Where your future begins

Substance Use update

Contact: Jen Papproth
Created: 10/05/2017
Date Emailed to Staff: 10/05/2017
Effective Date: 10/05/2017

Summary of Changes

Substance use guidance has been updated to reflect Eligibility and IPE best practices and policy.

For Eligibility the following updates have been made:

• Decisions on eligibility will be based on individual circumstances and not on any pre-determined length of sobriety per Federal Regulations.

            To assess progress toward abstinence:

• Consider the steps the consumer is making to establish abstinence (treatment/recovery programs, AA/NA, sponsorship)
• What is the recovery plan and the assessment of adequate progress toward recovery?
• Use Best Practices Guide:  https://vris.nebraska.gov/wiki/pages/B5h0v8U9M/VR_Guides_&_Resources.html

• Federal regulations indicate that symptoms need not be active for an individual to have a disability, and thus, a substantial limitation to a major life activity (employment). 

For IPE an entire policy has been developed.  Please review.

VRIS POSTING

The VRIS posting for Alcohol or Drug Abuse in Eligibility can be found under Program Manual, Referral to Eligibility, Non SS Recipients, Background and Training Information.

The VRIS posting for Alcohol or Drug Abuse in IPE can be found under Program Manual, IPE, Individualized Plan for Employment, Policy.

FORMS REVISED

None

TEAM COMMUNICATION

Office Directors should review the revisions in your next team meeting.

LEADERSHIP CONTACT

Jen Papproth

(402)679-5437

jennifer.papproth@nebraska.gov