Code of Maine Rules › 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR › 152 - BUREAU OF REHABILITATION SERVICES › Chapter 1 - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rules › Section 152-1-9 - VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Maine DVR will provide, as appropriate to the vocational
				  rehabilitation needs of each eligible individual, and consistent with each
				  individual's informed choice, any goods or services determined necessary for
				  the individual to achieve an employment outcome and are documented in an IPE or
				  are necessary as part of the comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation needs.
				  Services that are of sufficient quality will be provided, as cost effectively
				  as possible. Core services are defined as all services included in 9.1 to 9.14,
				  but are not limited to:
1. An
				assessment for determining eligibility, priority for services, and for
				determining vocational rehabilitation needs;
2. Vocational rehabilitation counseling and
				guidance and job related services, including job search and placement
				assistance, customized employment, job coaching, job retention services,
				follow-up services, and follow-along services.
3. Referral and other services necessary to
				help applicants and eligible individuals secure needed services from other
				agencies, and to advise those individuals about the Client Assistance
				Program,
4. Physical and mental
				restoration services necessary to correct, or to substantially modify, a
				physical or mental condition of an individual that is stable or slowly
				progressive. In the purchase of medical goods or services, Maine DVR uses the
				prevailing Maine Medicaid Assistance fee schedule, except for certain
				diagnostic services
.
5. Home modification services, which may
				include those adaptive devices and structural changes necessary for the
				eligible to function independently, in order to achieve a vocational goal.
				Funds for home modifications may not be applied to the purchase or construction
				of a new residence. The DVR expenditure limit is $10,000 for homes owned by an
				individual and/or family, or $5000 for a rental property. Exceptions to the
				financial limit for home modifications are allowable if individual client needs
				cannot be addressed within the specified financial limit.
6. Post-Secondary, Vocational and
				Occupational Training Services;
A.
				Degree-Granting programs: Post-secondary training is that training offered by
				accredited institutions which qualify for federal financial student aid; and,
				is provided only when necessary to achieve an employment outcome consistent
				with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities,
				capabilities and informed choice.
(1)
				Financial Considerations
(a) Maine DVR's
				contribution will be based upon the degree granting institution's Financial Aid
				Office (FAO) needs analysis, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor's
				examination of actual costs and disability related expenses. DVR's contribution
				toward post-secondary training may not be provided unless maximum efforts have
				been made to secure assistance in whole, or in part, from the Federal Financial
				Student Aid Program and other sources. An individual must make and provide
				evidence of a reasonable effort to resolve grant awards and student loans in
				default prior to obligation of DVR funds. When an individual owes a refund on a
				previous grant award or has a student loan in default, has limited or no
				financial resources, has made a reasonable repayment effort, and still fails to
				reach an agreement with the lender/grantor, it may be reasonable to conclude
				that maximum effort has been made to secure grant assistance.
(b) Students are encouraged to make their own
				choice of educational institutions that have both the academic programs and
				disability related supports needed to help them reach the vocational goal in
				their IPE, whether they are public or private or in-state or out of state
				institutions. DVR will provide funding in a cost-effective manner ensuring
				sufficient quality to meet the student's needs. However, the maximum Maine DVR
				contribution will not exceed the current rate for tuition, fees, on-campus room
				and board, and related expenses at the Community College Program minus Pell
				Grant and expected student and family contribution for the first two (2) years
				or equivalent credit hours; except when the individual's disability related
				needs and/or vocational goal can be met only by a more costly available
				post-secondary vocational training opportunity. For students pursuing a
				Bachelor's degree the remaining course work will be funded up to the University
				of Maine current rate for tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, and related
				expenses minus grant assistance and expected family contribution.
(c) Maine DVR's contribution may not exceed
				the maximum DVR determined contribution of actual costs plus disability related
				expenses. Disability related expenses are defined as specific assistive
				technology, or other disability related goods and services that are required to
				accommodate the individual with disabilities while in attendance at, living on
				campus, and/or commuting to the post-secondary institution. The responsibility
				for reasonable accommodations for DVR clients attending postsecondary training
				is specified in the current Memorandum of Understanding with the University of
				Maine System and the Maine Community College System.
(d) DVR's contribution cannot replace the
				Family contribution, except if the individual in need of the service has been
				determined eligible for Social Security benefits under titles II or XVI
				(SSI/SSDI) of the Social Security Act. Recipients of SSI/SSDI are not subject
				to a financial means test.
(e)
				When appropriate, Maine DVR shall encourage individuals with disabilities to
				participate in the cost of attendance through the use of scholarships, college
				work study and/or student loans. However, individual DVR clients will not be
				required to apply for scholarships or accept student loan and/or college work
				study. If the student is awarded scholarships and/or accepts a student loan,
				DVR will consider actual costs and unmet need when determining DVR
				contributions towards the cost of post-secondary training.