TVR Journey Guide

Relationship Building and Cultural Significance Checklist 

• Create and implement a culturally appropriate TVR model. 
• Adopt a holistic perspective in all participant interactions.  
• Integrate cultural humility in service delivery. 
• Assess and enhance organizational capacity to meet community cultural needs. 
• Maintain confidentiality and accountability in service delivery. 

Tools:

• Example of Cultural Humility
• Example of a Culturally Appropriate TVR Model (Navajo Nation Tribe VR Program) 
• Example of a Culturally Appropriate TVR Model (Hopi Tribe VR Program) 

Critical Connections and Collaboration Checklist 

• Build strong relationships with participants, families, and community partners. 
• Provide clear, culturally respectful guidance to support informed choice. 
• Develop consistent outreach strategies tailored to the community. 
• Establish efficient information and referral systems (e.g., referral forms, orientation practices). 
• Coordinate with State VR agencies, employers, and service providers to maximize resources. 
• Create and distribute a program brochure with culturally appropriate messaging. 
• Create a referral form and supporting documentation for participants and partners. 
• Develop Client Assistance Program (CAP) literature to inform participants of their rights. 
• Build and maintain a network of community resources and agency partners. 
• Adopt measures that ensure accountability in response to cultural practices. 

Tools:

• Example of a community event flyer for outreach
• Letter to Service Provider
• Sample Referral Form
• Examples of project brochure language
  • Example 1
  • Example 2
  • Example 3
  • Example 4
• Informed Choice Example
• Sample policy and procedures for outreach and referral

Tools for the TVR Journey Checklist 

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment covering the “Great Eight.” 
• Establish trust and cultural sensitivity in the intake process. 
• Ensure applications are complete and eligibility determined within required timelines. 
• Provide flexibility for trial work experiences and re-application when appropriate. 
• Maintain clear, timely, and culturally responsive case note documentation. 
• Secure participant records to uphold confidentiality. 

Tools:

• Sample Comprehensive Assessment (Great Eight) form 
• Example intake/initial interview guide with culturally responsive prompts 
• Sample TVR application template with eligibility requirements 
• Case note documentation tip sheet and format examples 

Gathering Essential Information and Moving Forward Checklist 

• Obtain a signed Release(s) of Information (ROI). 
• Collect documentation to support eligibility (medical records, Tribal enrollment, address, etc.). 
• Obtain SSI/SSDI documentation if applicable. 
• Complete the comprehensive assessment. 
• Compile functional limitations from existing data or new assessments. 
• Request additional assessments as needed (medical, vocational, psychological, cultural, etc.). 
• Develop a preliminary list of services for IPE. 
• Create an eligibility determination case note. 
• Create an IPE development case note with justification for the employment goal. 
• Provide the applicant with written eligibility/ineligibility decision letter. 
• Deliver CAP information when ineligible determination is made. 

Tools:

• Eligibility Determination Presentation 
• Eligibility/Ineligibility Determination Tool 
• Eligibility Determination Case Note or Closure Before Eligibility Case Note examples 
• Sample Eligibility templates 
  • Sample 1
  • Sample 2
• Functional Capacity Limitations
• Presumptive Eligibility
• Eligibility Criteria

Tools for Mapping the TVR Journey Checklist 

• Employment goal has been identified. 
• Determination and application of comparable benefits completed. 
• SSI/SSDI documentation obtained if applicable. 
• Comprehensive Assessment completed and referenced. 
• Functional limitations compiled from data/assessments. 
• List of necessary services developed. 
• Eligibility Determination Case Note created. 
• IPE Development Case Note created with justification for employment goal. 
• Participant and counselor have signed/delivered accessible IPE copy. 
• Supervisor approval obtained (if required). 

Tools

• Sample Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) template 
  • Sample 1
  • Sample 2
• IPE Case Note example 
• File Folder Organization Guide 
• VR Services List
• Transition Services
• PreEts and Transition Desk Guide
• TVR Subsistence Plan

Tools for Support Throughout the TVR Journey Checklist 

• Note start and completion dates of TVR services in the IPE. 
• Maintain contact with participants to monitor progress toward employment outcomes. 
• Explain participant responsibilities and the requirement for active engagement in IPE services. 
• Identify and document comparable services and benefits. 
• Record participant informed choice and expected outcomes in case notes. 
• Amend the IPE as services are added, changed, or completed. 
• Authorize payment for goods and services per project policy. 
• Document provision and outcomes of participant services in case notes. 

Tools

• IPE Service Implementation Guide 
• IPE Amendment Templates 
• Case Note Documentation Tips 

Tools for Empowering Life Success and Interdependence Checklist 

• Participant employment goal achieved. 
• Participant achieves 90 consecutive days of employment in job placement. 
• Successful participant closure document completed. 
• All IPE services provided and documented in case notes. 
• Closure justification case note placed in case file. 
• Supporting documentation of employment placed in case file. 
• Case closure letter mailed to participant. 
• Self-advocacy goals and community resource supports documented. 
• Self-employment or subsistence activity supports tracked and recorded. 

Tools

• TVR-SET toolkit for self-employment (website)
• Employment/Successful Closure Presentation
• Successful Closure Form templates
• Unsuccessful Closure Checklist
• Record retention and confidentiality policies 
  • Example 1
  • Example 2
• Case Closure Types
• Job Support Services

Continued Resiliency Checklist 

• Employment goal achieved. 
• Participant maintained minimum 90 days of employment. 
• Compensation verified and comparable to non-disabled peers. 
• Successful closure document completed. 
• Closure letter mailed to participant. 
• All post-employment IPE services completed. 
• IPE amended to include post-employment services. 
• Post-employment closure case note added to file. 
• Supporting documentation of employment added to file. 

Tools

• AIVRS Case File Review Tool

• Trial Work Experience
• Intake Process
• Culturally Appropriate Intake Resource
• Comprehensive Assessment
• IPE Development presentation 
• 30 Day Placement Plan
• IPE Roadmap to Employment
• Provision of Services: Maintenance