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  2. Vocational Rehabilitation
  3. Policy and Guidance
  4. Existing Business Policy - 10-Step Overview

Existing Business Policy - 10-Step Overview

PDF Version: Existing Business Policy Overview

  1. Initial Conversations

    • Speak with a DVR representative about your interest in self-employment and gather information to determine the appropriate DVR path.

  2. Validate the Self-Employment Vocational Goal

    • Information will be collected by DVR to assess and determine your ability to do essential job tasks safely.
    • This will determine whether it is appropriate to continue with the Existing Business Policy.

  3. Employment and Wage Assessment (EWA)

    • Determine if your wages earned are above minimum wage, or comparable to a similar business, for the most recent (3) years.
    • This assessment will be conducted by CAP Services, Inc. Refer to, “Employment and Wage Assessment” Handout for more information.

  4. Develop Self-Employment IPE

    • With DVR, develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) for the approved vocational goal.
    • The plan will include the services, responsibilities, progress measures, and timelines necessary to address the disability-related factors that affect your ability to do your essential job tasks.

  5. Perform the Business Walk-Through

    • Complete the Existing Business Review Form prior to the visit.
    • DVR will visit the business site and discuss:
      • The business
      • Job duties for you and all workers
      • Any other assessments that may be needed

  6. Authorization for the Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment

    • Used to determine reasonable, necessary, and appropriate assistive technology available to address documented disability and health-related limitations.

  7. Review the AT Assessment Report

    • DVR will discuss the recommendations in the AT Assessment report with you to determine if the suggested assistive technology will address your limitations.

  8. Amend the IPE

    • Add the list of DVR-supported assistive technology and agreed upon timelines.
    • DVR’s purchase of service does not begin until the services and goods are included in the IPE and all consumer obligations have been met.

  9. Service Delivery and Follow Along

    • DVR staff and the consumer will maintain communication to share frequent updates on the progress of the case. DVR staff will continue to provide guidance and counseling and other supports as necessary and appropriate.

  10. Wage Verification and Case Closure

    • A consumer’s case is closed 90 days after all assistive technology that DVR has agreed to provide has been received, is operational, and the consumer is stable in performing their essential work tasks.
    • Wage verification is completed with the consumer.