OAR 582-070-0043: Nature and Scope of OVRS Services/Role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and the Individualized Plan for Employment

(1) The primary role of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor when assisting the individual in obtaining self-employment is to address the individual’s disability-related barriers to employment. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor shall ensure the individual's business plan and the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) incorporates the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests identified in a comprehensive assessment. In order to ensure the individual is provided full opportunity to exercise informed choice, OVRS may: (a) Help the individual evaluate his or her abilities, and interest in managing a business, including both formal evaluation, as well as observation and assessment of the individual's planning skills, ability to formulate a marketing and business plan, aptitudes to perform skills intrinsic in the operation of the business, initiative, commitment, and follow-through on tasks; (b) Help the individual develop a viable business plan; (c) Help the individual research and obtain the resources necessary for the business plan; (d) Identify, in full consultation with the individual, the measurements that shall be used to determine progress toward the planned outcome. (e) Work with the individual to understand the risks and responsibilities of owning and operating a business, especially when funds are borrowed to capitalize and support ongoing business needs; and (f) Assist with reasonable and necessary start-up costs of viable business plans when appropriate. (2) If the individual's formal business plan is determined to be viable, the counselor and the individual shall complete the individual's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE must: (a) Specify needed services and costs, including training in specific skill areas in starting and owning a business, if the individual lacks skills necessary for successful business management; (b) Identify Assistive Technology and any other accommodations required; (c) Identify all resources available to fund the business plan, as described in OAR 582-070-0044(2). (d) Include a plan to monitor and evaluate the success of the business through scheduled reviews with the individual, and individual provided financial and marketing activity reports, as defined in the business plan.