Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Information and Referral

Summary
The Information and Referral policy describes the nature and scope of information and referral services Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides.

Relevant Laws, Rules, or Policies
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34
The Rehabilitation Act

Effective Date
3/1/2006

Last Updated
9/27/2022

Contact
Heather Farmer, Heather.Farmer@state.mn.us
Tel 612.414.9668
Fax 651.297.5159

Policy

Vocational Rehabilitation Services will ensure that individuals with a disability, including individuals who are on the waiting list, are provided accurate vocational rehabilitation information and guidance (which may include counseling and referral for job placement) using appropriate modes of communication to assist them in preparing for, securing, retaining, advancing in, or regaining competitive integrated employment.

All persons with disabilities seeking employment assistance through the CareerForce system will have access to the following:

limited consultation and guidance from Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff
use of the resource room
workshops offered by Vocational Rehabilitation Services and other partners
labor market information, information and referral to community resources
job referrals and job clubs

Vocational Rehabilitation Services will provide an orientation to explain to interested individuals that the purpose of the vocational rehabilitation program is to assist people to achieve an employment outcome.

An employment outcome means entering, advancing in, or retaining full time or, if appropriate, part time competitive integrated employment, including customized employment, self-employment, or supported employment, that is consistent with an individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

Competitive integrated employment means work performed on a full time or part time basis, with or without supports, for which an individual is:

Paid at or above the federal or state or local minimum wage, whichever is highest, and is paid at or above the customary rate and is eligible for the same level of benefits as persons without disabilities doing similar work and with comparable training, skills, and experiences with that employer;
At a location: typically found in the community, and where the employee with a disability interacts, for purpose of performing their job duties, with colleagues and others (e.g., vendors and customers) without disabilities in similar positions (not including supervisors or individuals providing services to the employee) within the work unit and the entire work site, and
Presented, as appropriate, with opportunities for advancement that are similar to those available to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services will provide information concerning employment options and vocational rehabilitation services in integrated settings. Services can be provided in a non-integrated setting if necessary to prepare for competitive integrated employment. However, if it is necessary for services to be provided in a non-integrated setting, staff must consult with their supervisor prior to arranging for related assessment services or including these services on a trial work or employment plan.

All persons with disabilities seeking employment assistance through the CareerForce system will have access to the resource room, workshops, labor market information, information and referral to community resources, job referrals, and job clubs.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services will advise individuals about the Client Assistance Project and how to contact them.

When an individual with a disability makes an informed choice not to pursue competitive integrated employment, the vocational rehabilitation counselor must make a determination that the person is either not eligible (if they are an applicant) or no longer eligible (if they were previously determined eligible) for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program. At that point, the individual must be referred to other community resources that may be better suited to assist them in achieving the chosen employment goal.

Before making the referral, staff must:

Explain to the individual that the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program is designed to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment,
Provide information regarding availability of employment options and vocational rehabilitation services to assist the individual to achieve competitive integrated employment,
Inform the individual that services can be provided in a non-integrated setting, if necessary, for training or preparing for an employment outcome in an integrated setting,
Inform the person that they can reapply to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program at a later date to pursue competitive integrated employment, and
Refer the individual, as appropriate, to the Social Security Administration (SSA) so they can receive information about the receipt of SSA benefits while working.

When making referrals, Vocational Rehabilitation Services will provide the individual with the following information:

A notice of the referral by Vocational Rehabilitation Services to the agency carrying out the program,
Information identifying a specific point of contact within the agency carrying out the program, and
Information and advice regarding the most suitable services to assist the individual to prepare for or obtain employment.

Related Links
Client Assistance Project (CAP)

Alternate formats such as Braille, audio-visual and large print are available upon request.