Home > Vocational Rehabilitation > Directive:  Homemaker

Directive:  Homemaker

From:  Charlene Dwyer
Sent:  Tuesday, December 04, 2001 11:16 AM
To:  DWD DVR ALL
Subject:  Homemaker Directive

Purpose:

To communicate and implement an updated definition of Homemaker.

Updated Definition of Homemaker:

To be eligible for a homemaker IPE outcome, an individual must meet all of the following conditions:

1. Be primarily responsible within the family unit for cleaning, laundering, shopping, and preparing meals.
2. By independently completing the tasks listed in one above, the individual allows a family member or caregiver to seek, obtain or maintain competitive employment.
3. Has an approved IPE with homemaker as the vocational objective.

Individuals who do not meet these criteria are to be referred to an independent living program for services.

Rationale:

DVR recognizes the legitimacy of the homemaker role in supporting, maintaining, and strengthening the family unit. There is, however, a difference between services to homemakers and independent living services, and this distinction must be made to determine whether services are appropriate under the vocational rehabilitation program or not. The new definition clarifies when vocational rehabilitation services are appropriate and when a referral to independent living services should be made.

By connecting an employment outcome for caregivers, the new definition better aligns the vocational goal of homemaker with the mission and purpose of the Rehabilitation Act.

The inclusion of rehabilitated homemaker closures in reports to the federal government requires weekly wage and hour reporting. The new definition will allow for Homemaker closures that are reported to be linked to competitive employment outcomes. The federal government sets benchmarks for DVR’s performance in the areas of weekly wages and hours of work. The outcomes reported for homemakers impact our statewide performance rating.

Desired Change:

• All IPEs with a vocational goal of Homemaker will have a case note in the IRIS record clearly describing how the criteria for a homemaker outcome is met
• No Homemaker IPE will be approved when the Homemaker definition is not met
• Consumers not meeting the Homemaker criteria are to be referred to independent living services; a case note and/or other written documentation will be entered into the IRIS record verifying the referral
• District Directors will provide quality assurance oversight through case file reviews and IPE reviews
• Homemaker closures will count as successful rehabilitation closures if the individual achieves the goals established in the Homemaker IPE

Exceptions:

No exceptions are allowed.

Field Staff Discretion:

N/A

Implementation and Duration:

Commencing on January 1, 2002, and Ongoing.

Prior Procedure/Policy:

IPEs approved and implemented prior to January 1, 2002, will be honored provided the goal is achieved by June 30, 2002. After July 1, 2002, all Homemaker IPEs must adhere to this definition of homemaker to be eligible for successful rehabilitation closure.

This directive replaces all prior policies, procedures and/or practices regarding Homemakers. For future reference, this memorandum will be posted on the DVR Intranet under "directives."

Accountability:

Central Office: Director, Bureau of Consumer Services

• Distributes the new directive to the field via a "high importance" procedural change email
• Monitors implementation of new Homemaker definition through communication with and feedback from Regional Managers and District Directors
• Provides timely approval/feedback for questions or recommended changes
• Shares approved changes with District Directors
• Adds change memo and additional guidance information to the DVR website and/or modifies policy and procedure as needed

District Director

• Reviews and discusses Homemaker definition, criteria and procedure at the field office all-staff meeting
• Asks field staff to verify their understanding of the procedural change and documents the discussion and level of understanding in the minutes of the meeting
• Identifies tools needed to implement change (e.g., equipment, additional training)
• Assures that key field staff have the necessary understanding of the change to effect behavior change
• Provides immediate and ongoing feedback to the BCS Director if assistance is needed in implementing the change
• Maintains the item on the agenda for "follow-up discussion" for a minimum of three more staff meetings
• Provides the BCS Director with information or seeks approval for changes in the definition, criteria and/or procedures
• Monitors office compliance through monthly case file reviews and through staff follow-up discussions and other ongoing monitoring activities deemed appropriate to assure uniform compliance
• Provides this directive and training to new staff
• Provides refresher training to staff as needed

Counselor

• Acknowledges receipt and understanding of the Homemaker definition, criteria and procedures (verbal acknowledgment documented in the minutes of the staff meeting is sufficient)
• The counselor is responsible for communicating the change to the consumer and educating the consumer on the importance of the change; the method of communication to the consumer should be documented in the case file
• The counselor is responsible for clearly documenting in the IRIS case file how the Homemaker definition and criteria are met when developing, reviewing and approving IPEs with a Homemaker vocational outcome

Consumer

• The consumer is responsible for providing accurate and factual information