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. 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. 
3. Obtain or verify the Referral Form information prior to setting up a record in QE2.
4. Make sure the individual in in the right place: the individual has a disability, understands we are an employment program and desires to work.
5. If the person indicates he/she does not have an impairment, ask additional 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?
   • Vision/sight impairment -
     • need to applied 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 (NVR 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.  (See Eligibility - Visual Impairment). 
   •  If they do not feel Nebraska VR meets their needs at this time, inform them they can always contact Nebraska VR in the future if their situation changes and refer them to the appropriate community resources to include the Hotline for Disability Services.
6. If interested in VR Services and has a desire to work, schedule the initial meeting.
5. When scheduling initial meeting, arrange for any needed accommodations:
   • If an interpreter is required, use the letter contract process as case services funds cannot be used on non-applicants.
   • If a minor, inquire into authorized representative and accommodate the needed schedules (See VRIS: Signatures Required on VR Documents). 
   • If referred by an agency, inquire into the intent of the referring agency staff to attending the initial VR meeting and accommodate schedules, if possible.
6. Ask the individual to bring any available medical documentation to the initial meeting (MDT, doctor reports, SSDI/SSI verification, Ticket to Work) to expedite the eligibility process.
7. Ask the referral to bring identity and work documents:
   •  Citizens require documents specified in section three of I-9 form.
     • Example of documents: http://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-9-paper-version.pdf
   • Noncitizens requires work permit documentation
     • Example documents:  https://vris.nebraska.gov/wiki/pages/j1D5m1d/Samples_of_immigration_Documents.html
8. When opening a new case verify and enter Referral Form information into QE2, complete TASK note and set up casefile. 
9. Send initial meeting reminder to individual.
   • Use Appointment Reminder Postcard or email as necessary.
   • Ensure that the person 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.
10.  If previous case is available, provide this information to the counselor.

All referrals to the Employment Program are entered into the database at the time of referral.

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.

An individual may only have one active Nebraska VR Employment Program case record at a time. 

Make sure the individual in in the right place meaning the individual has a disability, understands we are an employment program and desires to work.

Note: Impairments involving loss of vision - Nebraska VR cannot serve an individual whoses ONLY disability is blindness or visually impaired. An individual reporting a visual impairment or multiple impairments, one of which is vision, should be referred to the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) to determine eligibility for their services prior to completing an application to the Nebraska VR Employment Program. If the individual is eligible for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI), they must be served by NCBVI, even if there is another disability of record which could be considered the primary disability.

In rare cases an individual may have an active case with both state vocational rehabilitation programs (NVR 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 becomes so severe it warrants consultation with NCVBI. NCBVI will then determine if the client is eligible and open a case or only provide consultation. 

Staff who are responsible for sending out information to potential applicants assure that 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.