Division Policy 2.20

SUBJECT

Post-Employment Services

EFFECTIVE DATE

August 18, 2011

REVISION DATE

April 29, 2025

EXPIRATION DATE

N/A

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The Division of Blind Services (DBS) may sponsor services under the vocational rehabilitation program to meet the vocational needs of an individual with a disability and assist the individual in preparing for, securing, maintaining, advancing in or regaining an employment outcome consistent with the individual’s unique Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) when such goals meet the requirements of 34 CFR 361.5(c)(15).

AUTHORITY

34 CFR §361.5(c)(41)

POLICY

Post-employment Services are one or more of the vocational rehabilitation services identified in 34 C.F.R. § 361.48(b) that are provided subsequent to the achievement of an employment outcome and that are necessary for an individual with a disability to maintain, regain, or advance in employment, consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice (34 C.F.R. § 361.5(c)(41). DBS provides post-employment services under an amended IPE after the individual with a disability (participant) has achieved an employment outcome, before exiting the DBS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program or under a new IPE after exiting the VR program.

Guidelines

The counselor informs the participant of the availability of post-employment services using appropriate modes of communication. The counselor works with the participant to identify short-term services the participant needs to maintain the employment outcome prior to case closure. Post-employment services include one or more of the services identified in 34 C.F.R. § 361.48(b) and are:

The counselor and participant will work together to amend the IPE to include the specific post-employment services needed for the participant to maintain employment. The participant is reported as “exited” from the DBS VR program once the employment outcome is stable and the participant no longer needs the post-employment services. Exited from the DBS VR program is a reporting term and is different from closing a case. A participant is considered as exited once the closure is reported on the RSA-911.

Re-opening a Case after Closure, but before being reported as having exited the VR program for the Provision of Post-Employment Services

DBS may re-open a case for individuals whose current job is not consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, and/or capabilities and provide services designed to assist with upward mobility or career advancement, even if the applicant has previously been successfully placed and is currently employed. Services may include Counseling and guidance, Vocational Evaluation, Training and Job Placement services, Eye Medical and Low Vision Equipment services, and other services deemed necessary by the participant and counselor.

If the participant’s case has been closed after achieving an employment outcome (successful closure), but DBS has not reported an exit for the participant within the quarterly reporting period (45 days after the end of the quarter), the participant can receive post-employment services via an amended plan. The counselor must re-open the case and amend the IPE to include the necessary services. As the individual is still considered a participant, there is no need to determine eligibility again.

Re-opening a Case after Program Exit for the Provision of Post-Employment Services

An individual reported as having exited the DBS VR program would need to become a participant, as defined in 34 C.F.R. § 361.150(a)(1), to receive post-employment services. This means the individual would need to re-apply and be determined eligible for the DBS VR program, work with the counselor to develop and sign a new IPE and begin receiving services under that IPE. Individuals at risk of losing employment shall be expedited through the eligibility determination process following the guidelines in Policy 2.16 Timeliness of Services.

The new IPE must contain a description of the terms and conditions for the provision of any post-employment services and if appropriate, a statement of how post-employment services will be provided or arranged through other entities as comparable services and benefits.

Original signed by Robert L Doyle, III, Director on 12/16/2025.

Return to top of page

DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.