Section 595.10  General Applicability

 

a)         Rules contained within this Part are applicable to all closures of customers' cases in the DHS-DRS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. 

 

b)         Closure of a customer's case shall be done:

 

1)         any time in the VR process when the counselor has determined the appropriate standards of this Part have been met; or

 

2)         any time in the process at the customer's request.

 

c)         A customer who is dissatisfied with any determination made by the counselor under this Part may request a timely review of the determination.  The process of the review shall follow 89 Ill. Adm. Code 510 (Appeals and Hearings).

 

d)         At the time of case closure, the customer shall be provided a written notice of the following rights:

 

1)         The availability of and information on how to contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP).  This information shall include a notice that CAP may provide assistance during any appeal or mediation.

 

2)         The customer's right to an impartial hearing and to pursue mediation of the issue.

 

3)         Information on how a mediator or impartial hearing officer will be selected. 

 

4)         The contact information for the DHS Hearings Coordinator with whom requests for mediation or impartial hearing may be filed.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 12113, effective July 10, 2012)

 

Section 595.20  Closure Prior to Determination of Eligibility

 

A case may be closed, prior to making an eligibility determination, if the customer declines to participate or is unable to complete an assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services.  DHS-DRS shall make a reasonable number of attempts to contact the customer to encourage participation.

 

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 12113, effective July 10, 2012)

 

 

Section 595.30  Non-Rehabilitation Closure

 

A customer's case may be closed any time the counselor has determined that any of the following are present:

 

a)         the customer is no longer interested in receiving services;

 

b)         the customer cannot be located, is otherwise unavailable for services for an extended period of time, or has died;

 

c)         the customer is determined ineligible. When ineligibility is determined, the counselor shall:

 

1)         provide an opportunity for full consultation with the customer;

 

2)         inform the customer, in writing and by other means if appropriate, of his or her ineligibility determination and the reasons for the determination, and inform the customer of his or her appeal rights (see Section 595.10);

 

3)         refer the customer to other training or employment related programs that are part of the service delivery system under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 USC 3101 et seq.); and

 

4)         review any ineligibility determinations made after a period of trial work that the customer is incapable of achieving an employment outcome,  if requested by the customer, within 12 months and annually thereafter.  This review need not be completed when:

 

A)        the customer has refused a review;

 

B)        the customer's whereabouts are unknown; or

 

C)        the medical condition is rapidly progressing or terminal.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16237, effective August 8, 2018)

 

Section 595.40  Closure of a Customer Who has Achieved the Employment Outcome of the IPE

 

A determination that the customer has achieved an employment outcome must meet all the following criteria:

 

a)         The customer has achieved the employment outcome described in the customer's IPE and the employment outcome:

 

1)         is consistent with the customer's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choices;

 

2)         is Competitive Integrated Employment that includes supported employment and customized employment; and

 

3)         includes substantial services to the customer;

 

b)         The customer has maintained the employment outcome for an appropriate period of time, not less than 90 days, necessary to ensure the stability of the employment outcome after closure, and no longer needs VR services; 

 

c)         At the end of this appropriate period, the customer and the qualified rehabilitation counselor employed by DHS-DRS consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory and agree that the customer is performing well on the job; and

 

d)         The customer is informed of the availability of post-employment services.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16237, effective August 8, 2018)

 

Section 595.50  Employment Outcomes

 

Employment outcomes, as defined in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 521.20, must be consistent with an individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. The following may be considered as employment outcomes for a VR customer:

 

a)         Customized employment;

 

b)         Self-employment;

 

c)         Telecommuting;

 

d)         Business ownership;

 

e)         Supported employment; or

 

f)         Vending Facility Program for the Blind (89 Ill. Adm. Code 650).

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16237, effective August 8, 2018)