Residency: The applicant must be present in the State of Nebraska and available to actively participate in services. Nebraska VR is prohibited from requiring documentation of residency to verify duration of residency.

State VR Agencies: To avoid duplication of services, only one state VR Agency, to include Nebraska Commission of the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI), should have an open case with an individual. Contact the Program Director for Counseling Services to discuss any situations you feel may warrant an exception to this rule prior to proceeding with a VR Application.  For further information, see the process section below and the Program Manual Chapter Application to the Employment Program

Data Entry: All referrals to the Employment Program are entered into the database at the time of referral. An individual may only have one active Nebraska VR Employment Program case record at a time. 

Contact Timeframe: Individuals will be contacted by phone, letter, email or in person within 10 calendar days of the date of referral to schedule the initial meeting. Best practice is to also schedule the initial meeting within 10 calendar days of the date of referral. If an individual is unable to be seen within 10 calendar days, a TASK notes needs to explain any delays by VR or the referral. 

Orientation video: Staff who are responsible for sending out information to potential applicants assures information on how to view the Orientation Video is included. If the individual is not able to view before their appointment, they will have the opportunity to view the video when they arrive at the VR Office.

VR employees with any verified disability must contact their supervisor or the Program Director of Evaluation & Community Integration to discuss possibly applying for services through Nebraska VR regarding disability-related equipment/any accommodations required to maintain employment. The Program Director must refer the staff member to their supervisor to request an Ergonomic Assessment or begin the Interactive Accommodation Process. See Program Manual Ergonomic Assessments/Worksite Accommodations Chapter.

 

 

1. Individuals will be contacted by phone, letter, email or in person within 10 calendar days of the date of referral to schedule the initial meeting. Best practice is to also schedule the initial meeting within 10 calendar days of the date of referral. Explain any delays in a task note. 
2. Make sure the individual is in the right place: the individual has a disability; understands Nebraska VR is an employment program, and intends to work.

   • Ensure the individual is present in the state of Nebraska and available to participate in services.

   • If the referral indicates they do not have an impairment, ask follow-up questions to assess the existence of a disabling condition: 
     • Who referred them and are they aware of why?
     • Any difficulty finding, training or maintaining employment?
     • Receiving SSI/SSDI benefits? 
   • Vision/sight impairment -
     • Need to apply with Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) for VR services. 
     • If eligible for NCBVI, they need to work with that agency.
     • In rare cases, an individual may have an active case with both state vocational rehabilitation programs (Nebraska VR and NCBVI), so long as the services provided by each are not duplicated and both VR agencies would be allowed to record a successful employment outcome. This would only occur if a current VR client's vision became so severe it warrants consultation with NCVBI. NCBVI will then determine if the client is eligible and open a case or only provide consultation.
3. If interested in VR Services, schedule the initial meeting and arrange any needed accommodations:
   • If an interpreter is required, use the letter contract process, as case service funds cannot be used on non-applicants. 
   • If referred by an agency, inquire if the staff from the agency are interested in attending the initial VR meeting and accommodate schedules, if possible.
   • Inquire if an authorized representative is needed and schedule required participants.
4. Ask the individual to bring available medical documentation to the initial meeting (MDT, doctor reports, etc.) to expedite the eligibility process,  work documents for Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) developement, and guardianship/power of attorney documents, as applicable. An application for VR services can be completed without verifying original work documents, but this is required to be verified in the QE2 prior to approving the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) or participating in paid work experience.  See the Individualized Plan for Employment Chapter for more information. 
5. When opening a new case verify and enter the referral information into QE2, complete TASK notes, and set up casefile. 
   • Check QE2 for prior or current case record.
     • If no case record is found open a new case.
     • If an open case already exists, do not open another case and duplicate records. 
   • If individual requires communication in Spanish, check the "Spanish communication" box, under client's personal information in QE2. This will serve as a reminder for the need of an interpreter and written communication to be sent in Spanish. 
6. Send initial meeting reminder to individual.
   • Use Appointment Reminder Postcard or email, as appropriate.
   • Ensure the referral has the link to the Orientation video to view it on their own, or arrange for them to view it prior to the initial meeting.
   • If referral provides email address, forward Constant Contact Welcome Letter with appointment information. Otherwise, send Welcome Letter.
7. If previous case is available, utilize the information to assist with disability verification and planning, if still applicable.

 

Appointment Reminder Postcard

NE VR Sign Language Interpreting Request

VR Referral Form - English

Welcome Letter with Link to Orientation Video-Constant Contact

I-9 Checklist

I-9 Form & Information