The IPE shall be developed in a timely manner. An IPE should be developed as soon as all the pertinent information is available but generally, no later than three months following the determination of eligibility. This timeline may not always be feasible as a result of incomplete assessments determined to be necessary and unexpected events not within the VR Counselor's control. The VR Counselor should take all steps to ensure the timely development of the IPE and promptly address any issues which are causing a delay.
The IPE shall be developed and implemented in a manner that affords the eligible individual, or as appropriate, the individual's representative the opportunity to exercise informed choice in selecting an employment outcome, the specific vocational rehabilitation services to be provided under the plan, the entity that will provide the services and the methods used to procure the services. The methods used to purchase goods and services may be flexible, but the agency and participant must comply with the recognized state procurement requirements.
The IPE for an eligible student who is receiving special education services (Transition Student) must be developed and approved prior to the completion of the student's senior year. There may be special circumstances such as application for services late in the school year which prevent this, but such circumstances must be documented in the case record. The IPE must be coordinated with the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in terms of the goals, objectives and services identified in the IEP.
Rehabilitation services identified in the IPE must be services which are needed in order to achieve the employment outcome and must be provided in the most integrated setting possible and must be consistent with the informed choice of the participant.
Both the financial needs test, as applicable, and comparable services and benefits must be considered when identifying payment sources for planned services.
The IPE must contain statements concerning the expected need for post-employment services (PES) prior to closing a participant successfully rehabilitated and, if possible, include a description of the terms and conditions for the provision of any PES identified and identification of comparable services and benefits to be utilized for PES