Section 77 - Implementation of the Individual Vocational Plan

Purpose

The implementation of the Individualized Vocational Plan (VR IVP 2006)brings together the training, support, placement and follow-up services that have been identified in the plan as necessary to realize the participant's vocational goal. The Vocational Counsellor is responsible for coordinating the implementation and purchase of these services.

 

Process

Where funding is required from the marketAbilities Individualized Training Fund, the implementation of the Individualized Vocational Plan is initiated with a funding submission seeking approval to purchase the marketAbilities Program eligible goods and services identified in the plan.

Once the funding request has been received , the Vocational Counsellor co-ordinates and supports the participant's implementation of the approved plan. For details on the process and procedures for funding requests and approvals, refer to Section 111.1.

The Vocational Counsellor must notify appropriate people, agencies, and support service providers who will have a role in the participant's vocational process. The Counsellor should also assist the participant to mobilize his or her personal network of resources. These sources of service and assistance, together with supportive counseling, are crucial to the successful completion of the plan.

Throughout the implementation phase, there must be regular and frequent monitoring with both the participant and service providers. The purpose of monitoring is to evaluate progress, encourage the participant, and determine supports and counseling that may be necessary to meet the participant's needs.

Monitoring activities may occur in many different ways, but are generally best accomplished with on-site visits ideally on a monthly basis. Phone calls, correspondence and contact with other service providers is also helpful. In certain situations, monitoring is conducted by a training agency or other staff on behalf of the Vocational Counsellor, but the Vocational Counsellor responsible for case coordination is to remain aware of the nature of these activities and be responsible to ensure proper documentation. This process will help to ensure the participant is provided with appropriate and timely goods and services to facilitate the development of vocational skills and adaptive behaviour necessary to successfully pursue employment.

The Individualized Vocational Plan should be reviewed at minimum once per year and, if necessary, revised to reflect any new developments or modifications. Refer to Section 111.1 for guidelines on when an Individualized Vocational Plan requires an amendment or a new plan be developed.

Where cost amendments in plans for previously approved services vary by 10% or less, no participant signature is required. Participant signatures are required for new service expenditures or significant expense variations.

 

Standards

The following standards apply to the process of approval and implementation of the Individualized Vocational Plan:

1. Individualized Vocational Plans must be signed by appropriate parties before marketAbilities Program funding can be requested. (See Section 111.1 for Process, Procedures & Standards).
2. Funding requests for services provided by an Evaluation and Training Centre may be approved by marketAbilities Program Managers, Supervisors from Family Services and Consumer Affairs and Designated Agencies.
3. Only expenditures identified or described on the Individualized Vocational Plan may be approved for funding through completion of appropriate funding request form (VR-001-2006 or VR-002-2006).
4. It is the Vocational Counsellor's responsibility to notify participants, agencies or other service providers of the specific funding levels that have been approved. The participant must be provided with a copy of the approved funding request or a letter outlining the approved services and costs.
5. The Vocational Counsellor's Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that recommended and approved funding requests are forwarded to the Service Delivery Support Branch.
6. The Vocational Counsellor's Supervisor is responsible for ensuring approved funding requests are distributed to the service providers and a copy placed on the participant's file.
7. It is the responsibility of the Vocational Counsellor to monitor and document participant progress on a quarterly basis.
8. Where funding for the Individualized Vocational Plan is not approved, the processes outlined in Section 180 must be followed in regards to notification to the participant.

 

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