Narrative: d. 2. D.

The mission of IVRS is to provide expert, individualized services to Iowans with disabilities to achieve their independence through successful employment and economic support.

The determination of eligibility requires that a qualified rehabilitation professional employed by IVRS perform a comprehensive analysis of the disabling conditions, impediments to employment and justification of why the individual requires services from IVRS to be successfully employed. As such, an eligibility justification is a process for the rehabilitation counselor to learn about the individual’s presenting disability and gain understanding of the implications. Through a process of analysis, the IVRS counselor must consider the impact of the disabling conditions upon the person’s ability to work, and then synthesize the information to determine if the individual can be successful with IVRS simply providing technical assistance and consultation to existing systems or if the individual requires intensive services to be successful in employment. A thorough process of developing an understanding from the individual’s point of view, analyzing the information and synthesizing it in relationship to IVRS requirements and then determining the priority of service and service needs involves:

1. Gather information that describes the individual’s disability and the difficulty the individual is having in gaining access to services and supports to be successful in employment; 2. Analyze the information in relationship to the individual’s ability to prepare for, obtain, maintain and advance in employment and how the individual can access services and supports that exist to more fully understand the implications of the individual’s disability upon employment; 3. Consider those impediments that have been identified to determine the seriousness on the individual’s ability to prepare for, obtain, maintain or advance in employment as well as the timeframe required to successfully complete services and obtain employment that could not otherwise be obtained from other organizations; and, 4. Determine the priority for services by examining the seriousness and evaluating if the serious impediment has implications in preparing for, obtaining, maintaining or advancing in employment and the specialized services and supports that are necessary for the individual to be successful. Scope of services: Scope of services are provided to individuals who have a priority rating consistent with the category being served. All other IVRS eligible individuals will be placed on a waiting list. Students on the waiting list may receive pre–employment transition services but no expenditure may be authorized on the case record.

As appropriate to the vocational needs of each individual and consistent with each individuals’ informed choice, VR must ensure that the appropriate rehabilitation services are available to assist the individual with the disability to prepare for secure, retain, regain or advance employment. These services should be consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choices. IVRS may determine that a student is no longer eligible for services and close the case if an error in determination was made.

Note: Parental consent is not needed for the initial meeting between student and IVRS staff or any related initial follow–up meetings. Written and parental consent is needed for completion of the IVRS application for students under the age of 18 and can be obtained after the initial meeting.

All school personnel, including school nurses, shall share educational information of students with disabilities, including electronic access to IEPs, when appropriate and necessary for IVRS services. This shall include referrals to IVRS. Similarly, the IVRS staff shall share relevant information about students with disabilities when appropriate and necessary to facilitate the integration and coordination of transition services from school to post–secondary education and/or employment.

IVRS staff may have access to relevant special education data and related systems in order to ease provision and documentation of services.