Section 67-25-270. Individualized plan for employment—Participation of the customer.

(1) A customer or, as appropriate, the individual's representative may develop all or part of the individualized plan for employment:

(a) Independently, without any assistance from the department or another entity;

(b) With assistance from a vocational rehabilitation counselor employed by the department;

(c) With assistance from a vocational rehabilitation counselor who is not employed by the department but who meets the minimum qualifications for a vocational rehabilitation counselor as established by the department; and

(d) Other resources such as a representative, family member, advocate, or other individual.

(2) The department shall provide, as appropriate to each customer, information to assist the individual or the individual's representative in developing the individualized plan for employment, including:

(a) Information describing the full range of components that must be included in an individualized plan for employment;

(b) Information on assistance available for completing required forms; and

(c) Additional information that the customer requests or the department determines to be necessary for development of the individualized plan for employment.

(3) The department will provide assistance to customers who choose to develop their individualized plan for employment with someone other than a department vocational rehabilitation counselor, and will identify individuals, to the extent possible, who may be of help in that process. However, the department will not pay fees or other expenses associated with obtaining assistance from such individuals.

(4) Substantive changes to the individualized plan for employment must be jointly made and agreed upon by the customer and the department vocational rehabilitation counselor.

(5) A copy of the individualized plan for employment and copies of any revisions and amendments shall be provided, using appropriate modes of communication, to the customer or, as appropriate, to the individual's representative.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.18 RCW. WSR 05-08-097, § 67-25-270, filed 4/4/05, effective 5/5/05; WSR 98-23-078, § 67-25-270, filed 11/17/98, effective 12/18/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.15 RCW. WSR 95-06-057, § 67-25-270, filed 2/28/95, effective 3/31/95. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 194 § 18. WSR 84-01-042 (Order 83-08), § 67-25-270, filed 12/15/83. Formerly WAC 67-20-270.]

Chapter 74.18 RCW. WSR 05-08-097, § 67-25-270, filed 4/4/05, effective 5/5/05; WSR 98-23-078, § 67-25-270, filed 11/17/98, effective 12/18/98. Statutory Authority: Chapter 74.15 RCW. WSR 95-06-057, § 67-25-270, filed 2/28/95, effective 3/31/95. Statutory Authority: 1983 c 194 § 18. WSR 84-01-042 (Order 83-08), § 67-25-270, filed 12/15/83. Formerly WAC 67-20-270.