Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 582 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES › Division 80 - VENDOR SELECTION POLICIES › Section 582-080-0020 - Standards for Selection of Vendors

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
The following standards supplement any other requirements that
				may apply to the same vendors. In all instances, the authorizing vocational
				rehabilitation counselor (with the guidance of the Field Services Manager) has
				the primary responsibility to assure that the vendor is on the OVRS approved
				vendor list and meets the applicable standards. When there is no client
				preference or circumstances which would dictate otherwise, vendor choice will
				be made from the pool of approved vendors available in the community, moving
				consecutively through the list in alphabetical order:
(1) Licensed professional individuals --
			 (physicians, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, academic teachers, etc.).
			 Licensable professional individuals must be licensed by the appropriate state
			 licensing boards as required by law to provide services as private
			 practitioners. It is the responsibility of the vocational rehabilitation
			 counselor to use only licensed individuals. If the vocational rehabilitation
			 counselor has reason to believe that a professional vendor is not appropriately
			 licensed, the counselor is to discontinue further use until the matter can be
			 cleared by OVRS. For additional requirements refer to OAR 582-010-0005  through
			 582-010-0030.
(2) Service
			 organizations -- (hospitals, medical groups, mental health clinics, child care
			 facilities, placement agencies, group homes, foster homes, nursing homes,
			 sheltered workshops, community rehabilitation programs, etc.). Service
			 organizations must be qualified under state law or certified or accredited by a
			 recognized state or national organization or be official arms of state or local
			 government, and/or approved under the terms of OAR Chapter 582 for vendor
			 selection. For all practicing groups of licensable, certifiable or other
			 professionals, sections (1), (5), and (6) of this rule apply. For additional
			 requirements pertaining to providers of community rehabilitation services refer
			 to OAR 582-010-0005  through 582-010-0030.
(3) Commercial vendors -- (supplies or
			 material goods, transportation, insurance, shipping, and other commercial
			 services, etc.). Commercial vendors must conform to all applicable state
			 licensing requirements. All purchases will be made in accordance with state
			 purchasing policies. In addition, the vendor must be able to provide the
			 requested goods and services at the levels of quantity and quality and in the
			 required time period authorized by the vocational rehabilitation
			 counselor.
(4) Training vendors --
			 (universities, community colleges, proprietary schools and OJT trainers, and
			 correspondence schools, etc.). Training vendors must conform to all applicable
			 licensing requirements. OVRS will only refer eligible individuals for
			 vocational training to those schools and programs specified in 582-070-0020(3).
			 Degree granting academic institutions must be accredited by a regional or
			 national accrediting organization. Except when circumstances such as overall
			 cost or specific need of a client justify otherwise, state-supported schools
			 are used. OVRS conducts studies based on periodic sampling of training vendors
			 to assure acceptable quality, reasonable costs, and effective results from the
			 services provided. The studies may, on an annual basis, include a review of
			 factors such as cost, utilization levels and rehabilitation survival rates for
			 each community rehabilitation program or major training vendor used. OJT
			 vendors will only be utilized if the vocational rehabilitation counselor and
			 (as appropriate) the counselor's supervisor are assured in terms of their
			 professional judgment, that the trainer/employer can deliver the training
			 services as per the terms of the OJT contract.
(5) Certified professionals -- (interpreters
			 for the deaf, psychological and vocational counselors, occupational therapists,
			 etc.). Certifiable professionals must possess a current certificate from a
			 recognized state or national professional association or organization. If the
			 vocational rehabilitation counselor questions the validity of the credentials,
			 the counselor should refer the matter to the CRP Coordinator for
			 guidance.
(6) Non-certified or
			 non-licensed professionals -- (e.g. tutors, peer mentors). In instances where a
			 professional individual is not subject to licensing requirements or the OVRS
			 approval process for providers of community rehabilitation services, the
			 qualifications of the vendor must be determined to the satisfaction of the
			 authorizing vocational rehabilitation counselor, the client and (as
			 appropriate) the counselor's supervisor prior to the authorization of services.
			 In addition:
(A) Peer mentors and tutors must
			 be approved by the CRP Coordinator prior to placement on the Approved Vendor
			 List;
(B) OVRS requires that tutors
			 and peer mentors comply with DHS criminal history checks at the time of
			 application for placement on the Approved Vendor List, re-application for
			 placement on the Approved Vendor List, and if required by OVRS as a result of
			 information received about vendor qualifications, behavior or performance;
			 and
(C) OVRS requires that peer
			 mentors submit proof of insurance at the level established under Department of
			 Administrative Services guidelines.