2006 Code of Virginia § 51.5-18 - Services for individuals

51.5-18. Services for individuals.

A. Vocational rehabilitation services provided by the Department shalladdress comprehensively the individual needs of each client to the maximumextent possible with resources available to the Department, through thefollowing:

1. An assessment for determining eligibility and vocational needs byqualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnelskilled in rehabilitation technology;

2. Counseling and guidance, including information and support services toassist an individual in exercising informed choice, and referral necessary tohelp applicants or clients to secure needed services from other agencies;

3. Diagnosis and treatment of physical or mental impairments, including:

a. Corrective surgery or therapeutic treatment necessary to correct orsubstantially modify a physical or mental condition that constitutes asubstantial impediment to employment, but that is of such a nature thatcorrection or modification may reasonably be expected to eliminate or reducesuch impediment to employment within a reasonable length of time;

b. Necessary hospitalization in connection with surgery or treatment;

c. Prosthetic and orthotic devices;

d. Eyeglasses and visual services as prescribed by qualified personnel whomeet state licensure laws and who are selected by the client;

e. Special services (including transplantation and dialysis), artificialkidneys, and supplies necessary for the treatment of clients with end-stagerenal disease; and

f. Diagnosis and treatment for mental and emotional disorders by qualifiedpersonnel who meet state licensure laws.

4. Vocational and other training services, including the provision ofpersonal and vocational-adjustment services, books, tools, and other trainingmaterials, except that no training services provided at institutions ofhigher education shall be paid for with funds under this chapter unlessmaximum efforts have been made to secure grant assistance in whole or partfrom other funding sources;

5. Maintenance for additional costs incurred while participating in anassessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs orwhile receiving services under an individualized plan for employment;

6. Transportation, including adequate training in the use of publictransportation vehicles and systems that is provided in connection with theprovision of any other services described in this section and needed by theclient to achieve an employment outcome;

7. Services to members of a client's family when such services are necessaryto assist the client to achieve an employment outcome;

8. Interpreter services provided by qualified personnel for clients who aredeaf or hard-of-hearing and reader services for clients determined to beblind, after an examination by qualified personnel who meet state licensurelaws;

9. Rehabilitation technology, including telecommunications, sensory and othertechnological aids and devices;

10. Job-related services, including job search and assistance, job retentionservices, follow-up services, and follow-along services;

11. Specific post-employment services necessary to assist the client toretain, regain, or advance in employment;

12. Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, and initial stocks and supplies;

13. On-the-job or other related personal assistance services provided while aclient is receiving other services described in this section;

14. Supported employment services which include providing a rehabilitation orother human services agency staff person to assist in job placement, job sitetraining and job follow-through for the disabled employee;

15. Technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct marketanalyses, develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources to theextent such resources are authorized to be provided through the statewideworkforce investment system, to eligible clients pursuing self-employment ortelecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employmentoutcome; and

16. Transition services for students with disabilities that facilitate theachievement of the employment outcome identified in the individualized planfor employment.

B. Written standards shall be established by the Commissioner detailing thescope and nature of each vocational rehabilitation service authorized herein,the conditions, criteria and procedures under which each service may beprovided, and the use of entitlements and other benefits to access theseservices, when appropriate.

C. In providing the foregoing services, the Department shall determinewhether comparable services and benefits are available under any otherprogram unless such a determination would interrupt or delay the progress ofthe client toward achieving the employment outcome identified in theindividualized plan for employment, an immediate job placement, or theprovision of such service to any client at extreme medical risk.

(1985, c. 421, 51.01-18; 1989, c. 181; 1992, c. 755; 2001, c. 483; 2002, c.46.)