Sec. 10.21.28.07. Assessment and Planning Services

A. Vocational Assessment. Within 10 working days of initiation of MHVP services, MHVP staff assigned by the program director to conduct assessments, in collaboration with the individual and, with proper consent, family or significant others designated by the individual, shall complete a face-to-face MHVP assessment that includes, at a minimum:

(1) Documentation of the individual's employment interests, preferences, and skills;

(2) An evaluation that identifies the individual's competencies, work needs, and readiness for employment;

(3) Identification of obstacles and barriers to work such as transportation and impact on entitlements;

(4) Relevant information from the screening conducted under Regulation .06B of this chapter; and

(5) If appropriate, relevant information from previous vocational screenings or assessments.

B. Individual Vocational Plan (IVP).

(1) Initial IVP. Within 30 days of initiation of MHVP services and based on the vocational assessment completed according to §A of this regulation, the individual's employment specialist shall prepare an initial IVP:

(a) In collaboration with:

(i) The individual;

(ii) With proper consent, family or significant others designated by the individual and others involved in the individual's care; and

(iii) If appropriate and with proper consent, other mental health service providers, as available;

(b) That, if applicable and with proper consent, is coordinated with the:

(i) Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services' (DORS) individual plan for employment; and

(ii) Individual's individual treatment plan, individual rehabilitation plan, and case management personal plan;

(c) That is designed to assist the individual to identify, obtain, and maintain vocational goals;

(d) That identifies the individual's:

(i) Strengths;

(ii) Vocational service needs;

(iii) Vocational goals, including target dates;

(iv) Vocational interventions, including but not limited to a systematic plan of instruction in work skills and behaviors to be learned and, if applicable, benefits management and staff responsible for implementation; and

(v) Plan for obtaining a job that matches the individual's interests, preferences, abilities, and needed accommodations and adaptations.

(2) IVP Review. As frequently as necessary, as determined by an individual's employment specialist, and at least every 6 months, the employment specialist, in consultation with the individual, shall:

(a) Review and record in the individual's employment record:

(i) The individual's progress toward the accomplishment of previously identified vocational goals;

(ii) Goal changes, based on a review of the individual's progress; and

(iii) Changes in interventions, including staff responsibility;

(b) Communicate promptly the results of the review to:

(i) Relevant program staff; and

(ii) With the individual's consent, community mental health programs providing services to the individual and family or significant others;

(c) Assess the individual's satisfaction with the job and the MHVP services; and

(d) When the individual is employed through agency-sponsored employment, assess the individual's preferences and readiness for competitive work.

(3) Signature of the IVP and IVP Reviews. The employment specialist shall obtain the individual's written or witnessed verbal agreement or disagreement with the plan, and, in addition, the following shall sign the plan and reviews:

(a) The employment specialist; and

(b) Other MHVP staff responsible for implementing the plan.

C. Continuing Evaluation. At least once a month the employment specialist shall record in the individual's MHVP employment record a progress summary note regarding:

(1) The delivery of services, including those outlined in Regulation .07B(1)(d) of this chapter, specified by the IVP;

(2) Progress toward goal achievement;

(3) Changes in the individual's status;

(4) If applicable, coordination with DORS; and

(5) If applicable, suggested changes in employment goals and vocational services delivered.