General Info:
01-01 Agency Philosophy Vocational Rehabilitation is a program that offers unique services to individuals with disabilities for the express purpose of assisting them in achieving an employment outcome. NMDVR is committed to providing quality and culturally sensitive services to all eligible New Mexicans, including typically underserved populations such as individuals in rural communities, tribal members and those with significant or multiple disabilities. NMDVR is further committed to working collaboratively with Native American 121 Vocational Rehabilitation Programs to ensure that the needs of New Mexico's Native American population are met. VR services are provided with a focus on employment, and with an emphasis on quality services. Counseling and guidance are the primary services, with an emphasis on a partnership between the participant and the VR counselor, as well as the establishment of partnerships with community resources, tribal entities and employers. In order to serve as many individuals as possible, the NMDVR service delivery system also places an emphasis on utilizing its resources in an efficient manner. The primary focus of Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving an employment outcome. Individuals with disabilities are faced with barriers and obstacles unique to their particular situation. DVR's role is to assist the participant in addressing and reducing those barriers related to employment. To qualify for services, participants must meet the eligibility criteria. This being the case, all services are provided on an individualized basis. Services are also provided in support of determining eligibility or in support of a vocationally related activity. For example, ancillary services such as physical or psychological restoration may be provided to enable participation in a vocational program. Transportation assistance may be provided to ensure that the participant can get to work, school, or other vocationally related activity. Services will not be provided for reasons other than determining eligibility or supporting a vocational program. Diagnostic evaluations, for example, can only be provided to aid in the determination of eligibility or ineligibility. They cannot be provided just to determine a diagnosis or find out about a medical or psychological condition, unless the intent is specifically to obtain information for determining eligibility or for the development of an Individualized Plan for Employment ( IPE ). Once a participant is determined eligible, any service provided must be related to the achievement of the employment goal as outlined on the IPE. 01-01-02 Quality Service Delivery The best measures of quality are participant satisfaction, appropriate service delivery, and the acquisition and retention of suitable employment by the participant as evidenced by appropriate case documentation. In all phases of service delivery, participants are considered the primary customer of DVR services. As such, they are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. This applies even in instances when an impasse may occur between the VR counselor ( and/or other rehabilitation service team member ) and the participant. DVR does have mechanisms for resolving an impasse including program manager reviews, administrative reviews, mediation, and Fair Hearings with an impartial Hearing Officer. If any of these avenues are pursued, the participant should continue to receive timely services as appropriate. There should also be no repercussions. In short, the VR service delivery team should maintain a high level of professionalism at all times. Quality service delivery also means timely service delivery from the outset of the participant's referral and application to DVR. Agency staff have 60 days in which to determine eligibility. However, efforts should be made to expedite an eligibility determination in as timely a manner as possible. The same applies to planning and the