110
W
aitin
g fo
r E
-list
VS
V
R S
peci
alis
t IV
/ 07
97
10/1
/201
7 V
S85
– C
hick
asha
2/
5/20
18
2/9/
2018
18
-111
A
pp li
st s
ent
2/20
/201
8
NO
TE
: W
aitin
g fo
r H
CM
-9 =
Wai
ting
for
HC
M to
ret
urn
HC
M-9
’s to
info
rm if
app
lican
t mee
ts m
inim
um q
ualif
icat
ions
for
posi
tion.
Wai
ting
for
E-L
ist =
Wai
ting
to r
ecei
ve e
lect
roni
c ap
plic
ant l
og fr
om H
CM
. P
endi
ng A
ppro
val=
Wai
ting
for
uncl
assi
fied
appo
intm
ents
to b
e ap
prov
ed b
y di
rect
or a
nd c
abin
et s
ecre
tary
to
esta
blis
h an
effe
ctiv
e da
te
page 21
RES
IGN
ATIO
NS/
RET
IREM
ENTS
/SEP
ARAT
ION
S =
8
SU
PPOR
T SE
RVIC
ES D
IVIS
ION
(Exe
cutiv
e/M
SD/F
SD)
Res
igne
d =
1
1 =
8 y
ears
9 m
onth
s D
IVIS
ION
OF
VOCA
TION
AL R
EHAB
ILIT
ATIO
N
Res
igne
d =
2
1 =
9 y
ears
6 m
onth
s 1
= 2
mon
ths
VISU
AL S
ERVI
CES
DIV
ISIO
N
Ret
ired
= 1
1
= 2
1 y
ears
7 m
onth
s OK
LAH
OMA
SCH
OOL
FOR
THE
BLIN
D
NO
NE
OKLA
HOM
A SC
HOO
L FO
R TH
E D
EAF
Ret
ired
= 1
1
=2
1 y
ears
7 m
onth
s D
ISAB
ILIT
Y D
ETER
MIN
ATIO
N D
IVIS
ION
R
esig
ned
= 3
1
= 4
yea
rs 5
mon
ths
1 =
13
yea
rs 7
mon
ths
1 =
17
yea
rs 4
mon
ths
page 22
CU
RR
EN
T F
TE
ST
AT
US
F
Y 2
018
F
TE
as
of F
ebru
ary
23, 2
018
D
IVIS
ION
B
UD
GE
TE
D F
TE
F
ILL
ED
P
EN
DIN
G
E
XE
MP
T
FT
E
TO
TA
L F
ILL
ED
PL
US
PE
ND
ING
M
INU
S E
XE
MP
T F
TE
Sup
port
Ser
vice
s (E
xecu
tive/
MS
D/F
SD
) 75
.70
65.0
02.
00(1
.00)
66
.00
Voc
atio
nal R
ehab
ilita
tion
24
4.00
223.
0013
.00
(8.0
0)22
8.00
Vis
ual S
ervi
ces
121.
6010
7.00
5.00
(1.0
0)11
1.00
VR
/VS
-DP
2.
002.
000.
00(0
.00)
2.00
Okl
ahom
a S
choo
l for
the
Blin
d 90
.50
84.0
03.
000.
00
87.0
0
Okl
ahom
a S
choo
l for
the
Dea
f 12
0.00
107.
004.
000.
00
111.
00
Tot
al (
NO
N-E
XE
MP
T)
653.
8058
8.00
27.0
0(1
0.00
)60
5.00
Dis
abili
ty D
eter
min
atio
n D
ivis
ion
(EX
EM
PT
) 38
3.10
311.
502.
000.
00
313.
50
TO
TA
L N
ON
-EX
EM
PT
& E
XE
MP
T
1036
.90
899.
5029
.00
(10.
00)
918.
50
FY
18
Bud
geta
ry F
TE
Lim
it =
125
5
* A
uth
ori
zed
ag
ency
FT
E li
mit
do
es n
ot
incl
ud
e E
xecu
tive
Fel
low
an
d S
WIP
ap
po
intm
ents
R
OU
TIN
G T
O:
Noe
l Tyl
er, D
irect
or
Mel
inda
Fru
endt
, Chi
ef o
f Sta
ff
K
evin
Sta
tham
, Chi
ef F
inan
cial
Offi
cer
Ran
dy W
eave
r, D
ivis
ion
Adm
inis
trat
or
Tom
Pat
t, H
uman
Res
ourc
es
Pro
gram
Dire
ctor
D
ana
Tal
lon,
Pub
lic In
form
atio
n M
anag
er II
Car
ol B
row
n, E
xecu
tive
Ass
ista
nt
R
osem
arie
Chi
twoo
d, S
ecre
tary
V
page 23
page 24
March Legislative Report
Budget:
Lawmakers turned to re‐balancing the budget after the House was unable to
approve the step‐up Oklahoma plan or any other significant revenue‐raising
measures. To fill a $44 million budget hole at DHS, Mental Health, and the Health
Care Authority in the fiscal year 2018 budget, the legislature passed and the
Governor signed HB1020XX, the new general appropriations bill applying a 0.66
percent annualized cut across‐the‐board. For DRS this meant a cut of $189,506.
The legislature will now focus on next year’s budget. There is discussion on the
senate side about 51 vote revenue measures but not much discussion of revenue
measures yet on the house side.
Legislation:
The deadline for getting bills out of committee of March 1st has passed and a a
number of bills have dropped off our watch list. For DRS, SB 1054 (exempting DRS
from liability for the actions of the blind vendors in its BEP program) passed out of
Senate Judiciary committee and is on its way to the floor. However, SB1099
(adding the deaf services fee to cell phones) passed the Senate Business and
Commerce committee, but failed to get a hearing in Senate Appropriations and
Budget due to cancelled committee meetings resulting from the recent Legislature’s
snow days.
We added a few bills affecting DRS to our watch list. The budget bill discussed
above, HB1020XX; and HB1244, by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, creates the Jeri
Cooper Act. It requires, subject to the availability of funds, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to: establish a program to broaden the availability of support service providers in the deaf-blind community through grants, which are capped at $300,000. This bill passed House Health and is on its way to the House floor.
The floor deadline is the 15th of this month.
page 25
Watch list
HB1020XX
HB1020XX, by Rep. Dennis Ray Casey, R-Morrison, Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, and Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter, modifies general appropriations for the FY2018 fiscal year. The bill implements 0.66 percent cuts across-the-board.
Status : Governor Action - Signed
Status Date : 02/27/2018
HB1027XX
HB1027XX, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, authorizes the governor to appoint the directors of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority and Department of Tourism and Recreation. It makes the governing boards for those agencies advisory boards to the directors. It establishes procedures for determining compensation according to statute.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/12/2018
HB1028XX
HB1028XX, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, requires the salary of agency executive directors to be set by the appointing authority. It prohibits the Office of Management and Enterprise Services from processing payroll in excess of the salary limits recommended in the annual compensation reports.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/08/2018
HB1030XX
HB1030XX, by Rep. Dennis Ray Casey, R-Morrison, Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, and Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter, provides a $5,000 teacher pay raise. The bill establishes eligibility requirements. It requires a school district to provide written notification to a teacher prior to his or her employment, or if already employed by the district, no later than 30 days prior to the date the district elects to provide retirement benefits such that the teacher's salary would be less than the minimum salary schedule. It makes implementation contingent on the passage of HB1033XX.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/08/2018
page 26
HB1244 HB1244, by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, creates the Jeri Cooper Act. It requires, subject to the availability of funds, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to: establish a program to broaden the availability of support service providers in the deaf-blind community; develop a mission statement for said program and promulgate rules necessary for its implementation; provide grants to providers and organizations that offer services for said community; develop a certification requirement and training program for said providers and organizations; and use a request-for-proposal process to award grants, which are capped at $300,000. (Amended by House, Carryover Bill, Committee Substitute)
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/28/2018
HB2528 HB2528, by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, clarifies language related to appeals to the Merit Protection Commission. The bill requires any employee or former employee who has reported any violation of state or federal law, rule or policy, mismanagement, gross waste of public funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantive and specific danger to public health or safety have the right to file a civil action against the agency and individuals employed by or acting on behalf of the agency in the district court where the violation occurred for all damages suffered from a retaliatory discharge of employment or other adverse employment action taken against the employee in addition to other remedies provided by law. It requires the employee or former employee be entitled to recovery of costs and reasonable attorney fees for the successful prosecution of the action.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/12/2018
HB2911 HB2911, by Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, creates the Work-based Learning Program. It grants the Governor's Council on Workforce and Economic Development authority over the Program. It requires the Governor's Council to initiate and coordinate the program by creating partnerships with the State Department of Education, the State Regents for Higher Education, the State Department of Career and Technology Education and business entities throughout the state. It authorizes any established office of workforce development in this state shall to develop and maintain a work-based learning program within its jurisdiction to be focused on increasing the number of registered apprenticeships and internship programs in this state to at least an aggregate of 20,000 positions by the end
page 27
of 2020. It requires all partners participating in the Work-based Learning Program to provide their expertise, time and resources as deemed necessary to advance and sustain the work-based learning goals of Oklahoma Works, to assist with publishing an annual progress report showing each state agency's steps and accomplishments toward meeting statewide workforce goals and to network and coordinate with other public and private entities in an effort to align all state agencies, boards and commissions and the private business sector in meeting Oklahoma Works goals. It establishes components of the program. The bill requires every work-based learning program not registered with the United States Department of Labor to register with the Office of the Secretary of State by filing a certificate each year that confirms the business is an active participant in the program. The bill requires the certificate include the address of the principal place of business and require the payment of an annualfiling fee of $25 payable to the Secretary of State. The bill establishes filing requirements. It directs the Secretary of State to deposit the funds in its revolving fund and to expend up to $500,000 support the administration of the program and the business registration and certification process. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/26/2018
HB3092 HB3092, by Rep. Josh Cockroft, R-Tecumseh, creates the Office of Accountability Act of 2018. It creates the Office of Accountability within the Legislative Services Bureau. It states the purpose of the office is to assist the Legislature in performing its constitutional and statutory function of ensuring government funds are expended in a fiscally responsible manner. The bill provides the Office of Accountability will be made up of 15 staff members appointed by a mutual agreement between the House Speaker and the Senate President Pro Tempore. The bill establishes the office's duties. The bill requires compensation for the staff will be set by a mutual agreement between the House Speaker and President Pro Tempore. The bill requires agencies, boards and commissions to comply with requests from the Office of Accountability. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/26/2018
HB3138 HB3138, by Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow and Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, prohibits any state employee from receiving a salary which is greater than 90 percent of the salary paid to the chief executive officer of the agency, board, commission, department or program in the executive branch of
page 28
the state government to which the employee is employed. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/15/2018
HB3139 HB3139, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid and Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, provides a maximum salary amount for chief executive officers and requires it to be no greater than the salary of the governor.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 03/01/2018
HB3209 HB3209, by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, transfers the authority to appoint the Director of Corrections from the State Board of Corrections to the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. It designates the Board as an advisory body to the Director and transfers its duties and powers to the Director. It provides for the determination of compensation. It requires the Director to adopt rules and regulations and allows them to adopt an official seal for the Department. It modifies the duties and responsibilities of the Director. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/28/2018
HB3587 HB3587, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, authorizes the governor to have the power to remove any gubernatorial appointments on any agency, board or commission at any time, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, in addition to any appointments created by expiring terms or vacancies provided by law. It exempts appoints provided for in the Constitution and requires a vacancy created to be filled as provided by law. It adds that if a gubernatorial appointment requires confirmation by the Senate, removal of the appointee would also require confirmation by the Senate. It provides that if the Governor removes such an appointee when the Legislature is not in session, such appointee may continue to serve pending confirmation by the Senate of the action to remove the appointee. The bill grants those same powers to the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Temp for their respective appointments.
Status : H General Order
Status Date : 02/12/2018
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SB1054 SB1054, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore and Rep. Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, grants the Department of Rehabilitation Services liability for monetary damages to licensed individuals or their subcontractors.
Status : S General Order
Status Date : 02/20/2018
page 30
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OKLAHOMA COMMISSION FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DRS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS
CHAPTER 3. MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIVISION CHAPTER 10. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND VISUAL SERVICES
February 28, 2018
ISSUE: Revisions to Chapter 1 consist of removing the references to the Independent Living Program which is no longer operated by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Adding language to clarify the Division of Visual Services may serve individuals with sight threatening progressive conditions or functional limitations due to sight loss. Updating statutory references and removing descriptive material that no longer matches current law and revise the description of the relationship between DRS and the SILC to reflect changes in federal law (WIOA). Update agency and program names to remove obsolete references. Revisions to Chapter 3 consist of recent revisions of the merit rules to clarify career progression to supervisory levels, employment application process and probationary period guidelines. Revisions to Chapter 10 consist of definition updates, removal of extended evaluation language and removal of homemaker employment outcome language to reflect WIOA changes. Basic living requirements revised to lower the family income level above which a VR client will be required to participate in the cost of services. Revoke case status policy along with following case status policies due to the Rehab Act’s elimination of Homemaker as an acceptable employment outcome for the VR program. Amended language to clarify the interpreter evaluation process, qualifications, evaluation fees and certification maintenance. Update definitions for Priority Groups 1 & 2 for clarity and incorporate current federal regulations terms. Policy titles modified to better describe policy content and removal of antiquated language.
BACKGROUND: Due to changes in procedures and agency names, changes in our policy are now necessary. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval:
612:1-5-2. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) [AMENDED] 612:1-5-3. Division of Visual Services (DVS) [AMENDED] 612:1-7-3. Relationships with state boards: ex officio representation from the Department [AMENDED] 612:1-7-4. Relationships with federal officials [AMENDED]
page 32
612:3-3-20. Department of Rehabilitation Services recruitment and selection plan [AMENDED] 612:10-1-2. Definitions [AMENDED] 612:10-3-5. Basic living requirements [AMENDED] 612:10-7-24.3. Trial Work Experience and Extended Evaluation [AMENDED] 612:10-7-24.5. Closed – Not Accepted for Services [AMENDED] 612:10-7-25.1. Order of selection [AMENDED] 612:10-7-45. Case statuses and case flow [AMENDED] 612:10-7-58. Closed Rehabilitated [AMENDED] 612:10-7-201. Rehabilitation teaching services [AMENDED] 612:10-9-1. Philosophy and scope of program [AMENDED] 612:10-9-2. Consumer rights [AMENDED] 612:10-9-3. Rehabilitation teacher’s role [AMENDED] 612:10-9-13. Case recording [AMENDED] 612:10-9-15. Case status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-17. Application Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-18. Closure from Application [REVOKED] 612:10-9-19. Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-20. Service Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-21. Successful Closure [ REVOKED] 612:10-9-22. Unsuccessful Closure after IPE Initiation [REVOKED] 612:10-9-24. Closed from Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-25. Post-Employment Service Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-26. Post-Employment Closure Status [REVOKED] 612:10-9-33. Communication Skills [AMENDED] 612:10-9-34. Personal management skills [AMENDED] 612:10-9-34.2. Indoor mobilityMobility within home environment [AMENDED] 612:10-9-34.3. Other adaptive skills [REVOKED] 612:10-9-35. Home management [AMENDED] 612:10-9-37. Referral for support services [AMENDED] 612:10-9-38. Vocational rehabilitation [AMENDED] 612:10-13-16. Evaluation [AMENDED] 612:10-13-17. Evaluation team [AMENDED] 612: 10-13-18. Fees [AMENDED] 612:10-13-20. Certification maintenance [AMENDED] DRS:3-3-27. Department of Rehabilitation Services promotional plan [AMENDED]
BUDGET IMPACT: The proposed policy sections should have no impact on the budget. ATTACHMENTS/PACKET SUPPORT DOCUMENTS:
612:1-5-2, 612:1-5-3, 612:1-7-3, 612:1-7-4, 612:3-3-20, 612:10-1-2, 612:10-3-5, 612:10-7-24.3, 612:10-7-24.5, 612:10-7-25.1, 612:10-7-45, 612:10-7-58, 612:10-7-201, 612:10-9-1, 612:10-9-2, 612:10-9-3, 612:10-9-13, 612:10-9-15, 612:10-9-17, 612:10-9-18, 612:10-9-19, 612:10-9-20, 612:10-9-21, 612:10-9-22, 612:10-9-24,
page 33
612:10-9-25, 612:10-9-26, 612:10-9-33, 612:10-9-34, 612:10-9-34.2, 612:10-9-34.3, 612:10-9-35, 612:10-9-37, 612:10-9-38, 612:10-13-16, 612:10-13-17, 612:10-13-18, 612:10-13-20, DRS:3-3-27
page 34
612:1-5-2. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) [AMENDED] 1
2
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provides vocational rehabilitation services 3
designed to result in an employment outcome for persons with disabilities. Priority is given 4
to those with the most severe disabilities. The Independent Living Program provides 5
services to persons with severe disabilities to allow more independent functioning within the 6
family or community. Employment Support Services (ESS) oversees an array of support 7
services assisting field staff in securing employment and increasing independent living 8
skills for agency clients. ESS administers contracts and provides technical assistance to 9
community rehabilitation facilities contracting with DRS to provide Supported Employment, 10
Employment and Retention, Job Placement and Consumer Independence Support 11
Services. ESS also administers the Ticket to Work Program, including follow-up on Social 12
Security cases. Special Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Unit are provided 13
through Interpreter Services Program and the Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf 14
(TDD) Program. All unit heads, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Field Coordinators report 15
directly to the Division Administrator. DRS has field staff assigned to meet the needs in 16
every county of the state, although staff may not be officed in each county. Local office staff 17
report to DVR Program Managers, who report to Field Coordinators at the State Office. 18
page 35
612:1-5-3. Division of Visual Services (DVS) [AMENDED] 1
2
The Division of Visual Services provides diagnostic, counseling and guidance, physical 3
restoration, training, and other services to individuals whose major disability is blindness, or 4
severe visual impairment, a progressive sight threatening disease, or functional limitation 5
resulting from sight loss. All departmental managers and Visual Services Field 6
Coordinators report directly to the Division Administrator or designee. Rehabilitation 7
teachers for the blind provide in-home training, counseling and instruction in daily-living 8
skills to blind and visually impaired individuals. DRS has field staff assigned to meet the 9
needs in every county of the state, although staff may not be officed in each county. Local 10
office staff report to VS Program Managers, who report to the Field Coordinators. The 11
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides books and magazines 12
in special media to blind and print-limited Oklahomans. The Division of Visual Services 13
administers the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program in Oklahoma, securing 14
suitable locations for vending facilities; designing and installing equipment; recruiting, 15
training, placing and supervising operators for the facilities. 16
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612:1-7-3. Relationships with state boards: ex officio representation from the 1
Department [AMENDED] 2
3
(a) State Rehabilitation Council. SectionsSection 101 and 105725 of the Rehabilitation 4
Act requires the Statestate Rehabilitation Agency establish a OklahomaState Rehabilitation 5
Council. The Council membership is appointed by the Governor, and is to be composed of 6
at least one representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council; at least one 7
representative of a parent training and information center; at least one representative of the 8
Client Assistance Program; at least one rehabilitation counselor serving as an ex officio 9
member; at least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers; 10
four representatives of business, industry and labor; representatives of disability advocacy 11
groups; and current or former applicants for, or recipients of, rehabilitation services 12
consistent with the provisions of 29 USC Section 725. The Director of the Department of 13
Rehabilitation Services serves as an ex officio member of the Council. Refer to Section 14
105 of the Rehabilitation Act for membership qualifications. The Council reviews, analyzes, 15
and advises the Department regarding the performance of its responsibilities under the 16
Rehabilitation Act; helps develop the State Plan; and performs other functions as specified 17
in Section 105725 of the Rehabilitation Act. 18
19
(b) Statewide Independent Living Council. Section 705706d of the Rehabilitation Act 20
requires the State establish a Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). Membership 21
of the Council is appointed by the Governor consistent with 29 USC 796(b). The 22
membership is composed of at least one director of a center for independent living chosen 23
by the directors of centers for independent living within the State; a representative from the 24
Department of Rehabilitation Services serving as an ex officio member; representatives 25
from other state agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities who also 26
serve as ex officio members. Other members are appointed as appropriate, and may 27
include other representatives from centers for independent living; parents and guardians of 28
individuals with disabilities; advocates of and for individuals with disabilities; 29
representatives from private business; representatives from organizations that provide 30
services for individuals with disabilities; and other appropriate individuals. Refer to Section 31
705 of the Rehabilitation Act for qualifications of members. When serving as the 32
Designated State Entity (DSE) for receipt and disbursement of federal independent living 33
funds as authorized by 29 USC 796c(c), the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) 34
has a non-voting member position on the SILC. The Council develops and submitssubmit, 35
in conjunction with the Department, the State Plan for Independent Living as described in 36
Section 704796c of the Rehabilitation Act, and monitors implementation of the State Plan. 37
The Council also monitors, reviews, helps develop and evaluates the implementation of the 38
State Plan. The Director of the DSE is a required signer for submission of the State Plan. 39
page 37
612:1-7-4. Relationships with federal officials [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) The Department of Education. The Department of Education (DOE) is the cabinet-3
level agency which establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal 4
assistance to education. Created in 1979, pursuant to P.L. 96-88, DOE carries out 5
functions impacting elementary and secondary education, post-secondary education, and 6
education of individuals with disabilities. DOE is also responsible for administration of 7
Vocational and Adult Education services and for Special Education and Rehabilitation 8
Services. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), United States Department of 9
Education, is the principle federal agency charged with carrying out the Rehabilitation Act. 10
The State Department of Rehabilitation Services must submit a State Plan conforming to 11
the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act to the Commissioner of RSA in order to be 12
eligible to participate in programs under the Rehabilitation Act. Most of the funding for the 13
State Department comes from RSA which promulgates policies and procedures the State 14
Department must follow consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act. 15
16
(b) Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human 17
Services (DHHS) is a cabinet-level department of the federal executive branch. It was 18
created in 1953 as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, then was 19
redesignated in 1979 as the Department of Health and Human Services by the Department 20
of Education Organization Act. Among its other duties, DHHS administers the Social 21
Security Administration (SSA) and the Health Care Financing AdministrationCenters for 22
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 23
24
(1) The Social Security Administration's principle functions include program planning, 25
implementation, and evaluation on a long-range basis of problems pertinent to poverty, 26
insecurity, and health-care for the aged, blind, and disabled. SSA administers a 27
national program of contributory social insurance whereby employees, employers, and 28
the self-employed pay contributions, which are pooled in special trust funds so that 29
when earnings stop or are reduced because of retirement, death, or disability, monthly 30
case benefits may be paid, replacing parts of lost earnings. Additionally, SSA 31
administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is financed from 32
general revenues, rather than a special trust. SSI provides payments to the aged, 33
blind, and disabled whose income and resources are below amounts considered 34
necessary to support an acceptable standard of living. The Disability Determination 35
Division of DRS determines eligibility of persons for benefits administered by SSA. 36
37
(2) The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)The Centers for Medicare and 38
Medicaid (CMS) is the principle DHHS component with oversight of the Medicare and 39
Medicaid programs, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and 40
relatedother federal medicalhealth care quality-control functions. The Medicare 41
program provides basic health benefits to Social Security recipients. It is funded 42
through the Social Security Trust Fund. HCFACMS provides assistance to service 43
providers, such as hospitals, physicians, and nursing homes; to the intermediaries who 44
adjudicate claims; and to Medicare recipients. Medicaid provides medical services to 45
persons who cannot afford adequate health care. HCFA is responsible for 46
page 38
administering grants and technical assistance to State and local organizations to 47
support medical care programs for the needy. To help carry out this responsibility, Peer 48
Review Organizations (PRO) have been established. The local physician-established 49
PRO's engage in ongoing peer review in order to assure that quality inpatient health-50
care services are provided participants in Medicare, Medicaid, and Maternal and Child 51
Health programs at a reasonable cost. Medical services provided by DRS are 52
authorized using the HCFA fee coding system, and reimbursement guidelines. 53
54
(c) Department of Labor. A Secretary and Under-Secretary lead the Department of Labor 55
and direct the activities of the Administrators of the various constituent organizational 56
elements. These include the Unemployment Insurance Service,and the U.S. Employment 57
Service, and the Office of Comprehensive Employment Development, allboth of which are 58
within the Employment and Training Administration. The Office of Disability Employment 59
Policy is also administered by DOL. Other major divisions are the Wage and Labor 60
Standards Administration, and the Manpower Administration. Funds from the Department 61
of Labor for the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and other programs of concern to the 62
Department are generally distributed through local state agencies, such as, in Oklahoma, 63
the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the Oklahoma Department of 64
Economic and Community Affairs. 65
66
(d) National Library Service of Library of Congress. The Oklahoma Library for the Blind 67
and Physically Handicapped, operated by DRS, is the regional library for Oklahoma and a 68
part of the national network of libraries of the Library of Congress National Library Services 69
(NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 70
page 39
612:3-3-20. Department of Rehabilitation Services recruitment and selection plan 1
2
(a) Method of application. All applicants who are permanent classified employees, or 3
former permanent classified state employees eligible for reinstatement to the classified 4
service, shall submit a completed HCM Personal Data Summary Sheet form official State of 5
Oklahoma employment application-1 online with OMES-HCM at jobs.ok.gov for the position 6
to the DRS Human Resources Unit or other designated location no later than the closing 7
date and time stated in the posted notice. DRS does not carry over completed Personal 8
Data Summary Sheetsapplications from one posting to the next unless specified on the 9
posting. All other applicants for classified positions must apply by means of the method 10
indicated on the vacancy notice. The DRS Human Resources Unit OMES-HCM notifies 11
applicants who did not meet minimum education and experience requirements for the 12
position. Applicants may submit additional information to the DRS Human Resources 13
UnitOMES-Human Capital Management which reflects they meet the minimum 14
qualifications for the position. The Human Resources Unit will submit the additional 15
information to Human Capital Management for review. If Human Capital Management 16
determines that minimum qualificationqualifications for the position are met, the applicant 17
log may be amended and the applicant given consideration for the position if a final 18
selection has not been made by the selecting official. 19
20
(b) Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities. Applicants that have been 21
certified as "a person with a severe disability" by Human Capital Management will be 22
included on the Special Appointment/Free Names list through HCM and may be considered 23
along with other qualified internal and external applicants. 24
25
(c) Eligibility for consideration. The agency may consider external applicants 26
concurrently with internal applicants following closing of the announcement. To be eligible 27
for consideration, applicants must meet the requirements set forth in Paragraphs (1) or (2) 28
of this Subsection. 29
30
(1) A permanent classified employee or a former state employee who is eligible for 31
reinstatement must: 32
33
(A) submit a completed HCM Personal Data Summary Sheet form for the position to 34
the DRS Human Resources Unit or other designated locationofficial State of 35
Oklahoma employment application online with OMES-HCM at jobs.ok.gov no later 36
than the closing date and time specified on the posting notice; and 37
38
(B) be certified by the HCM Applicant Services Division as meeting the minimum 39
qualifications for the posted Level(s) of the Job Family. However, career 40
progression promotions shall be exempt from this requirement provided that an 41
employee has been in a lower level of the job family for an amount of time equal to 42
the difference in the lengths of the experience requirements of the two levels. This 43
exception shall not apply in any case to entry into a job family or where the next 44
higher level is a supervisory position. 45
46
page 40
(2) All other applicants for employment may be eligible for consideration through: 47
48
(A) an open competitive certificate from HCM; 49
50
(B) Certification as a person with a severe disability under 74 O.S. 840-4.12; and/or 51
52
(C) Special Disabled Veterans Certification. 53
54
(d) Factors for consideration. Paragraphs (1) through (5) establish factors for 55
consideration. 56
57
(1) In filling vacancies, the agency will consider factors such as performance 58
appraisals, education, experience, and other qualifications related to the expected 59
ability of an individual to perform the work successfully. 60
61
(2) The agency may also post and consider special additional factors such as limiting 62
consideration to permanent classified employees of the DRS, special working conditions 63
that an applicant must be willing to accept and selective qualifications required for a 64
position. 65
66
(3) A qualified permanent classified DRS employee will be given preference when the 67
merit, ability, and capacity of that employee is relatively equal to that of applicants from 68
outside DRS as determined by the selection process. 69
70
(4) A qualified permanent classified DRS employee with the greatest seniority based 71
upon the last date of continuous DRS employment will be given preference when the 72
merit, ability, and capacity of that employee is relatively equal to other applicants as 73
determined by the selection process. 74
75
(5) Consideration may be given to redress underutilization of targeted minority groups. 76
To meet affirmative action goals, all available applicants may be considered. 77
78
(e) Methods for consideration. Paragraphs (1) through (3) establish methods for 79
consideration. 80
81
(1) The methods for consideration may include review of personnel records, 82
applications, ratings, work histories, attendance records, test results, references, and 83
other documents and information relating to a person's eligibility or qualifications. 84
85
(2) Applicants may be required to participate in interviews and in other selection 86
procedures. 87
88
(3) A personal background investigation, including any civilian and military court 89
records may be conducted. 90
91
page 41
(f) Entrance salary. The entrance salary for any position in the classified service shall be 92
governed by the Merit Rules. 93
94
(g) Probationary period (classified service). Individuals newly hired into the classified 95
service will serve a probationary period. The probationary period gives the new employee 96
an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to perform the assigned duties of the position. The 97
initial probationary period lasts for one year, except that the Director or Chief of Staff may 98
waive the remainder of the probationary period at any time after a probationary employee 99
has served six months by notifying the employee and Human Capital Management in 100
writing as to the waiver and the reasons for it. The probationary period may not be 101
extended. However, if a probationary employee is granted leave without pay that exceeds 102
5 working days, the date of the final working day of the probationary period shall be 103
adjusted by the number of working days the probationary employee was on leave without 104
pay in excess of 5 working days. Notification of such leave to Human Capital Management 105
and the employee shall include the scheduled date of the final working day of the adjusted 106
probationary period. The appointment of an employee on probationary status may be 107
terminated whenever the performance is determined to be unsatisfactory. The probationary 108
employee does not have the right of appeal to the Merit Protection Commission when 109
terminated during the probationary period [530:10-11-32]. The employee's immediate 110
supervisor is responsible for carefully observing and evaluating performance. The 111
performance evaluation of a probationary employee must be completed no later than thirty 112
days prior to the end of the probationary period. The Appointing Authority may not extend 113
the probationary period, but may adjust the probationary period due to an extended 114
absence as provided in 260:25-11-36: 115
116
(1) Upon written request, a probationary employee may be granted leave of absence 117
without pay from the agency in accordance with 260:25-15-47, Leave of absence 118
without pay, or 260:25-15-49, Leave because of absence due to job related illness or 119
injury. 120
121
(2) If a probationary employee is absent from work in excess of 30 continuous calendar 122
days, the probationary period shall be adjusted by the number of calendar days the 123
probationary employee was absent. The employee shall be notified at the earliest date 124
that the probationary period is to be adjusted. Upon the employee’s return to work, 125
notification of such adjustment shall be provided to the employee and the Human 126
Capital Management Division and shall include the adjusted date of the final working 127
day of the probationary period. 128
129
The appointment of an employee on probationary status may be terminated whenever the 130
performance is determined to be unsatisfactory. The probationary employee does not have 131
the right of appeal to the Merit Protection Commission when terminated during the 132
probationary period [260:25-11-32]. The employee’s immediate supervisor is responsible 133
for carefully observing and evaluation performance. The performance evaluation of a 134
probationary employee must be completed no later than thirty days prior to the end of the 135
probationary period. 136
137
page 42
138
(h) Related employees (classified/unclassified service). The Department reserves the 139
right to make placements and work assignments of personnel as necessary to eliminate 140
and/or prevent situations in which a position is occupied by a relative of the senior 141
administrator of the relevant division, facility, or office. The Director may waive the 142
prohibitions in this Subsection. The Department prohibits the employment of any person in 143
a position which would result in: 144
145
(1) immediate supervision by a relative. Relative is defined to include wife, husband, 146
children, parents, stepparents, parents-in-law, grandchildren, grandparents, brothers, 147
sisters, stepchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, 148
aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, first cousins or any of the above with whom the 149
employee shares a foster relationship; or 150
151
(2) two or more relatives reporting to the same immediate supervisor. 152
153
(i) Other employment, prohibition against use of position for personal gain and 154
avoidance of conflict of interest. Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules [OAC Title 257] 155
are applicable regarding prohibition against use of position for personal use. 156
157
(1) Each employee must, during office hours, devote full time, attention, and effort to 158
the Department's business. The employee may not use office hours for private gain. 159
160
(2) An employee may accept other employment outside the employee's assigned hours 161
of duty as long as such other employment does not interfere with the employee's work 162
with the Department. If an employee engages in other employment while an employee 163
of the Department, such employment or changes in the employment, as it occurs shall 164
be reported by use of the Report of Other Employment form. Such notification shall be 165
given to the employee's immediate supervisor. 166
167
(j) Final selection. While others may recruit, screen, consider and make 168
recommendations, the decision on all appointments and changes in classification is 169
tentative until it has the approval of the Director or designee. No offer of employment may 170
be made until notification of final approval is received from the Personnel Office of the DRS 171
Human Resources Unit. 172
173
page 43
612:10-1-2. Definitions [AMENDED] 1 2
The following words and terms, when used in this Chapter, shall have the following 3 meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: 4
5 "Act" means the Rehabilitation Act [29 USC 701 et seq.]. 6 7 "ADL" Activities of Daily Living often refer to the routine activities carried out for 8
personal hygiene and health (including bathing, dressing, feeding) and for operation of a 9 household. 10
11 "Applicant" means an individual who has completed and signed an agency application 12
form or has otherwise requested vocational rehabilitation services; who has provided 13 information necessary to initiate an assessment to determine eligibility and priority for 14 services; and who is available to complete the assessment process. 15
16 "Assistive technology" means technology designed to be utilized in an assistive 17
technology device or service. 18 19 "Assistive technology device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product 20
system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, 21 maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. 22
23 "Assistive technology service" means any service that directly assists an individual 24
with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. 25 26 "Authorized Representative" means a client's or applicant's parent, guardian, 27
advocate (i.e. Client Assistance Program) or other person designated by the client or 28 applicant as the individual authorized to deal with the Department on behalf of the client or 29 applicant, consistent with provisions of the Act. Authorized representative does not include 30 an employee of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, another state agency, or vendor 31 of the Department unless the person is actually the parent, guardian, or is serving in the 32 capacity of guardian (for example: court appointed). 33
34 "Best correction" refers to the use of standard eyeglasses or contact lenses and does 35
not include the use of bioptic telescopic systems or specialized lenses which cannot be 36 worn by the individual on a sustained basis. 37
38 "Blind" means persons who are blind within the meaning of the State Law relating to 39
Vocational Rehabilitation. Legal blindness means a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the 40 better eye with best correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. 41
42 "Client/Consumer" means an individual found eligible and receiving services under the 43
Act. 44 45
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"Clubhouse model" means a psychosocial and vocational approach to work 46 adjustment for people with mental illness. The work-ordered day is a core element of the 47 clubhouse, which focuses on strengths, talents and abilities. Work in the clubhouse helps 48 members develop appropriate social skills and gain self-worth, purpose, and confidence. 49 The clubhouse enables members to return to paid work through Transitional Employment, 50 Supported Employment and independent employmentthe workforce and achieve 51 employment outcomes. 52
53 "Community rehabilitation program" (CRP) means a program that directly provides 54
or facilitates the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, 55 and provides singly or in combination, services for an individual with a disability to enable 56 the individual to maximize opportunities for employment, including career advancement. 57
58 "Comparable services and benefits" means services that are provided or paid for in 59
whole or in part by other Federal, state or local public agencies, health insurance or 60 employee benefits, and are available to the individual at the time needed to further the 61 progress of the individual toward achieving his/her identified employment outcome. 62
63 "Compensatory training" means training required before the client can enter a formal 64
training program or employment, such as pre-vocational or personal adjustment training. 65 66 "Competitive integrated employment" means full or part-time work that is 67
compensated at or above minimum wage, offers an individual with a disability benefits and 68 opportunities for advancement comparable to those offered to employees in similar 69 positions, and is performed in a setting where the individual with a disability interacts with 70 persons without disabilities to the same extent that employees who are not individuals with 71 disabilities and who are in comparable positions interact with these persons. Specific 72 criteria defining competitive integrated employment are detailed in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(9)." 73
74 "Consumer Independence Support Services" (CISS) are defined as providing 75
independent living assessment, intensive counseling, community integration, and housing 76 modifications to further assist consumers with severe disabilities in achieving 77 independence. 78
79 "Continuity of Services" means once an individual is selected for services in 80
accordance with policy, regardless of the priority category from which the individual was 81 selected, the individual will receive the necessary purchased services, including post-82 employment services. 83
84 "Counselor" means the qualified rehabilitation professional, who is an employee of the 85
designated state unit, and who has primary responsibility for the management of an 86 individual's rehabilitation services case record, including determination of eligibility, service 87 planning and management, counseling and guidance, and determination of successful or 88 unsuccessful rehabilitation. Counselor is equivalent to such terms as VR/VS Specialist and 89 VR/VS Coordinator. 90
91
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"Customized employment" means competitive integrated employment, for an 92 individual with a significant disability, that is based on a determination of the unique 93 strengths, needs and interests of the individual; designed to meet the specific abilities of 94 the individual and the business needs of the employer; and carried out using flexible 95 strategies such as those detailed in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(11). 96
97 "Department" unless otherwise indicated in the text, means the Department of 98
Rehabilitation Services as constituted in 74 O.S., Section 166.1 et seq. 99 100 "DRS" means the Department of Rehabilitation Services. 101 102 "DVR" means the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. 103 104 "DVS" means the Division of Visual Services. 105 106 "Eligibility" or "Eligible" means: 107
108 (A) when used in relation to an individual's qualification for Vocational Rehabilitation 109 services, a determination that the individual has a physical or mental impairment 110 which for such individual constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to 111 employment; can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from rehabilitation 112 services; and requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, 113 retain, advance in or regain employment; 114 115 (B) when used in relation to an individual's qualification for Supported Employment 116 services, a determination that the individual is eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation 117 services; is an individual with the most significant disabilities (priority group one); 118 and 119
120 (i) for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred; or 121 122 (ii) for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a 123 result of a significant disability; and 124 125 (iii) who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need intensive 126 supported employment services, and extended services after the transition from 127 intensive supported employment services, in order to perform such work; 128
129 (C) when used in relation to an individual's qualification for Rehabilitation Teaching 130 services, a finding that an individual is legally and/or functionally blind, has a rapidly 131 progressive eye condition; or has a visual impairment that with or without secondary 132 disabilities results in functional visual limitations; the individual has identifiable 133 deficiencies in independent living due to disabilities; and it is expected services will 134 improve the individual's independence in the home and community. 135 136
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"Employment and Retention" (E&R) means short-term job coach support for 137 individuals with severe disabilities who require assistance preparing for, obtaining, and 138 maintaining employment. 139
140 "Employment outcome" means, with respect to an eligible individual, entering, 141
advancing in, or retaining full-time or part-time competitive integrated employment as 142 defined in 34 CFR §361.5(c)(9) (including customized employment, self-employment, 143 telecommuting, or business ownership), or supported employment as defined in 34 CFR 144 §361.5(c)(53), that is consistent with an individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, 145 concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. (Note: As specified in 146 federal rule, a designated State unit may continue services to individuals with 147 uncompensated employment goals on their approved individualized plans for employment 148 prior to the effective date of the final federal regulations until June 30, 2017, unless a longer 149 period of time is required based on the needs of the individual with the disability, as 150 documented in the individual's service record.) 151
152 "Extended employment" means work in a non-integrated or sheltered setting for a 153
public or private nonprofit agency or organization that provides compensation in 154 accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and any needed support services to an 155 individual with a disability to enable the individual to continue to train or otherwise prepare 156 for competitive integrated employment. 157
158 "Extended period of time" means when appropriate services are provided in a timely 159
and orderly manner, completion of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) will be, 160 with respect to duration of vocational rehabilitation, services that are expected to require a 161 minimum ofextend at least 6 months from eligibility. 162
163 "Extended services" means ongoing support services provided to individuals with the 164
most significant disabilities, including youth with the most significant disabilities, after the 165 time-limited vocational rehabilitation services have been completed and job stabilization 166 has been achieved. They consist of specific services, including natural supports, needed to 167 maintain the supported employment placement. Extended services are paid from funding 168 sources other than DRS and are specifically identified in the IPE, except that DRS may 169 provide and pay for extended services for youth with the most significant disabilities for a 170 period not to exceed 4 years or extend beyond the date when the youth reaches age 25. 171
172 "Extreme medical risk" means a risk of substantially increasing functional impairment 173
or risk of death if medical services are not provided expeditiously. 174 175 "Functional capacities" means a client's assets, strengths, and resources which 176
maintain or increase the individual's ability to work. Functional capacities include mobility, 177 communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills. 178
179 "Functional limitations" means physical or mental conditions, emergent from a 180
disability, which impair, interfere with, or impede one or more of an individual's functional 181 capacities. 182
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183 "Higher education" means universities, colleges, community/junior colleges, 184
vocational schools, technical institutes, or hospital schools of nursing. 185 186 "Highly challenged" describes a client receiving supported employment services who, 187
due to the nature of the disability, requires a greater level of support from the job coach to 188 achieve and maintain employment. 189
190 "IEP" means Individualized Education Program as required by the Individuals with 191
Disabilities Education Act. 192 193 "Independent Living (IL) Core Services" is defined as information and referral 194
services; independent living skills training; peer counseling; individual and systems 195 advocacy; and services that facilitate the transition of individuals with significant disabilities 196 from institutions to community-based residences, assist individuals at risk of entering 197 institutions to remain living in the community, and assist the transition to postsecondary life 198 for youth with significant disabilities who were eligible for special education and are no 199 longer in school. 200
201 "Independent Living Services" as defined in the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC Section 202
705 (17) and (18), include IL core services and counseling, housing procurement and 203 modifications, personal assistance, mobility training, rehabilitation technology, life skills 204 training, interpreters, readers, transportation, community integration, supported living, 205 physical rehabilitation, aids and devices, social and recreational opportunities, and other 206 services that are necessary and not inconsistent with the Act's provisions related to 207 independent living. 208
209 "Individual with a disability" means an individual having one or more physical or 210
mental conditions which materially limits, contributes to limiting or, if not corrected, will 211 probably result in limiting an individual's employment activities or vocational functioning. 212
213 "Individual with a severe disability" means with respect to eligibility for the state's 214
Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities, an individual who has a physical or 215 mental impairment which seriously limits one or more functional capacities (such as 216 mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or 217 work skills) in terms of an employment outcome. 218
219 "Individual with a significant disability" means an individual with a significant barrier 220
to employment, as used in the Rehabilitation Act amendments of 1998, and an 221 individualdisability: 222
223 (A) who has a severe physical or mental impairment that seriously limitinglimits one 224 or more functional capacities (such as mobility, communication, self-care, self-225 direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills) in terms of an 226 employment outcome; 227 228
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(B) whose vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require multiple vocational 229 rehabilitation services over an extended period of time; and 230 231 (C) who has one or more physical or mental disabilities resulting from amputation, 232 arthritis, autism, blindness, burn injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, 233 deafness, head injury, heart disease, hemiplegia, hemophilia, respiratory or 234 pulmonary dysfunction, mental illness, intellectual disability, multiple sclerosis, 235 muscular dystrophy, musculoskeletal disorder, neurological disorders (including 236 stroke and epilepsy), paraplegia, quadriplegia, other spinal cord conditions, sickle 237 cell anemia, specific learning disability, end-stage renal disease or other disability or 238 combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an assessment for determining 239 eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs to cause comparable substantial 240 functional limitation. 241
242 "Individual with the most significant disability" means an individual with the most 243
significant barrier to employment as used in the Rehabilitation Act amendments of 1998, 244 and an individual with physical or mental disabilities a disability: 245
246 (A) who has a severe physical or mental disabilityimpairment that seriously limits 247 three or more major life activitiesfunctional capacities in terms of an employment 248 outcome; 249 250 (B) whose vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require multiple vocational 251 rehabilitation services over an extended period of time; and 252 253 (C) who has one or more physical or mental disabilities resulting from amputation, 254 arthritis, autism, blindness, burn injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, 255 deafness, head injury, heart disease, hemiplegia, hemophilia, respiratory or 256 pulmonary dysfunction, mental illness, intellectual disability, multiple sclerosis, 257 muscular dystrophy, musculoskeletal disorder, neurological disorders (including 258 stroke and epilepsy), paraplegia, quadriplegia, other spinal cord conditions, sickle 259 cell anemia, specific learning disability, end-stage renal disease or other disability or 260 combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an assessment for determining 261 eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs to cause comparable substantial 262 functional limitation. 263
264 "Integrated setting" means: 265
266 (A) With respect to the provision of services, a setting typically found in the 267 community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled 268 individuals other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to those 269 applicants or eligible individuals. 270 271 (B) With respect to an employment outcome, means a setting typically found in the 272 community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled 273 individuals, other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to those 274
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applicants or eligible individuals, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in 275 comparable positions interact with other persons. 276
277 "Intercurrent (acute) conditions" means an illness or injury occurring during the 278
actual course of an individual's rehabilitation which, if not cared for, will complicate or delay 279 achievement of the client's employment outcome as identified in the client's IPE. 280
281 "IPE" means the Individualized Plan for Employment. 282 283 "Job Club" is a structured learning experience for a client to build skills in self-284
assessment, resume development, job search and research strategies, and interview 285 techniques to assist the person to enter a career of their choice. 286
287 "Job Coach/Employment Training Specialist" means a qualified individual providing 288
support services to eligible individuals in supported employment and employment and 289 retention programs. Services directly support the eligible individual's work activity including 290 marketing and job development, applied behavioral analysis, job and work site assessment, 291 training and worker assessment, job matching procedures, and teaching job skills. 292
293 "Long-term treatment" means medical or psychological treatment that is expected to 294
last more than three months. 295 296 "Maintenance" is a service provided to assist with the out-of-ordinary or extra 297
expenses to the individual resulting from and needed to support the individual's 298 participation in diagnostic, evaluative, or other substantial services in the IPE. Activities of 299 Daily Living (ADL) expenses are not eligible for maintenance payments. 300
301 "Milestones" means a payment system that reimburses a vendor based on incentives 302
and outcomes. The vendor is paid when the client completes pre-defined checkpoints on 303 the way to a desired employment goal. 304
305 "Multiple services" means the counseling and guidance provided as a routine part of 306
case management plus two or more VR services. Comparable benefits and/or services can 307 count toward meeting the definition of multiple services. Services routinely provided as a 308 package do not count as multiple services for the purpose of determining the presence of a 309 significant disability, even if two or more services are included in the package. 310
311 "Natural supports" means any assistance, relationships or interactions that allow a 312
person to maintain employment in ways that correspond to the typical work routines and 313 social interactions of other employees. Natural supports may be developed through 314 relationships with people or put into place by the adaptation of the work environment itself, 315 depending on the support needs of the person and the environment. 316
317 "Occupational license" means any license, permit, or other written authority required 318
by a state, city or other governmental unit to be obtained in order to enter an occupation. 319 320
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"Ongoing support services" means services specified in the IPE according to 321 individual need, which support and maintain an individual with the most significant 322 disabilities in supported employment. Sponsored ongoing support services are provided 323 from the time of placement until the individual is stabilized on the job. Ongoing support 324 services are provided by one or more extended services providers, or by natural supports, 325 following transition throughout the individual's term of employment. 326
327 "Other Qualified Rehabilitation Personnel" means qualified rehabilitation personnel 328
who, in addition to rehabilitation counselors, are necessary to facilitate the accomplishment 329 of the employment outcomes and objectives of an individual (Section 100(a)(3)(E) of the 330 Act.) Other qualified rehabilitation personnel include, but are not limited to, rehabilitation 331 teachers of the blind who are certified at the national level. 332
333 "Package of services" means several services which are usually provided together for 334
the same purpose. The services in a package are usually, but not always, from the same 335 category of services (see definition of multiple services, this section). Examples include, but 336 are not limited to: surgery, anesthesia, and hospitalization; or personal computer, software, 337 and peripheral equipment. 338
339 "Personal assistance services" means a range of services provided by one or more 340
persons designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily living activities on 341 or off the job that the individual would typically perform without assistance if the individual 342 did not have a disability. 343
344 "Physical and mental restoration services" means services which are necessary to 345
correct or substantially modify a physical or mental condition which is stable or slowly 346 progressive, within a reasonable period of time. 347
348 "Physical or mental disability" means a physical or mental condition which, if not 349
corrected, materially limits, contributes to limiting or will result in limiting an individual's 350 activities or functioning. 351
352 "Pre-employment transition services" means the required activities and authorized 353
activities specified in 34 CFR 361.48(a)(2) and (3). 354 355 "Rehabilitation Act" means the Rehabilitation Act [29 USC 701 et seq.]. 356 357 "Related factors" means those factors which are not directly attributable to the 358
impediment to employment, but which have impact on the potential for successful 359 rehabilitation. They frequently become evident only from an assessment of the person's 360 social, vocational, educational, and environmental circumstances. 361
362 "Section 504 Plan" is a plan designed as a protection for students with disabilities who 363
may not be considered eligible for special education under IDEA in compliance with Section 364 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. 365
366
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"Small business enterprises" means a small business operated by blind or other 367 individuals with severe disabilities under the management and supervision of the state 368 DRS. Such businesses include only those selling, manufacturing, processing, servicing, 369 agricultural, and other activities which are suitable and practical for the effective utilization 370 of the skills and aptitudes of individuals who are blind or individuals who have severe 371 disabilities. Small business enterprise provides substantial gainful employment or self-372 employment commensurate with the time devoted by the operators to the business, the 373 cost of establishing the business and other factors of an economic nature. 374
375 "Stabilization" means the period of time when job coach support is reduced to the 376
long-term maintenance level while the individual retains employment, and personal 377 satisfaction with the job, as well as employer satisfaction with the person’s job 378 performance. Stabilization must include appropriate individualized supports, including a 379 minimum of two employee contacts and one employer contact per month. 380
381 "Substantial impediment to employment" means that a physical or mental disability 382
(in the light of related medical, psychological, vocational, educational, cultural, social or 383 environmental factors) that impedes an individual's occupational performance, by 384 preventing his/her obtaining, retaining, or preparing for a gainful occupation consistent with 385 his/her capacities and abilities. 386
387 "Supported employment" (SE) means competitive integrated employment, including 388
customized employment, or employment in integrated work settings in which individuals are 389 working on a short-term basis toward competitive work, consistent with the strengths, 390 resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the 391 individuals, for individuals with the most significant disabilities who meet the eligibility 392 criteria for supported employment as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(53). For purposes of this 393 definition, “short-term basis” shall mean six months or up to 12 months in limited 394 circumstances as described in 34 CFR 361.5(c)(53). 395
396 "Transition services" means, for a student or a youth with a disability, a coordinated 397
set of activities designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement 398 from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational 399 training, competitive integrated employment, supported employment, continuing and adult 400 education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. Transition 401 services (1) are based upon the individual student's or youth’s needs, preferences and 402 interests; (2) include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment 403 and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living 404 skills and functional vocational evaluation; (3) promote or facilitate the achievement of the 405 employment outcome identified in the student's or youth’s individualized plan for 406 employment; and (4) include outreach to and engagement of the parents, or, as 407 appropriate, the representative of such a student or youth with a disability. 408 409
"Transportation" is a service provided to assist with the costs of travel, including 410 instruction in the use of public transportation vehicles and systems, which result from and 411
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are needed to support the individual's participation in diagnostic, evaluative, or other 412 substantial and necessary VR services. 413
414 "VR" means the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or the more general term 415
vocational rehabilitation services, depending upon the context. 416 417 "VS" means the Division of Visual Services, depending upon the context. 418
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612:10-3-5. Basic living requirements [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) A basic living requirement has been established for different size family groups. A 3
family member is an individual who is a relative or guardian of an applicant or eligible 4
individual. Basic living requirements are based on 400%300% of the Federal poverty level 5
adjusted annually for family size. The standard is intended to cover only the necessities of 6
food, shelter, utilities, clothing, transportation, and incidentals to give the counselor some 7
criteria by which to measure the financial status of a client. To qualify as independent from 8
the family group, the client must meet one of the following criteria: 9
10
(1) Beneficiary of Titles II (federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits) 11
or XVI (SSI); 12
13
(2) At least 24 years of age and single; 14
15
(3) A ward of the court and in custody of DHS; 16
17
(4) Married and maintaining a separate household; 18
19
(5) Meets the criteria for temporary housing as described in 612:10-3-5(c) or; 20
21
(6) The counselor verifies the client has the financial resources to demonstrate self-22
sufficiency and the client declares no family contributions are available. 23
24
(b) Verification of family membership should be based upon whatever available 25
information most accurately documents family membership according to the definition 26
given in this rule. Examples of acceptable verification include the latest Federal income tax 27
return, payroll information, insurance policies, client report, and/or counselor observation. 28
29
(c) An eligible individual whose disability has resulted in the need to live with family or 30
friends, and as appropriate the individual's spouse and dependent children, will be 31
considered as a separate household regardless of living arrangements. 32
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612:10-7-24.3. Trial Work Experience and Extended Evaluation [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Use of trial work experience and extended evaluation. It shall be presumed that 3
an individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational 4
rehabilitation services unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates that the 5
individual is incapable of benefiting in terms of an employment outcome due to the 6
severity of the individual's disability. In making such demonstration, the VR Counselor 7
will explore the individual's capabilities to perform in realistic work settings through the 8
use of trial work experiences with appropriate supports, except under limited 9
circumstances when an individual cannot take advantage of such experiences and 10
extended evaluation may be utilizedincluding, but not limited to, assistive technology 11
devices and services and personal assistance services, to accommodate the 12
rehabilitation needs of the individual during the trial work experiences. 13
14
(b) Trial work. The trial work experienceexperiences shall be provided in the most 15
integrated setting possiblecompetitive integrated employment settings to the maximum 16
extent possible, consistent with the individual's informed choice and rehabilitation 17
needs, and shall be of sufficient variety and duration to determine the eligibility of the 18
individual or to determine the existence of clear and convincing evidence that the 19
individual is incapable of benefiting from VR services in terms of an employment 20
outcome. Cases may not remain in this status more than 18 months. An assessment of 21
the individual's progress is required as frequently as necessary but at least once every 22
90 days. The assessment will include periodic reports from the institution, facility or 23
person providing the services to determine the results of the provision of such services 24
and to ascertain whether the individual may be determined to be eligible or ineligible. 25
The assessment summary narrative will be recorded in the case file. 26
27
(c) Extended evaluation. Extended evaluation is available for individuals with the 28
most significant disabilities who cannot take advantage of trial work experiences or if the 29
options for trial work experiences have been exhausted before DVR or DVS is able to 30
conclude whether the applicant is able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services 31
or incapable of benefiting from VR services in terms of an employment outcome due to 32
the severity of the disability. Trial work experiences remain the first option by which to 33
assess an individual's ability to benefit from VR service. Extended evaluation is not 34
meant to be a routine alternative to trial work experiences, but is to be used only as a 35
last resort and under limited circumstances. An individual may be determined unable to 36
take advantage of a trial work experience if there is a need for substantial restoration 37
services prior to entering a work environment. Extended evaluation involves the 38
development of a written plan which provides only those services necessary to make a 39
determination of eligibility. 40
41
(d)(c) Case recording requirements. The counselor will document the case record 42
according to the criteria and recording standards in (1) - (5) of this Subsection. 43
44
(1) Justification that a trial work experience or an extended evaluation is 45
required. It is presumed that an individual can benefit in terms of an employment 46
page 55
outcome from vocational rehabilitation services unless clear and convincing 47
evidence demonstrates otherwise. The use of trial work experiences or extended 48
evaluations is to be limited solely to those extraordinary situations in which the 49
preponderance of evidence obtained in the normal manner is sufficient to challenge 50
the presumption of benefit due to the severity of the disability. Documentation and 51
case recording must clearly support the determination that this preponderance of 52
evidence exists, and that trial work experience is necessary to make the eligibility 53
determination. 54
55
(2) Written plan for trial work experiences or extended evaluations. Services 56
related to the trial work experience or extended evaluation will be planned by the 57
counselor and individual, or the individual's authorized representative. The trial work 58
experience or extended evaluation plan will describe the services necessary to 59
obtain clear and convincing evidence concerning the presumption of benefit. 60
61
(3) Termination of trial work experience or extended evaluation - eligible. 62
When an individual is determined to be eligible for services, the case is processed in 63
accordance with DRS policy. 64
65
(4) Termination of trial work experience or extended evaluation - ineligible. If 66
the trial work experience or extended evaluation provides clear and convincing 67
evidence that the individual cannot benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in 68
terms of an employment outcome due to the severity of the disability, the case may 69
be closed as ineligible in accordance with DRS policy. In addition to explaining the 70
individual's right to a review of the determination and the availability of the Client 71
Assistance Program, the counselor will make referrals to other agencies, facilities, or 72
programs as may be appropriate. 73
74
(5) Amendments. An amendment to the plan is made stating all new decisions, 75
facts, and planned services not already covered in the original trial work experience 76
or extended evaluation plan. 77
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612:10-7-24.5. Closed — Not Accepted for Services [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Not accepted for services. This status is used for closing cases in which the 3
individual is not accepted for vocational rehabilitation services, whether closed from 4
applicant status or from trial work experience or extended evaluation status. There are 5
two major categories of closure: 6
7
(1) Closure due to ineligibility. 8
9
(A) Disability too severe (from Trial Work Experience or Extended Evaluation 10
only) or unfavorable medical prognosis. 11
12
(B) No disabling condition. 13
14
(C) No impediment to employment. 15
16
(D) Rehabilitation services are not required for an employment outcome. 17
18
(2) Closure due to other reasons. 19
20
(A) Unable to locate. 21
22
(B) Moved out of state. 23
24
(C) Refused services or further services. 25
26
(D) Death. 27
28
(E) Client institutionalized. 29
30
(F) Transfer to another agency. 31
32
(G) Failure to cooperate. 33
34
(H) Transportation not feasible or available. 35
36
(I)(H) Other reasons. 37
38
(b) Personal contacts. Personal contacts are made with all persons closed in this 39
status, if possible, and the results of those contacts are recorded in a case narrative. If 40
the applicant cannot be contacted, all attempts to contact are recorded. Contacts are 41
not required if the individual has refused to participate, is no longer a resident of 42
Oklahoma, whereabouts are unknown, or the condition is rapidly progressive or 43
terminal. 44
45
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(c) Case recording requirements. All applicants whose cases are closed in this 46
status should be notified in writing, with the exceptions noted in sub-paragraph (b). A 47
case is closed due to ineligibility only with full participation of the applicant, the 48
applicant's parent, guardian, or other representative unless the individual has refused to 49
participate, is no longer a resident of Oklahoma, whereabouts are unknown, or the 50
condition is rapidly progressive or terminal. The rationale for the ineligibility decision is 51
recorded on the closure letter including the views of the applicant or appropriate 52
representative. A copy of the letter is given to the applicant or appropriate 53
representative with a detailed explanation of the services available from the Client 54
Assistance Program no matter the reason for closure. 55
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612:10-7-25.1. Order of selection [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Need for order of selection. The Department, in consultation with the Oklahoma 3
Rehabilitation Council, has determined, due to budgetary constraints or other reasoned 4
limitations, that it cannot serve all individuals who are determined eligible for DVR and DVS 5
services. The Department consults with the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council regarding the: 6
7
(1) need to establish an order of selection, including any re-evaluation of the need; 8
9
(2) priority categories of the particular order of selection; 10
11
(3) criteria for determining individuals with the most significant disabilities; and 12
13
(4) administration of the order of selection. 14
15
(b) Priority groups. It is the policy of DRS to provide vocational rehabilitation services to 16
eligible individuals under an order of selection. Under the order of selection, the 17
Department has established three priority groups on the basis of serving first those with the 18
most significant disabilities. Every individual determined to be eligible for DVR and DVS 19
services is placed in the appropriate priority group based upon the documentation used to 20
determine eligibility and/or vocational rehabilitation needs. Selection and placement in a 21
priority group is based solely upon the significance of the eligible individual's disability, and 22
is not based upon the type of disability, geographical area in which the individual lives, 23
projected type of vocational outcome, age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, or national 24
origin of the individual. The priority groups are: 25
26
(1) Priority Group 1. Eligible individuals with a most significant disability are individuals 27
with the most significant barrierbarriers to employment. A most significant barrier is one 28
that includes a severe mental or physical disabilityimpairment resulting in serious 29
limitations in three or more functional capacities and which can be expected to require 30
multiple vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of time. 31
32
(2) Priority Group 2. Eligible individuals with a significant disability are individuals with 33
significant barriers to employment. A significant barrier is one that includes a severe 34
physical or mental impairment resulting in serious limitations in at least one, but not 35
more than, two, functional capacities and which can be expected to require multiple 36
vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of time. 37
38
(3) Priority Group 3. Eligible individuals with disabilities not meeting the definition of 39
individual with a significant or most significant barrier to employment. 40
41
(c) Implementation. Prior to the start of each fiscal quarter, or when circumstances 42
require, the DRS Director will determine in which priority groups new Individualized Plans 43
for Employment will be written and initiated. The Director may restrict the writing and 44
initiation of new Individualized Plans for Employment within a priority group to cases having 45
eligibility dates falling on or before a specified date providing that all consumers in higher 46
page 59
priority groups are being served. Considerations in making this determination will include, 47
but not be limited to, the projected outcomes, service goals, expenditures, and resources 48
available for each priority group. Projected costs and resources for each priority group will 49
be based upon costs of current Individualized Plans for Employment, anticipated referrals, 50
availability of financial resources, and adequacy of staffing levels. The Director will 51
implement actions under the order of selection through written notice to DVR and DVS 52
staff. The written notice will specify the implementation date of the action and direct DVR 53
and DVS staff on how to handle cases by priority group and application date. DVR and 54
DVS staff will inform each eligible individual on their caseloads: 55
56
(1) of the priority groups in the order of selection; 57
58
(2) of the individual's assignment to a priority group; and 59
60
(3) of the individual's right to appeal that assignment. 61
62
(d) Closing and opening priority groups. When all or part of a priority group is closed, 63
designated cases within that priority group without a written IPE will be placed on a waiting 64
list after the individual has been determined to be eligible. No IPE will be written for cases 65
on the waiting list. Staff will continue to take applications, diagnose and evaluate all 66
applicants to determine eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs, find the individual 67
eligible when documentation supports such a decision, then place each eligible individual's 68
case in the appropriate priority group. If an eligible individual is placed in a closed priority 69
group, his or her case will go on the waiting list and no IPE will be written or initiated. The 70
DRS Director will notify DVR and DVS staff in writing when all or part of a closed priority 71
group is opened. When this directive includes new applicants who are found eligible, 72
individuals already on the waiting list within that same priority group will be given priority 73
over new applicants. When all or part of closed priority groups are opened, staff will contact 74
individuals on the waiting list to develop and implement their Individualized Plans for 75
Employment using the priorities in Paragraphs (1) - (3) of this Subsection: 76
77
(1) contact individuals within the highest open priority group first, Most Significant being 78
the highest of all priority groups; 79
80
(2) within each opened priority group, staff will contact individuals on the waiting list in 81
order of application date, earliest application date first; then 82
83
(3) staff will contact individuals whose cases will remain on the waiting list to explain 84
how their cases will be handled. 85
86
(e) Continuity of services. Any individual with an IPE that existed prior to the date all or 87
part of that individual's priority group was closed will continue to receive services as 88
planned. Such an IPE may be amended if the changes are necessary for the individual to 89
continue progress toward achieving an appropriate employment outcome, or are otherwise 90
necessary within policy. Persons requiring post employment services will also be provided 91
the necessary services regardless of priority group assignment. 92
page 60
93
(f) Information and referral services. Information and referral services will remain 94
available to eligible individuals who are not in an open priority group. These individuals will 95
be given information and guidance, using appropriate modes of communication, to assist 96
such individuals in preparing for, securing, retaining or regaining employment, and will be 97
appropriately referred to Federal and State programs (other than the vocational 98
rehabilitation program) including other components of the statewide workforce investment 99
system in the state. No IPE will be written to provide such services to these individuals. 100
page 61
612:10-7-45. Case statuses and case flow [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) The case management system is comprised of a logical flow from one status to 3
another as a customer progresses through the rehabilitation process. This system 4
covers the life cycle of a case from referral and application through eligibility, plan, 5
employment, closure, and post employment services. Statuses are: 6
7
(1) Application 8
9
(2) Trial Work Experience and Extended Evaluation 10
11
(3) Closed ineligible from application status 12
13
(4) Eligibility: accepted for services; plan development phase 14
15
(5) IPE developed 16
17
(6) Services completed and ready for employment 18
19
(7) Employed 20
21
(8) Closed, rehabilitated, Successful employment for at least 90 consecutive days 22
23
(9) Closed, not rehabilitated after IPE initiation 24
25
(10) Closed, not rehabilitated before IPE initiation 26
27
(11) Post employment services 28
29
(12) Post employment services completed 30
31
(b) No case action is effective until all required approvals have been obtained in 32
accordance with policy. The effective date of any case action, including closures, is the 33
date the last required approval is obtained in accordance with policy. 34
35
36
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 37
38
1. Links to policies on each case status: 39
40
Application: 612:10-7-22.1 41
Trial Work Experience and Extended Evaluation: 612:10-7-24.3 42
Closed ineligible from application status: 612:10-7-24.4, 612:10-7-24.5 43
Eligibility: accepted for services; plan development phase: 612:10-7-50, 44
612:10-7-50.1, 612:10-7-51 45
IPE developed: 612:10-7-52 46
page 62
Services completed and ready for employment: 612:10-7-55 47
Employed: 612:10-7-56 48
Closed rehabilitated, successful employment for at least 90 consecutive 49
days: 612:10-7-58 50
Closed, not rehabilitated after IPE initiation: 612:10-7-59 51
Closed, not rehabilitated before IPE initiation: 612:10-7-60 52
Post employment services: 612:10-7-62 53
Post employment services completed: 612:10-7-63 54
55
Section History 56
57
7-1-11 PT Memo #12-01 58
Permanent, Links provided in ITS 59
60
page 63
612:10-7-58. Closed Rehabilitated [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Use of Closed Rehabilitated status. A case is closed as rehabilitated because the 3
client has achieved an employment outcome as a result of vocational rehabilitation 4
services. Cases closed as rehabilitated must as a minimum meet the requirements in (1) 5
through (5) of this Subsection: 6
7
(1) the provision of services under the individual's IPE has contributed to the 8
achievement of the employment outcome; 9
10
(2) the employment outcome is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, 11
priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice; 12
13
(3) the employment outcome is in an integrated setting, consistent with the individual's 14
informed choice; 15
16
(4) the individual has maintained the employment outcome for a period of at least 90 17
days; and 18
19
(5) at the end of the appropriate period under Paragraph (4) of this Section, the 20
individual and the VR Counselor consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory 21
and agree that the individual is performing well on the job. 22
23
(b) Out of state. Clients who move out of state after services have been completed are 24
closed in rehabilitated status if the requirements in Subsection (a) of this Section can be 25
met. If those requirements cannot be met the case will be closed, not rehabilitated. 26
27
(c) Successful closure prior to completion of IPE. If employment is secured before 28
completion of the IPE, a counselor must document the conditions of substantial services 29
and suitable employment were met. If planned services are interrupted prior to achieving 30
the originally planned vocational goal, and services provided have directly contributed to 31
the employment outcome for the individual or to job retention, an IPE amendment is not 32
needed to revise the vocational goal prior to closure. A plan amendment is required when 33
there is a substantial deviation from the original employment goal. 34
35
(d) Cases closed from supported employment. An individual with the most significant 36
disabilities who is receiving supported employment services is considered to be 37
successfully rehabilitated if the individual maintains a supported employment placement for 38
a minimum of 90 days beyond stabilization. In addition to the criteria for "suitably 39
employed", the counselor must document that the individual has met or has made 40
substantial progress toward meeting the weekly work goal defined in the IPE, the client is 41
satisfied with the job, the employer is satisfied with the client’s job performance, extended 42
services are in place, all supported employment requirements have been met, and the case 43
is ready for closure. The closure documentation will address any significant differences in 44
the ultimate work week achieved as compared with the predicted goal. 45
46
page 64
(e) Cases closed from employment and retention. An individual with severe disabilities 47
who is receiving employment and retention services is considered to be successfully 48
rehabilitated when the client maintains employment for a minimum of 90 days after 49
placement, or for a minimum of 4 weeks plus 90 days if the individual required the “4 50
Weeks Job Support” Milestone. 51
52
(f) Cases closed as homemakers. A homemaker is defined as a person whose primary 53
work is performance of duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of a home. This work 54
takes place in the individual's own home, without remuneration. 55
56
(1) For homemaking to be considered as an employment outcome, primary work 57
activities must be performed by the individual and benefits derived from DVR and DVS 58
services must have improved the client's ability to function in these tasks. Homemaking 59
activities must render a significant contribution to the home. 60
61
(2) Self-care activities are not sufficient to meet the definition of homemaker. 62
63
(3) Multiple homemaking closures within the same household are prohibited. 64
65
(4) Suitable employment, substantial services and significant contribution of services to 66
vocational adjustment must be documented in the case record. 67
68
(g) Cases closed as unpaid family worker. A case may be closed as rehabilitated when 69
the individual is performing work without pay on a family farm or in a family business 70
operated by one or more members of the client's family. The case recording must include 71
the same documentation as in the case of any other rehabilitated closure but particular 72
attention is to be given to the description of the client's work activities and their regularity. 73
The record must confirm the productivity of the client and his/her contribution to the family 74
farm or business. 75
76
(h)(f) Case recording requirements. The client, or the client's authorized representative 77
as appropriate, will be a full participant in the decision to close the case. The last 78
discussion of the closure decision with the client, or the client's authorized representative, 79
will be held within 30 days of the closure, and will be documented in a case narrative. The 80
client will be notified in writing of the closure and advised of the availability of Post-81
Employment Services. 82
page 65
612:10-7-201. Rehabilitation teaching services [AMENDED] 1
2
Rehabilitation teachers provide counseling and instruction to aid clients in adjusting to 3
blindness and severe visual impairment. All clients who are legally blind, severely visually 4
impaired or have a rapidly progressive eye condition are to be referred to a rehabilitation 5
teacher. Exceptions are allowed in instances where rehabilitation teaching services have 6
been provided and the client appears to be functioning independently, or when physical 7
restoration services are planned which will likely restore the client's functioning to a level 8
which would remove the need for rehabilitation teaching. Rehabilitation teachers employed 9
by the Division of Visual Services may serve clients who are legally blind jointly with the 10
DRS counselor. 11
page 66
612:10-9-1. Philosophy and scope of program [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Blindness is a serious, disabling condition requiring adjustments in an individual's 3
lifestyle to be a fully functional member of society. The primary task of the rehabilitation 4
teacher is to provide services that enable a legally blind or severely visually impaired 5
individual to make these necessary adjustments to cope with the demands of living with a 6
severe visual impairment. 7
8
(b) The services available through the rehabilitation teaching program directed toward 9
assisting people with severe visual impairment or who are blind to live more independently 10
are: 11
12
(1) Counseling and guidance directed toward helping the consumer and/or the 13
consumer's family adjust to blindness, to understand the limitations it imposes, and to 14
make a realistic assessment of his/her capabilities. 15
16
(2) Provide evaluation and instruction in the techniques and procedures for performing 17
those tasks and activities necessary to daily living. 18
19
(3) Provide resource information and make referrals as needed for additional services. 20
21
(4) Assist the consumer in becoming oriented to his/her residence and develop a basic 22
level of safety and independence in indoor mobility. 23
24
(5) Provide instruction in the various communication media designed to enhance the 25
individual's ability to communicate with others and maintain personal and other 26
records. 27
28
(6) Assist the individual in over-coming mannerisms and behavior patterns associated 29
with low vision or blindness that are detrimentaldeterrents to social adjustment. 30
31
(7) Provide and/or arrange specialized instructional services in the areas of home and 32
personal management. 33
34
(8) Rehabilitation teaching staff must participate in the diagnosticevaluation, 35
assessment and adjustment processes in the vocational rehabilitation programprocess. 36
They must have a direct role in the development of the individualized rehabilitation 37
program and amendments. 38
39
(c) Rehabilitation teaching independent living services is a formalized program of services 40
with the purpose of enhancing the ability of an individual with a severe visual disability to 41
live independently and function within his/her family and community and, if appropriate, 42
secure and maintain employment. 43
44
page 67
(d) Independent living is defined as control of one's life based on the choice of acceptable 45
options which minimize reliance on others in decision making and in performing every day 46
activities. 47
page 68
612:10-9-2. Consumer rights [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Rights. Each person applying for services will be given full consideration of his/her 3
needs as they relate to the Rehabilitation Teaching Program. No one will be denied 4
services based on his/her age, race, sex, creed, color, or national origin. Each consumer 5
determined eligible for services through any Rehabilitation Teaching Program has the right 6
to participate in the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) or the 7
Individualized Rehabilitation Program (IRP as outlined in Section 612:10-11, Older Blind 8
Program) as well as all subsequent amendmentsplan of service. 9
10
(b) Right of appeal. The consumer has the right to appeal the decision of the 11
rehabilitation teacher, in accordance with DRS policy on due process. The teacher is 12
required to advise the consumer of the Client Assistance Program (CAP) and will provide 13
copies of such brochures in consumer's chosen format. 14
page 69
612:10-9-3. Rehabilitation teacher’s role [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) The primary goal of the rehabilitation teacher is to provide evaluation, instruction, and 3
guidance to assist individuals who are legally blind or severely visually impaired to live 4
more independently with their loss of vision. Services through the Rehabilitation Teaching 5
Program can be provided through Title I as a homemaker case or as a joint case with the 6
Rehabilitation Counselor, or through the Older Blind Program outlined in Subchapter 11. 7
8
(b) Confidentiality. All consumer information is confidential and will be treated according 9
to DRS policy. 10
page 70
612:10-9-13. Case recording [AMENDED] 1
2
A case record accurately and completely maintained can assist the rehabilitation 3
teacher in the development of an effective teaching program, provide continuity in the 4
provision of services and enable the teacher to evaluate the consumer’s progress. It also 5
serves as a legal basis for the expenditure of funds and documents actions, activities and 6
decisions of the teacher. Standard types of case recording include narratives, forms, 7
correspondence and use of use of the DRS electronic case management system. 8
page 71
612:10-9-15. Case status [REVOKED] (a) As a case moves through the rehabilitation teaching process the major activities being conducted at any given time are reflected by the status classification system, as outlined in DRS policy on case statuses.
page 72
612:10-9-17. Application Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) A case is placed in Application Status when the individual submits an application with 3
DVR or DVS in accordance with agency policy. 4
5
(b) A decision of eligibility or ineligibility must be made within 60 days of the completed 6
application unless unforeseen and exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the 7
Department indicate the need for an extension as documented on the Need for Extension 8
of Time to Determine Eligibility form. The consumer must agree an extension of time is 9
warranted after full consultation. 10
11
(c) The rehabilitation teacher will conduct an initial interview and document it in a narrative 12
summary. The consumer and/or representative will be given an explanation of consumer 13
rights and responsibilities and information about the Client Assistance Program and 14
mediation procedures in a medium which is understandable to the individual and in their 15
preferred medium. The teacher will document this in the case record. The consumer will be 16
offered the opportunity to register to vote at time of application and/or time of address 17
change. 18
page 73
612:10-9-18. Closure from Application [REVOKED] 1
2
A case will be closed from Application Status when it has been determined an applicant 3
is ineligible for rehabilitation teaching services, if the applicant fails to cooperate, moves out 4
of state, refuses services, dies, cannot be located, or if all services are being provided 5
through other resources. The teacher will document in the case recording the decision for 6
closing the case. 7
page 74
612:10-9-19. Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) The case is moved into Eligibility Status when the individual is certified as eligible. The 3
teacher will evaluate the case information and determine if the consumer meets the criteria 4
given in (1)-(3) of this Subsection. 5
6
(1) Consumer is legally and/or functionally blind or has a rapidly progressive condition 7
which is expected to result in legal blindness. If there is a difference in near and 8
distance acuity, the worse acuity is used for determination of eligibility. 9
10
(2) Consumer has identifiable deficiencies in homemaking skills due to severe vision 11
loss. 12
13
(3) It is expected services will improve the consumer's homemaking skills and 14
independence in his/her community. 15
16
(b) The teacher is responsible for making a determination of eligibility on each consumer 17
requesting rehabilitation teaching services within 60 days of application and a letter of 18
determination of eligibility will be provided in the consumer's preferred format. A 19
certification of legal blindness signed by a physician, a comprehensive functional 20
assessment provided by the rehabilitation teacher, or certificate of eligibility for talking book 21
services, can be used to document eligibility for the Rehabilitation Teaching Program. 22
23
(c) While in eligibility status, the comprehensive assessment is completed to provide a 24
basis for the formation of the consumer's IPE. The comprehensive assessment is used to 25
determine the scope and nature of services to be provided to accomplish the consumer's 26
objectives. The teacher will address the consumer's diagnosis as reported by documented 27
medical and psychological report or as determined by the teacher's evaluation. The 28
teacher will identify the specific functional limitations which prevent the individual from 29
functioning in the home or community. The teacher will describe the consumer's strengths, 30
weaknesses and how proposed services will increase the consumer's potential to achieve 31
his/her goal of homemaker. 32
33
(d) After the consumer has been determined eligible, the teacher starts the process of 34
developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). In the development of the 35
program, the teacher will make a determination of the consumer's present level of 36
adjustment and his/her physical and emotional capacities for acquiring specific adaptive 37
skills. 38
39
(1) The teacher with the consumer's participation will develop an IPE establishing a 40
homemaking objective. The goals, objectives and services provided directly or 41
indirectly will be included in the IPE. A homemaker is defined as a person whose 42
primary work is performance of duties related to the upkeep and maintenance of a 43
home. This work takes place in the individual's own home, without remuneration. 44
45
page 75
(A) The IPE can have a vocational objective of homemaker only when services will 46
directly and substantially improve the individual's ability to perform the primary 47
homemaking work activities for their home. 48
49
(B) A vocation objective of homemaker can be established for only one person 50
within the same household. 51
52
(2) The narrative recording will include documentation of the consumer's participation 53
in the development of the IPE and all pertinent information. A copy of the IPE will be 54
provided to the consumer in their preferred reading medium. 55
56
(3) The IPE must be completed and signed as soon as possible, consistent with the 57
needs of the individual, but not more than 90 calendar days following the eligibility 58
determination, unless the individual or the authorized representative and the 59
rehabilitation teacher jointly agree to an extension of time for a specific duration. 60
page 76
612:10-9-20. Service Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) Cases remain in Service Status as long as program services are being provided to the 3
consumer. While in this status, periodic narrative recordings will be entered in the case file 4
describing services being provided and the teacher's involvement. After development of 5
the IPE, the teacher will begin instructional services to address the identified objectives. 6
The consumer should expect continual instructional services until it is agreed upon by the 7
teacher and consumer that the goals have been achieved or mutual agreement for case 8
closure. 9
10
(b) In some cases, due to an alteration in the consumer's situation or needs, it may be 11
necessary to amend the original program. Program amendments are only necessary when 12
there has been a substantial change in the program effecting client services. Such 13
amendments will be developed with consumer participation and a copy of the amendment 14
will be provided the consumer in their preferred reading medium. 15
page 77
612:10-9-21. Successful Closure [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) A successful closure is when the planned program of services has been completed 3
and/or the consumer has achieved his/her homemaking goal. 4
5
(b) The client, or the client's authorized representative as appropriate, will be a full 6
participant in the decision to close the case. The last discussion of the closure decision 7
with the client, or the client's authorized representative, will be held within 30 days of the 8
closure, and will be documented in a case narrative. The client will also be given a copy of 9
the closure letter in their preferred reading format and advised of the availability of Post-10
Employment Services. The closure narrative will substantiate the services provided and 11
how they contributed to the client's function as a homemaker. 12
page 78
612:10-9-22. Unsuccessful Closure after IPE Initiation [REVOKED] 1
2
An unsuccessful closure is when it has been determined that services cannot be 3
successfully completed. The consumer or his/her representative must be informed as to 4
the reason for case closure. 5
page 79
612:10-9-24. Closed from Eligibility Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) Cases closed from Eligibility Status are those which, although accepted for 3
Rehabilitation Teaching services, did not progress to the point where services were actually 4
initiated. 5
6
(b) When a case is closed from Eligibility Status, closure is recorded in the case record 7
and a letter written to the client. The client will be given the opportunity to fully participate 8
and to express his/her views of the decision. A copy of the closure will be given to the 9
client, or as appropriate, the client's representative in the consumer's preferred reading 10
format. 11
page 80
612:10-9-25. Post-Employment Service Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) Post-Employment services may be provided to assist rehabilitated clients to retain, 3
regain, or advance in independence. These services must continue to follow the guidelines 4
delineated for homemaking services. 5
6
(b) Planning and provision of post-employment services will be assessed at initiation of the 7
IPE. Ongoing assessment continues during case services, is documented as needed, and 8
is reassessed just prior to case closure. Counseling and guidance is the primary service 9
around which all other post closure services are provided. Cases reopened on a post 10
closure basis do not require re-establishment of eligibility. Any homemaking service or 11
combination of services necessary to assist the individual to retain, regain, or advance in 12
independence, may be provided if the service(s) do not involve a complex or 13
comprehensive effort unrelated to the original IPE. If comprehensive services are 14
indicated, a new application is taken. Federal regulations forbid the setting of arbitrary time 15
limits on the provision of Post-Employment services. If the original case has been closed 16
for a long period of time, the Agency must carefully review the client's situation before 17
making the decision to provide Post-Employment services as opposed to opening a new 18
case. 19
20
(c) Decisions to terminate Post-Employment services must be made on an individual basis 21
in consultation with the client and will be recorded in the case record. The Agency will 22
need to work with the individual to achieve a satisfactory level of self-sufficiency 23
independent of post closure support. 24
25
(d) In Post-Employment Service Status an IPE and a narrative program summary are 26
developed as prescribed in policy on Eligibility Status. The same principles of client 27
involvement are required in the IPE for Post-Employment services as are required under 28
any other IPE. Case recording will be made at significant times during the process, 29
including assessment of progress and the results achieved at the completion of termination 30
of services. 31
32
(e) All cases terminated from Post-Employment Service Status will be closed in Post-33
Employment Closure status. 34
page 81
612:10-9-26. Post Employment Closure Status [REVOKED] 1
2
(a) Only those cases terminated from Post-Employment Service status can be closed in 3
this status. The case can be closed as soon as the services in the Post-Employment 4
services amendment have been completed insofar as possible and the client has been 5
consulted regarding the closure decision. 6
7
(b) Documentation of closure of Post-Employment Services is recorded into the case 8
record and a letter written to the client. 9
page 82
612:10-9-33. Communication Skills [AMENDED] 1
2
In order for the consumer to gain contact with their environment and use the tools 3
available for communication the following skills can be assessed and instruction for using 4
alternate techniques provided: 5
6
(1) Telephone usage. 7
8
(2) Handwriting. 9
10
(3) Labeling. 11
12
(4) Braille reading and writing. 13
14
(5) Time telling. 15
16
(6) Recording devices. 17
18
(7) Receptive/expressive communication. 19
20
(8) Keyboarding. 21
22
(9) Assistive technology. 23
page 83
612:10-9-34. Personal management skills [AMENDED] 1
2
The area of personal management encompasses all areas of self-care. The consumer 3
can obtain the ability to meet personal needs that will promote increased confidence and 4
independence. Evaluation and training can be accomplished in the following areas: 5
6
(1) Clothing care. 7
8
(2) Personal hygiene. 9
10
(3) Clothing identification. 11
12
(4) Health management. 13
14
(5) Money management. 15
16
(6) Eating skills. 17
18
(7) Sewing skills. 19
page 84
612:10-9-34.2 Indoor mobilityMobility within home environment [AMENDED]
Mobility is essential for a consumer losing vision to insure safe travel within his/her home environment as well as outside the home. The rehabilitation teacher can provide instructions in basic skills and make referrals to the Orientation and Mobility Specialist for specific instructions in cane skills. Pre-cane skills taught by the teacher may include:
(1) Protective techniques (2) Trailing techniques (3) Sighted guide skills (4) Location of dropped objects
Section History
7-1-11 PT Memo #12-01
Permanent, new, adding indoor mobility skills
page 85
612:10-9-34.3 Other adaptive skills [REVOKED] 1
2
Consumers who lose vision need to learn adapted techniques which will allow them to 3
participate in a variety of leisure activities. The teacher can provide instruction in the 4
following: 5
6
(1) Special reading services 7
8
(2) Arts and crafts activities 9
10
(3) Parlor games 11
page 86
612:10-9-35. Home management [AMENDED] 1
2
Training in home management will enable the consumer to gain or retain skills in 3
managing his/her household and family. This training may require the application of 4
adaptive techniques and devices in the following skills areas: 5
6
(1) Meal Preparation 7
8
(2) Kitchen organizationskills 9
10
(A) Use of kitchen appliances 11
12
(B) Kitchen organization 13
14
(C) Kitchen safety 15
16
(3) Use of Oven/Stove Top/Microwave 17
18
(4)(3) HousecleaningHousekeeping Techniques 19
20
(5)(4) Minor Home Maintenance 21
22
(6)(5) Use of Household Appliances 23
24
(7)(6) Home Safety Techniques 25
page 87
612:10-9-37. Referral for Support Services [AMENDED] 1
2
The consumer can take advantage of additional services provided through the agency 3
and referred to by the rehabilitation teacher, including: 4
5
(1) Low Vision Services 6
7
(2) Support Groups 8
9
(3) Technology Lab for Low Vision & BlindnessAssistive Technology 10
11
(4) Deaf-Blind Consultant Services 12
13
(5) Orientation & Mobility Services 14
15
(6) Older Blind Services 16
17
(7) Vocational Rehabilitation Services 18
19
(8) Personal Adjustment Training Centers 20
21
(9) Management of Secondary Disabilities 22
23
(10) Adult Blind Living Evaluation / Training Adult Program 24
25
(11) Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 26
27
(12) Other resources as identified 28
page 88
612:10-9-38. Vocational rehabilitation [AMENDED] 1
2
The consumer can receive the services of the rehabilitation teachingInstructional Services 3
program while being served through the Vocational Rehabilitation counseling program. 4
The teacherstaff member will provide comprehensive teachinginstructional services 5
necessary for the consumer to meet the employment goal. 6
7
(1) Referral from rehabilitation counselor. Consumers who are legally blind or 8
severely visually impaired receiving services through a rehabilitation counselor will be 9
referred for rehabilitationRehabilitation teachingTeaching and Orientation & Mobility (O 10
& M) services. Through the diagnosis and evaluation process the teacherstaff member 11
gathers information to aid in determining needs for teachinginstructional services. 12
13
(2) Rehabilitation teaching services in joint cases. Important services provided by 14
the teacher include evaluation and training in areas related to employment which 15
include but are not limited to consumer and family adjustment to blindness, 16
competence in communication, job readiness skills, personal management, home 17
management, and basic orientation to immediate surroundings to facilitate safe mobility 18
at home and work. 19
20
(3) Referral from rehabilitation teacher. When in the opinion of the rehabilitation 21
teacher a consumer could benefit from the services of a vocational rehabilitation 22
counselor, and the consumer wishes to pursue an employment outcome other than 23
homemaker, a written referral is made. Orientation and Mobility referral for joint 24
cases. Important services provided by the O & M Specialist include, but are not limited 25
to, evaluation and training for safe travel in the workplace, cane travel, preparation for 26
dog guide, and local transportation usage. 27
28
29
(4) Joint service status. When it is determined a consumer can benefit from both 30
teachinginstructional and counseling services the teachinginstructional staff and 31
counselor, through consultation with each other and the consumer, will each develop a 32
program of services. During the provision of services, the counselor and 33
teachinginstructional staff will share pertinent information including narrative recording, 34
through regular contact and case staffing. The formation of the instructional service 35
plan should include objectives and services to be provided. 36
37
(5) Closing joint cases. When preparing a joint case for closure, the rehabilitation 38
teachinginstructional staff and counselor will consult one another to determine 39
readiness for closure. 40
page 89
612:10-13-16. Evaluation [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) Evaluation components and conditions. To be certified as an interpreter, an 3
individual must pass ana skill based performance evaluation. The evaluationprocess for 4
certification consists of a written examination and a performance evaluation. The 5
evaluationwritten examination and performance interview willmay include items onfrom the 6
Oklahoma Quality Assurances Code of EthicsQAST Ethical Standards and the Limitations 7
of Levels. Candidates can take the evaluations for Levels I/II/III and Level IV/V on the same 8
testing date, provided the candidate submits separate applications and pays the current fee 9
for both tests. The candidate forfeits the fee for Level IV/V testing if he or she fails to 10
achieve Level III certification. Interpreters who hold Level III certification in either 11
Interpreting or Transliterating may go on to test for Level IV/Vare required to take the IV/V 12
performance evaluation, which is in compliance with the Ethical Standards. 13
14
(b) Written examination. The written examination consists of questions designed to 15
measure knowledge of interpreting and situational ethics. Applicants must make a passing 16
score, as established by the program, before being allowed to take the performance 17
evaluation. If the written test is failed, Retestingretesting may be taken only after a six 18
month waiting periodagain in 30 calendar days. 19
20
(c) Performance Evaluation. The Interpreter Certification and Resource Center (ICRC) 21
administers two performance evaluations, certification levels for category I-III and 22
certification levels for category IV/V. The performance evaluation consists of a 23
personalethical situational questions, which is called an interview, conducted by the 24
evaluation team and a skill based proficiency test, which will test the candidate’s ability to 25
interpret and transliterate interactive settings. This will test both the applicants’ ability to 26
interpret and transliterate. Individuals may request testing for levels I, II, IIIcategory levels 27
I-III or category levels IV/V. If a failing score is obtained the candidate must wait six months 28
before retesting in the same category. The six month waiting period is waived for 29
individuals who achieve Level III and apply to test for Level IV/V. In this case, application 30
will be accepted for the next available testing date. A candidate is eligible to apply in the 31
same performance category, I-III or IV-V, in four months from prior testing date. A 32
performance application can be submitted before four months and will be placed on the 33
next available evaluation date after the four months waiting period. If an interpreter obtains 34
a level III in either transliterating or interpreting, he/she is immediately eligible to apply for 35
the IV/V performance. Different tests will be used for each category. Certification will be 36
granted to an individual whose total score falls within the acceptable range for that level. 37
38
(d) Conflict of interest. Interpreter certification program staff who select, manage or 39
coordinate the certification process or select evaluators are not eligible to test for Oklahoma 40
interpreter certification through this process. 41
page 90
612:10-13-17. Evaluation team [AMENDED] 1
2
The evaluation team will consist of fourthree personstrained evaluators, with effort 3
given to have one deaf or hard of hearing evaluator on each the panel. Hearing members 4
of the evaluation team must hold a minimum of RID Nationals. Hearing evaluators of the 5
evaluation team must hold a recognized national certification or an ICRC level V/V. Either 6
certification must be in good standing with the certifying body for a minimum of one year. 7
Hearing and deaf evaluators must have been previously trained and have participated in 8
interpreter evaluations. The evaluators must attend the ICRC evaluation trainings, 9
participate in interpreter evaluations annually, and have a current contract on file with the 10
State Department of Rehabilitation Services. Evaluation team members will be selected 11
from a list of qualified individuals prepared by the Department. 12
page 91
612:10-13-18. Fees [AMENDED] 1
2
A fee will be charged to each applicant who applies for the l written test and 3
performance evaluation for state certification of an interpreter for the deaf. A yearly 4
certification maintenance fee will also be charged. Individuals failing to timely pay the 5
maintenance fee must submit a reinstatement fee and the annual certification maintenance 6
fee along with the application for reinstatement. The fee structure will be based on the cost 7
of the evaluations, materials and certificate maintenance program. 8
9
The fee for the written test is $50.00. The fee for performance evaluation is 10
$100.00$125.00. The yearly certification maintenance fee is $40.00$50.00. The 11
certification reinstatement fee is $100. Out of state residents may take the 12
written/performance test for double the fee. 13
page 92
612:10-13-20. Certification maintenance [AMENDED] 1
2
(a) General provisions for certification maintenance. Certification for levels I, II, and III 3
are good for a period of two years at which time the certification will expire or the interpreter 4
may re-test. Certification for Level IV certifications areis good for a three year period at 5
which time the certification will expire or the interpreter may re-test. Interpreters are 6
permitted to re-test before their certification has expired. Certification will remain valid for 7
an interpreter who has applied for re-evaluation and cannot be scheduled for testing prior to 8
his/her certificate's expiration date provided the application is received no later than 90 9
calendar days before the expiration date. Certification for Persons who hold Level V 10
certification areis considered to be permanentlypermanent certified. Interpreters are 11
permitted to re-test before their certification has expired. Certification will remain valid for 12
an interpreter who has applied for re-evaluation and cannot be scheduled for testing prior to 13
his/her certificate’s expiration date, provided the application is received no later than 90 14
calendar days before the expiration date. However, any certification will lapse if the 15
maintenance feesfee areis not paid and/or continuing education requirements are not met 16
by stipulated due dates, and/or if the performance application is not submitted 90 days 17
before levels expire. Individuals who have allowed either State Level IV or V certification to 18
lapse must take and pass the ICRC/QAST written portion and are required to take the level 19
I-III and receive Level III certification before applying for the Level IV/V portionbefore 20
becoming eligible for the performance evaluation. 21
22
(b) Continuing education requirements. QAST certified interpreters are required to 23
satisfy one (10 hours) Continuing Education Unit (CEU) annually, with .1 (1 hour) of this in 24
the category of Ethics. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to ensure all supportive CEU 25
documentation is submitted to the Interpreter Certification Resource Center (ICRC) staff 26
before or on December 31st, to avoid certification becoming invalid. If certification becomes 27
invalid, the individual must re-test, and will be required to take and pass the written 28
ICRC/QAST test before becoming eligible for the performance portion. 29
30
(c) Certification maintenance fee. A certification maintenance fee and maintenance fee 31
renewal form is due by January 31st each year. The renewal form must be postmarked on 32
or before January 31st to avoid certification becoming suspended. 33
34
(d) Certification suspension and reinstatement. If the certification maintenance fee and 35
renewal form are submitted after January 31st, the interpreter will become suspended, but 36
has an option to make application for reinstatement. The reinstatement application, a $100 37
reinstatement fee and payment of the annual certification maintenance fee will be required 38
for reinstatement. The reinstatement fee and certification maintenance fee are due before 39
or on February 28th to avoid certification becoming invalid. If certification becomes invalid, 40
the individual must re-test, and will be required to take and pass the written ICRC/QAST 41
test before becoming eligible for the performance portion. 42
43
(e) Expiration of certification. If an interpreter does not submit an application for re-44
testing 90 days prior to the level(s) expiration date, the interpreter’s level(s) will be 45
considered invalid on the expiration date. If level(s) become invalid, the individual must re-46
page 93
test, and will be required to take and pass the ICRC/QAST written test before becoming 47
eligible for the performance portion. If an interpreter’s certification becomes invalid twice in 48
a four (4) year period due to non-compliance with either the CEU or maintenance fee 49
requirements, the interpreter will not be allowed to take the written portion or the 50
performance portion of the ICRC/QAST test until one (1) year from the date of the second 51
documented non-compliance. 52
page 94
page 95
State of Oklahoma Commission for Rehabilitation Services Department of Rehabilitation Services
3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 200 Commission Minutes
February 12, 2018
PRESENT April Danahy, Commission Chair Emily Cheng, Vice-Chair CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 10:30 am by Commission Chair Danahy. Commissioners Danahy and Cheng were in attendance. A quorum was declared. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE The Commission Assistant confirmed the Commission for Rehabilitation Services is in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS There were no guests. PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments.
REPORTS DIRECTOR REPORT Commissioner Danahy recognized Noel Tyler. She updated the information on the Order of Selection stating there are 3,485 clients on the waiting list. She further reported with updates on People with Disabilities Awareness Day; Executive Division personnel updates; updates on Divisions within the Agency, including the Oklahoma Schools for the Blind and Deaf; and the twenty-one Agency, Cross-agency or Community partnership meetings attended by the Director. FINANCIAL STATUS REPORT Commissioner Danahy recognized Kevin Statham. He gave the Financial Status Reports for FY18 as of December 31, 2017. PERSONNEL ACTIVITY Commissioner Danahy recognized Tom Patt. He gave the personnel activity report as of January 26, 2018. LEGISLATIVE REPORT Commissioner Danahy recognized Kevin Nelson. He reported on the current budget situation at the Legislature. He distributed a watch list of agency reform bills.
page 96
UNIFIED STATE PLAN MODIFICATIONS Commissioner Danahy recognized Stephanie Roe. She reported on the State Plan including the Vocational Rehabilitation portion. The State Plan has not been finalized. OKLAHOMA REHABILITATION COUNCIL Commissioner Danahy recognized Linda Jaco, Associate Director and Director of Sponsored Programs at Oklahoma State University. She is reporting due to this position being vacant at the present time. The report included success stories to date; meetings with partnership agencies; collaboration with the Agency’s Process Improvement Unit; and various state and national committee meetings. She did announce the recent appointment of Carolina Colclasure as the Program Manager of the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. VISUAL SERVICES REPORT Commissioner Danahy recognized Tracy Brigham. She reported on updates at the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Business Enterprise Program; case statistics; and her attendance at various committees and meetings. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION REPORT Commissioner Danahy recognized Mark Kinnison. He reported on updates on case statistics; Summer transition program; work with sheltered workshops through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and agency and committee meetings.
ACTION ITEMS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 8, 2018 Commissioner Danahy asked for review and discussion with possible vote to approve the January 8, 2018 Commission for Rehabilitation Services regular Meeting Minutes.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the January 8, 2018 minutes. Commissioners voted in the affirmative. Motion passed.
OKLAHOMA LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED Commissioner Danahy recognized Kevin Treese, Program Manager, to present the January, 2018 donation report for review and discussion with possible vote for approval.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the January, 2018 donations. Commissioners voted in the affirmative. Motion passed.
OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND Commissioner Danahy recognized Rita Echelle to present the January, 2018 donation report for review and discussion with possible vote for approval.
Motion was made and seconded to approve the January, 2018 donations. Commissioners voted in the affirmative. Motion passed.
OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Commissioner Danahy recognized Larry Hawkins, Superintendent, to present the January, 2018 donation report for review and discussion with possible vote for approval
Motion was made and seconded to approve the December, 2018 donations. Commissioners voted in the affirmative. Motion passed.
page 97
PRESENTATION OF COMMISSION AWARD Commissioner Danahy presented the 2017 Commission Award to Karen Reed, of the Oklahoma School for the Blind. She was nominated by Rita Echelle, Superintendent. The Commission presented Mrs. Reed with an Oklahoma flag, which had been flown over the State Capitol, in a wooden display case. VOTE TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION The Commissioners voted to convene into Executive session. EXECUTIVE SESSION Discuss the position of the Commission Assistant authorized by the Open Meeting Act 25 O.S. § 307B.1. VOTE TO RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION The Commissioners voted to reconvene into Regular Session. NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Danahy asked if there was any New Business. There was none. ANNOUNCEMENTS Date and location of next regular meeting of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services: Monday, March 12, 2018 at10:30 a.m. Department of Rehabilitation Services 3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 ADJOURNMENT Meeting was declared adjourned by Commissioner Danahy. Respectfully submitted by Carol Brown, Assistant to the Commissioners
page 98
page 99
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