EMPLOYMENT FOLLOW-UP REQUIREMENTS:

• Client contact. Employment follow-up contacts with the client will be made within the first 2 weeks of employment and at minimum once a month thereafter, until case is closed. During these contacts, review if there are any disability or support factors (modifications, accommodations, assistive technology, counseling, medications, daycare, transportation) that may affect employment to ensure the individual is stable on the job and does not require further VR services. When job maintenance issues are identified, describe what strategies will be implemented, and document progress. 
• Employer contact. With client's permission, a follow-up contact with the employer will be made within the first 30 days of employment to assess the employer’s impression of the client’s progress on the job. Note: Supported Employment cases do not require VR to follow up with the employer, as the provider is already making this contact and providing VR with the documentation.  

CRITERIA FOR A SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT OUTCOME: 

Full Consultation with the client, and as appropriate authorized representative, is required for all determinations, including case closure. 

Outcome Achieved. The client has achieved the employment outcome described in the IPE. If the 2-digit SOC Code for the Job at Outcome does not match the first 2 digits of the SOC Code of the IPE Job Goal, complete an IPE-Amendment. See Program Manual Chapter IPE Amendment for further information.

Duration and Stability on the Job. The client has successfully completed a minimum of 90-days of employment with no authorized services, doing the same job with the same employer. Any service authorized while the client is in the 90-day will result in the time clock restarting.

Wage Requirement. The client is being compensated at or above minimum wage, but not less than the customary or usual wage and benefits the employer provides to other employees for the same or similar work.

Matches Personal Traits. The job is consistent with the client’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

Integrated Setting. The job is in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the client’s informed choice.

No Further Service Needs. The client does not require any further vocational rehabilitation services.

Job Satisfaction. The client, the rehabilitation specialist, and when appropriate the authorized representative and employer consider the employment outcome to be satisfactory and agree the client is performing well in the job. 

Benefits. The Benefits Orientation Specialist assigned to the case must complete a discussion of benefits with the client and as appropriate, authorized representative. 

Services Contributed to successful outcome. Documented services contributed to the employment outcome.

Employment Follow up contact completed in QE2 within 30 days of case closure. 

Closure Letter: The appropriate Successful Employment Outcome Letter shall be sent to each individual client upon their case being inactivated as a successful employment outcome (SSA beneficiaries or no benefits).

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Nebraska VR must provide the Client Assistance Program (CAP) information to clients during the application process, when developing the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), case closure or at any time the client disagrees with a VR final decision.

Successful Employment Outcome Defined: full-time employment or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market to the greatest extent practicable; supported employment; or any other type of employment, including self-employment, contract and remote work that is consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

1. Provide full consultation to the client in-person, by phone, virtually, or as a last resort in writing (email/text/letter) including the authorized representative, as applicable. When attempts to contact the client through a variety of methods have been unsuccessful, VR may utilize the verified authorized representative to meet the full consultation criteria for case closure to address the following:

• Provide informed choice on the case closure decision by insuring all the successful outcome requirements have been meet in the policy section and the client and/or authorized representative, as applicable are in agreement.
• Ensure the job meets the successful employment outcome requirements in the policy section. Note: The Benefits discussion may be held at the same time as the Full Consultation or separately, but must be held prior to closure, as the Benefits Orientation Specialist must select the "Benefits Discussion Completed" button on the "Existing Benefits" screen in QE before the assigned VR Specialist may proceed with case closure. See Benefits Analysis Services and Ticket to Work chapters for details of discussion needed.
• Verify and update the client contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.) in QE2, as needed.
• Inform the client they will have the opportunity to participate by phone in a client satisfaction survey within the next few months to assess and improve services.

2. Complete the Successful Outcome in QE2:

• Ensure the final client Employment Follow-up service has been documented, as QE2 checks this date with last client employment follow-up contact date to confirm it is within 30 days of case closure. See Program Manual Chapter Documentation - Employment Follow-up Process Section for documentation instructions
• Complete recoupment process on all existing equipment issuance items, if applicable. See Program Manual Chapter Equipment Issuance and Recoupment
• Complete the Successful Outcome determination screen from the Notices on the Case Home screen in QE2
  • Address how the client benefited from VR services and has stabilized on a job consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. These narratives will be auto populated into a task note.
  • Complete WIOA Exit Data Questions. Answers may not be left blank. If client refusal to answer/does not know/unable to locate: Use other resources available to find the information (i.e.: HHS, Worker's Comp, etc.) and/or answer the question to the best of your knowledge at the time of exit.

3. Send client the appropriate Successful Employment Outcome Letter (SSI/SSDI beneficiaries OR No benefits).

Successful Outcome Letter (SS beneficiaries) in English

Successful Outcome Letter (Non SSA) in English

IPE Amendment of Job Goal at Outcome/Termination of Service - English

IPE Amendment of Job Goal at Outcome/Termination of Service - Spanish

Successful Outcome Letter (Non SSA) in Spanish

Successful Outcome Letter (SS beneficiaries) in Spanish