An IPE Amendment is subject to all the rules governing the IPE development and implementation. Program Manual Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

361.45(b)(2) The individualized plan for employment must be designed to achieve a specific employment outcome, that is selected by the individual consistent with the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. 

361.45(d)(6) The individualized plan for employment is amended, as necessary, by the individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative, in collaboration with a representative of the State unit or a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor (or to the extent determined to be appropriate by the individual), if there are substantive changes in the employment outcome, the vocational rehabilitation services to be provided, or the providers of the vocational rehabilitation services. 

361.45(d)(7) Amendments to the individualized plan for employment do not take effect until agreed to and signed by the eligible individual or, as appropriate, the individual's representative and by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the designated State unit. 

361.57(b)4 Impact on provision of services. The State unit may not institute a suspension, reduction, or termination of vocational rehabilitation services being provided to an applicant or recipient, including evaluation and assessment services and individualized plan for employment development, pending a resolution through mediation, pending a decision by a hearing officer, or reviewing official, or pending informal resolution under this section unless—

(i) The individual or, in appropriate cases, the individual's representative requests a suspension, reduction, or termination of services; or

ii) The State agency has evidence that the services have been obtained through misrepresentation, fraud, collusion, or criminal conduct on the part of the individual or the individual's representative.

The IPE must be amended when:

• Employment outcome changes (including job goal pursuing, job obtained for employment follow up) or
• Category is added or 
• Service is terminated; or a terminated service is added
• “Who will provide” (Community or Team) changes

IPE with a Projected post-school employment for a student with a disability must be amended when:

• Change in the projected post school employment outcome (exploring another broad goal) 
• Specific employment goal is developed
• Student with a disability is no longer eligible to receive pre-employment transition services
• Youth with a disability prior to the youth’s 25th birthday

Required Signatures: A Service Specialist may assist an individual in developing the IPE but is not authorized to approve the IPE or IPE Amendment. The date of approval is the official date to be entered into QE2. See Required Signatures on VR Documents 

Terms and Conditions - Thoroughly review the text in this section with the client. It is important the client understands and agrees with the conclusions and action to be taken that are outlined in this section.

Full consultation must be provided to the client and as applicable, the authorized representative. Document discussion and decision in the case file. See VRIS Documentation .

If the client does not agree with the amendment or refuses to sign the form, contact your Office Director to start the Review of Decision process. See VRIS Client Appeals, Rights

Client Assistance Program (CAP): Nebraska VR must provide the CAP information to clients during the application process, when developing the individualized plan for employment, case closure or at any time the client disagrees with a VR final decision.

 

An IPE Amendment is subject to all the rules governing the IPE development and implementation. Program Manual Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

The client must sign and return the IPE Amendment to amend the IPE in QE2. 

When the Employment Outcome/Job Goal changes:

Employment Outcome pursued or obtained must match the Employment Outcome on the current IPE. Employment Outcome includes Projected or Employment Outcome, Supported or Unsupported, Self-Employment and the specific job goal/SOC code.

• Pursued. All services provided need to support the IPE employment outcome. 
  • Review and update the IPE to determine if the new employment goal is an appropriate job goal and what services the client needs to achieve the new employment goal. 
• Consider using the following additional resources for job goal identification:
  • Discovery Activity: Work Considerations
  • Job Readiness and Job Planning Factors
  • IPE Guide
• Obtained. The job obtained must match the IPE Employment Outcome (Projected or Employment Outcome, Supported or Unsupported, Self-Employment and specific job goal/SOC code). The first two digits of the IPE SOC code must match the job title/SOC code in the employment history to start the 90-day clock and complete successful employment outcome in QE2. Ensure the job meets the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice

1. Utilize IPE form and check amended.
2. Update the Employment Outcome: (Projected or Employment Outcome, Supported or Unsupported, Self-Employment and specific job goal/SOC code).
3. Review Services - determine if there are services to be removed or added, based on the new job goal.
4. Obtain required signatures, offer client a copy, and approve IPE Amendment in QE2.  

When a Category is Added:

Only when a new category is added, an amendment is required.  Services can be added to the existing category without an amendment. 

1. Utilize the IPE form and check "Amended"
2. Identify services the client will need to achieve the job goal. Indicate the following:
   • Category and related service
   • Who will Provide (Team or Community)
3. Review all services to determine if other changes are needed and include any needed adjustments.  
4. Obtain client agreement and signature or, as appropriate, authorized representative. 
5. Provide a copy of the signed IPE Amendment to the client

When a Service is Terminated, or a previously terminated service needs to be added:

Only a specific service Vocational Rehabilitation can no longer support requires an amendment. Service termination is often utilized in conjunction with a change in the client's employment outcome, as the existing service no longer supports the new job goal. Example: Changing from a job goal that requires college to a job that does not require college, post-secondary training would no longer be supported for the specific job goal and removed from the IPE. If a previously terminated service needs to be added back to the IPE, an IPE Amendment is required to be completed with the client to update QE2. The signed IPE Amendment must match the agreed upon employment goal and services in QE2. 

Services that are not used or completed, do not require an amendment. Making an adjustment to how the service is provided does not require an IPE Amendment. Example: For post-secondary training, making an adjustment for credit hours funded, does not constitute stopping a service, but rather a change to how the service is provided. 

Note: A service that is already in process, cannot be stopped while the client is involved in either mediation or the appeal process. 

QE2 service terminations can be accessed on the IPE Amendment screen or the case home screen, under the plan section by clicking the "Terminate Service" button and selecting the specific service to terminate and providing the rationale. 

1. Utilize the IPE form and check "Amended"
2. Review all services to determine if other changes (additions/terminations) are needed and include them on the IPE Amendment.  
3. Obtain client agreement and signature, and as appropriate authorized representative.
4. Provide a copy of the signed IPE Amendment to the client.

When Who Will Provide the Service Changes (Community or VR):

When a service changes from Community provided to VR provided, or VR provided to Community provided, an amendment is required. 

1. Utilize the IPE form and check "Amended."
2. Update the following:
   • Who will Provide (Team or Community)
   • Estimated start and end date of the service, as needed.
3. Review all services to determine if other changes are needed and include any needed adjustments.  
4. Obtain required signatures, offer client a copy, then approve IPE Amendment into QE2.

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) - English

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) - Spanish

Discovery Activity: Work Considerations - English

Discovery Activity: Work Considerations - Spanish

Job Planning Factors & Job Planning Discussion

Job Readiness Factors & Initial Meeting - A Guide for Staff