Narrative: d. 2. E.

VRS purchases services such as vocational evaluation, skill training, internships, job development and job placement, on-the-job training, and time-limited job coaching. Services must be consistent with an employment plan developed between counselor and customer, based on the consumer’s informed choices and offered in integrated settings.

Written Assurances Providers must provide written assurances about their organizational missions, operations (including audits and lines of authority), staff development and qualifications, services, fees, populations served, standards of professional practice, and adherence to customers’ employment plans. They must also provide written assurance regarding vendor compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Minnesota Human Rights Act and other employment law on individual rights, accessibility, occupational health and safety, and data privacy.

Two Categories of Providers Minnesota distinguishes between two categories of vendor: the limited use provider and the unlimited use community rehabilitation program (CRP). This arrangement permits wide selection of services and system flexibility and emphasizes the use of providers accredited by the national Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Limited Use Providers Limited use providers (those without CARF accreditation) introduce competition to the rehabilitation marketplace and provide an entry point for new providers in response to an unmet or emerging service need. They are typically small organizations with small caseloads, limited to a narrow range of specialized services such as intensive job placement or job coaching for individuals with a particular disability. Some are private, for-profit entities. VRS uses the services of 42 limited-use providers. Contracts are limited to $20,000 annually.

CARF-accredited CRPs An unlimited use CRP must be accredited by CARF for the services they provide. Professional/Technical Contracts, detailing services and specific fee schedules, are negotiated, with the engagement of VRS area managers and counseling staff. VRS management reviews the agreement for approval or modification. VRS currently has 60 Professional/Technical Contracts with CRPs statewide. VRS employs a program specialist to help maintain a mutually supportive professional relationship and to negotiate modifications to agreements with CRPs. VRS and CRPs work together to promote mutually held goals, including:

• Develop and maintain choices for consumers.

• Meet workforce needs identified by the state’s employers.

• Ensure that services are provided in integrated settings.

• Facilitate state-level planning and coordination of training needs of CRP staff.

• Facilitate communication between VRS and CRP staff at the administrative level.

• Increase CRP awareness of vocational rehabilitation issues at state and national levels.

• Identify and provide training for CRP and VRS staff.

VRS has an active CRP Advisory Committee to assist in achievement of these common goals. Priority topics discussed in 2017 included discussion of Performance Based Agreement redesign and definitions for inclusion in DEED-VRS Professional and Technical Contracts, expanding Customized Employment capacity in Minnesota, Funding Customized Employment, Strategies for continued system transformation, Department of Human Services (DHS) new Waiver Services discussion, WIOA Section 511, Developing and Retaining Placement Professionals.