SBVI Vocational Rehabilitation Professional Disclosure Statement * All of this information can be found in writing in the information packet.
Your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor You will be working with a person who is a senior rehabilitation counselor or is supervised by one. A senior rehabilitation counselor is certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. If your assigned rehabilitation counselor is unable to continue the provision of services for any reason, you will be informed in writing of this and will have another counselor assigned to your case.
Purpose and Goal The purpose and goal of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is to provide services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them in obtaining or maintaining employment. To determine eligibility, your rehabilitation counselor will whenever possible use information that is already available from you or other sources. Your rehabilitation counselor or intake worker will likely request that you sign at least one release of information form so that more information can be gathered. Additional tests, exams, or evaluations may be necessary to determine if you qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.
Services If you are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, you and your rehabilitation counselor will jointly develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that contains a vocational goal and the services that will be provided in order to help you reach that goal. An explanation of the IPE and available services can be found in the information and application packet that is distributed to every applicant. Also outlined in your information and application packet are the steps in the VR process, your rights and responsibilities, your financial responsibility (if any) in obtaining VR services, your choices throughout the VR process, and other topics.
Services continue as planned until the employment goal has been achieved. Important limitations to the provision of services that should be noted: Your counselor is required to search for alternate funding sources for some services, All services provided must first be agreed to by both your counselor and yourself, All purchased services must be preauthorized in order for VR to pay for those services, Some services require a consideration of financial need. Depending on the results of a financial needs test, these services may require some financial participation on your part.
Confidentiality VR is required by law to maintain the privacy of individuals that are served. Information on confidentiality is contained in the information and application packet and the Department of Human Services Notice of Privacy Practices. You will also be asked to sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices which confirms that you were provided this information. Note that your vocational rehabilitation counselor may at times consult with his/her supervisor or another qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor regarding your case and services. Your hard copy casefile is maintained in this office building until services are completed and your case is closed. This casefile is then kept at this office building for 3 years after case closure, and then sent to storage where it is maintained for an additional 3 years. After that, all contents of your hard copy casefile are destroyed. Your electronic casefile is maintained indefinitely. You and your vocational rehabilitation counselor may choose to communicate electronically via email, and your counselor will follow confidentiality policy when handling electronic communication. While this is an acceptable and effective mode of communication, sensitive or private subjects may be best discussed in person or by phone.
Legal Issues If you are dissatisfied with any decision regarding your case, please contact your counselor. If the issue remains unresolved, you also have the right to administrative review, mediation, or fair hearing of this decision. If you require assistance with this process, please feel free to contact the Client Assistance Program at 1-800-658-4782. Please submit appeal requests in writing to: Assistant Director Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired East Highway 34, c/o 500 East Capitol Pierre, SD 57501