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State of New Mexico | Division of Vocational Rehabilitation | Rehabilitation Services
Manual of Operating Procedures (MOP)

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02 Referral/Applicant Status

Revised: 09/02

02-04 Extended Evaluation

02-04-01 Policy Statement

Extended Evaluation is available for individuals with significant disabilities or most significant disabilities who cannot take advantage of trial work experiences or if the options for trial work experiences have been exhausted before DVR is able to conclude, by clear and convincing evidence, whether the applicant is able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services due to the severity of their disabling condition(s). Trial Work Experiences remains the first option by which to assess an individual's ability to benefit from VR service. Extended Evaluation is not meant to be a routine alternative to Trial Work Experiences, but is to be used only as a last resort and under limited circumstances. An individual may be determined unable to take advance of a Trial Work Experience if there is a need for substantial restoration services prior entering a work environment. Extended Evaluation involves the development of a written plan which provides only those services necessary to make a determination of eligibility.

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02-04-02 Guidelines

  1. Extended Evaluation is available only to applicants with a significant disability or most significant disability in situations when the counselor is unable to determine if he/she can benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome due to the severity of the disability. The provision of Extended Evaluation will enable the counselor to make such a determination.

  2. The counselor should clearly outline critical case questions pertaining to eligibility and the Extended Evaluation Plan should be designed to address these questions.

  3. The Extended Evaluation period shall be reviewed on a monthly basis by the DVR Counselor or more often if necessary.

  4. The Extended Evaluation period should terminate at the time the DVR Counselor is able to determination eligibility.

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02-04-03 Requirements

  1. Extended Evaluation can only be entered into after Trial Work Experiences have been exhausted before the DVR Counselor was able to make a determination whether the applicant is able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome; or,

  2. Trial Work Experiences were explored and it was determined that the participant is unable to take advantage of Trial Work Experiences.

  3. During the Extended Evaluation period, vocational rehabilitation services must be provided in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the informed choice and rehabilitation needs of the applicant.

  4. During the Extended Evaluation period, DVR will provide only those VR services that are necessary to conclude that the applicant can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome or supply clear and convincing evidence that the applicant cannot benefit from services due to the severity of their disabling condition(s).

  5. During the Extended Evaluation period, the applicant is exempt from the determination of comparable services and benefits. Comparable services and benefits can be utilized voluntarily by the applicant but use of these benefits or services cannot be mandated by DVR during the Extended Evaluation period.

  6. Apply the financial needs test, as appropriate, for non-assessment services identified in the Extended Evaluation plan. The financial needs test cannot be applied towards direct assessment services.

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02-04-04 Procedures

  1. Complete Section 1 of the Eligibility Determination Datapage to include the disability priority and rationale (EE is only an option for SD or MSD participants). After completing this section, close the Eligibility Determination Datapage - do not continue to complete other sections of the Eligibility Determination Datapage. The remainder of the Eligibility Determination Datapage is done if determined eligible for VR services. Completing the disability priority coding at this time allows for accurate reporting of EE related information and assures EE is being utilized for SD or MSD participants as required.

  2. Explain the Extended Evaluation process with the participant and discuss reasons why the EE period is necessary prior to entering an EE plan.

  3. Clearly document in case notes the reasons why the Trial Work Experiences were ineffective in determining the applicant's ability to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services or why the applicant is unable to take advantage of Trial Work Experiences.

  4. Collaborate with the applicant on development of the Extended Evaluation plan and in identification of services.

  5. Follow-up monthly or more often if necessary with case notes indicating case progress.

    Note: For the purpose of EE, the counselor must possess evidence that the participant is significantly disabled or most significantly disabled. The intent of this activity is to assess whether the participant can benefit from VR services in terms of an achieving an employment outcome.

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02-04-05 Advancing from the Extended Evaluation

To Status:

When:

Closure

  1. Assessment indicate, by clear and convincing evidence, that the applicant is unable to benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome, and is, therefore, ineligible.

  2. Applicant requests case closure, moves or becomes otherwise unavailable or to participate in the Extended Evaluation Plan.

Eligibility

Assessments indicate that the participant can benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome and the participant is, therefore, eligible. Complete the Eligibility datapage and begin the IPE planning process.

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