Chapter 13 Contents:

DRS Policy Manual Main

[ REVISED: 7/1/15]

Wilson Workforce and  Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) serves any individual with a disability whose needs are compatible with its structure, staff, and resources.  Primary consideration is given to VR clients pursuing vocational goals.  For services offered, residential placement and commuting options, and days of operation, see WWRC Client Handbook. 

[ REVISED: 7/1/12]

  1. Eligibility.  The individual must meet WWRC admissions criteria.  For details, see the WWRC Admissions Page.   
    For additional eligibility criteria for specific programs, see WWRC Client Handbook. 

  2. Financial participation.
    WWRC services are subject to DRS established financial participation policies (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.54), the Client Financial Statement (RS-13), and the financial participation pilot for WWRC services (see Policy 3: Section A1 of this chapter).

  3. Comparable benefits.
    WWRC services are subject to comparable benefits policy (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.53). See Chapter 14.2, COMPARABLE, Policy 1.

  4. Purchasing.
    WWRC services are subject to DRS established purchasing policies and procedures (see Chapter 14.1, PURCHASING, Policy 1

  5. WWRC services are subject to DRS established purchasing policies and procedures (see Chapter 14.1, PURCHASING, Policy 1) and WWRC counselor authorization authority (See Policy 2: Section A of this chapter).


[ REVISED: 1/21/99]

See WWRC Client Handbook.

 
 

[ REVISED: 1/21/99]

See WWRC Client Handbook.



 
 

[ REVISED: 7/1/12]

See published WWRC Service Listing/Fee Schedule.  For financial participation pilot see Policy 3: Section A1 of this chapter.

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[ REVISED: 7/1/15]

  1. Before completing an application to Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC), the DRS VR counselor shall:

    1. Ensure the individual meets WWRC admissions criteria, and
       
    1. Review WWRC Program Guidelines and Training Course Description to determine if WWRC is appropriate and essential to removing the disability-related impediment to employment.

  2. To initiate the application process for outpatient and one-day evaluations, only the WWRC referral form is needed.

  3. To initiate the application process for other services, send the WWRC application package to WWRC Admissions Department (or to WWRC PERT Department if referral is to the PERT program).  The completed application package means:

    1. WWRC referral form,
       
    2. WWRC Client Application for Admission,
       
    3. A recent (60 days) medical report from the treating physician/clinician for an applicant with an active medical/mental health condition (an update may be required if admission is delayed),
       
    1. Psychological reports (including subtest scores) when available; also academic level and counselor administered test results,
       
    1. Social history describing home, family, and community situation, information from courts, mental hospitals, or correctional institution (such as copy of VR Intake case notes).
       
    1. Educational history, giving academic achievement and school adjustment should be provided for all. For those under 18 years of age who have received special education services, a copy of the most recent eligibility summary and Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the local education agency must be included,
       
    1. Work history as complete as possible,
       
    2. Copy of Employment Plan if the individual has one,
       
    3. Copy of the Client Financial Statement RS-13 form (including copy of federal tax return), and
       
    1. Any additional information that is requested on an individual basis.

     

[ REVISED: 7/1/12]

Acceptance.
If the applicant is accepted for admission, the WWRC Admissions Department staff sets the admission date and mails an acceptance letter to the applicant and a copy to the referring counselor.

Non-acceptance.
If the admissions criteria are not met, the Admissions Department staff sends a letter of denial and/or recommendation to the referring counselor. The referring counselor shall be responsible for informing the applicant through appropriate modes of communication consistent with the informed choice of the individual, of the decision and the avenues of appeal (see Chapter 15, APPEALS, Policy 1 ) (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.18 (e)) and 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.57).  The referring counselor shall review the non-acceptance decision with the supervisor.  If the supervisor supports admission and has additional documentation or information, the supervisor asks the WWRC Admissions Committee  to reconsider.  If the WWRC Admissions Committee upholds its original decision, the WWRC Operations Committee consults the DRS regional director.  The client has the right to proceed directly to a VR hearing and this procedure may be concurrent with, but shall not delay, a hearing (per 2001 Federal Regulation 34 CFR § 361.57). 

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[ REVISED: 7/1/15]

The  Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) counselor has authority to purchase necessary services for VR consumers at WWRC. The WWRC counselor shall maintain the documentation and shall note that the service was purchased from transfer funds.

[ REVISED: 7/1/15]

The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) counselor can authorize purchase of necessary goods when the single purchase costs $500 or less. The WWRC counselor should consult the field counselor regarding the purchase of a good costing more than $500.​

 
 

[REVISED: 7/1/12]

  1. The consumer financial participation policy and Client Financial Statement (RS-13) shall apply.  However, the client maximum dollar contribution for certain WWRC services shall not exceed $100 per month (30 days), pro-rated for a partial month.  This maximum applies to all WWRC cost services (e.g., training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, etc.) received from WWRC staff while the VR client is participating in pre-vocational or vocational training.  It applies only to services included in the signed Employment Plan or substantial amendment and does not apply to WWRC services already paid by or billed to the VR client before the Employment Plan is in effect. It does not apply to goods (e.g., assistive technology devices, durable medical equipment, tools and equipment, etc.).  It does not apply to medical consultation or treatment services from non-WWRC staff. The DARS commissioner may discontinue this policy at any time or may change the maximum amount for individuals entering the WWRC financial participation pilot.

  2. The comparable benefits policy remains in effect (see Chapter 14.2, COMPARABLE, Policy 1 ).

B1. Use of WWRC Financial Participation Referral

[REVISED: 7/1/12]

While the WWRC financial participation pilot is in effect, the DRS VR counselor shall include the WWRC Financial Participation Referral Form (RS-15) with the WWRC Application package. For instructions on using the form, see Chapter 12, FORMS, RS-15

[REVISED: 8/1/02]

  1. The WWRC Admissions Department will enter a special code in the COMET System for each case for billing purposes. WWRC will bill the customer for the customer’s contribution amount towards the cost of the services.

  2. If the customer fails to pay their contribution within 30 days of billing receipt, their services at WWRC may be discontinued.

Links to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are currently unavailable while we await federal changes to the vocational rehabilitation program. Upon promulgation of the final regulations the links will be updated and activated.