Closure The Good, Bad, and Ugly

1. ClosureThe Good, Bad, and Ugly Presented by: Wayne Dagel, MS, CRC 2012

2. 361.56   Requirements for closing the record of services of an individual who has achieved an employment outcome. The record of services of an individual who has achieved an employment outcome may be closed only if all of the following requirements are met: • (a) Employment outcome achieved. The individual has achieved the employment outcome that is described in the individual's IPE in accordance with §361.46(a)(1) and is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

3. CONTINUED • (b) Employment outcome maintained. The individual has maintained the employment outcome for an appropriate period of time, but not less than 90 days, necessary to ensure the stability of the employment outcome, and the individual no longer needs vocational rehabilitation services. • (c) Satisfactory outcome. At the end of the appropriate period under paragraph (b) of this section, the individual and the qualified rehabilitation counselor employed by the designated State unit consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory and agree that the individual is performing well in the employment. • (d) Post-employment services. The individual is informed through appropriate modes of communication of the availability of post-employment services.

4. What this means After the client has obtained employment and they are stable, the counselor will place the client into the employed status (status 22). The client’s case does not immediately close, the counselor will continue to follow the case for an additional 90 days to ensure that the client is stable and the employment is suitable.

5. What this means During that 90 day period, the counselor can continue to provide minimal services to assist the client. The following are a few examples: • Transportation – bus pass, gas allowance • Job checks – minimal hours usually < 3 hrs/week • Daycare assistance • Cultural Healing

6. What this means Throughout the 90 days, the counselor may choose to do monthly periodic reviews or may choose to not contact the client until the half way point or even at closure. In order to close the case, the counselor will need to contact the client and gather some information for closure. The case cannot be closed until this is done.

7. Required Info The counselor will need to gather the following information for the client record: • Employer name & address • Work schedule • Hourly pay rate

8. Required Info for the Client The counselor needs to inform the client that the case will be closed due to them being successfully employed for 90 or more days. The perfect case scenario will be the client thanking you profusely for the services and they are very excited about closure….

9. Continued In reality, you will probably deal with some gnashing of teeth and wailing on the phone!! Many of our clients have not experienced any success in their lives, until now. So they experience a lot of fear when faced with new situations, such as success.

10. Continued The client may not be acceptable of closure for this very reason. VR does not need to keep an individual’s case open if this is the situation. The case can be closed without the consent of the client. Counselors please be very aware of this and do not carry this across every case…some cases do need to be kept open and services continued due to bad job fits.

11. Continued Ok, now that you’re past the gnashing of teeth, the client needs to be informed of closure date and that they will be receiving a letter informing them that the case is closed with VR. At this point you can discuss post employment services and how they can be accessed if needed.

12. Continued The counselor will need to inform the client of the Appeal Process in case the client feels the closure is not appropriate. The counselor is also required to provide the contact information for the Client Advocate Program.

13. Continued The following is a check list of required topics the client needs to be informed of at closure: • Case Closure • Appeal Rights and Process • Client Advocate Program Contact Info • Post Employment Services – what & how • Ability to re-apply for services in the future

14. The slide you have been waiting for We have come to the final slide of all of my power points, so I’m sure you know the drill by now…. QUESTIONS???