IPE Development

The IPE is the initiation of service provision and the primary focal point in the first 90 days following eligibility determination. It is important to take the necessary steps to ensure the timely development of the IPE and promptly address any issues that may cause a delay. During the IPE development, the participant and VR counselor will identify goods and services to address any barriers to employment. The VR counselor will also share information with the participant about their rights, the availability of Client Assistance Program (CAP) services, comparable services and benefits, and any additional information necessary to exercise informed choice as requested by the participant or authorized representative.

The IPE should include the following information:

• vocational goal
• objectives to meet vocational goal
• process to assess completion of objectives
• services required to reach vocational goal (e.g., vocational training, traditional healing services, comparable services and benefits from other agencies; see list of services in the Tools folder)
• responsibilities of participant
• responsibilities of AIVRS project
• responsibilities of agency/program providing comparable services and benefits
• personal assistance
• assistive technology
• post-employment services
• SPED IEP/504 plan
• supported employment statement

The following participant information is vital to the completion and documentation of the IPE:

• education, employment, and health history
• the participant’s functional capacities
• available and relevant vocational training and education options based on participant interest (list of services, job family category, etc.)

During the development of the IPE, the VR counselor should keep in mind the following when providing information to the participant, so as to ensure their ability to exercise informed choice:

• The participant has a right to engage in and make decisions about the case.
• The desired outcome is employment in a competitive integrated work setting.
• There is an expectation of achieving the goals in the IPE that will lead to employment.
• The vocational services required to achieve the vocational goal of the IPE should be reasonable and necessary.
• Participants should know and understand the responsibilities of the AIVRS project, as well as the costs associated with the planned services.
• Timelines, such as projected start date and end dates, should be discussed with the participant.

“IPE extension” refers to a process which provides extra time to implement an agreed-upon IPE. It should be used only when exceptional circumstances, beyond the control of the AIVRS project or participant, prevent the IPE from being implemented within the 90-day timeframe.

The VR counselor should ensure that the IPE extension is completed and signed as soon as an extension is deemed necessary, and no later than the 89th calendar day from the date of eligibility determination. IPE extensions begin on the 91st calendar day from the date of eligibility determination and will not exceed 90 calendar days at a time.

The VR counselor will implement the IPE extension. Supervisory review and approval prior to implementation, if required by project policy and procedure, will be documented in the case file for all subsequent IPE extensions.

The goal of IPE development is to accomplish the following:

• assist the participant in identifying an appropriate vocational goal;
• determine services that remove or eliminate disability-related barriers or impediments to employment;
• provide assistance and accommodations to participants in order to successfully achieve competitive integrated employment;
• identify participant and VR counselor responsibilities;
• determine the timeline of services; and
• identify the participant’s contributions such as transportation, family supports, childcare, community resources, scholarships, and other comparable benefits.

• Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) example
• IPE Development presentation
• IPE Justification Case Note
• Written Rehabilitation Analysis Page (WRAP)
• List of services
• Case File Folder contents example
• Case management tool

1. Vocational goal has been identified.
2. Objectives have been created.
3. Economic need case note and/or statement (if required by project policy) has been completed.
4. List of VR services for the participant is noted in case file.
5. Participant has signed and dated IPE document, and the participant has received an accessible copy of the IPE.
6. VR counselor’s supervisor approval has been obtained (if required).