Title of Regulation: 22VAC30-30. Provision of Independent Living Rehabilitation Services (amending 22VAC30-30-160, 22VAC30-30-250).

Statutory Authority: § 51.5-131 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: August 30, 2012.

Agency Contact: Vanessa S. Rakestraw, Ph.D., CRC, Policy Analyst, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229, telephone (804) 662-7612, FAX (804) 662-7663, TTY (800) 464-9950, or email vanessa.rakestraw@dars.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments reflect the name of the new agency created by Chapters 803 and 835 of the 2012 Acts of Assembly to assume the powers of the former Department of Rehabilitative Services and the Department for the Aging. The new agency name is the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

22VAC30-30-160. Staff.

A. The majority of the center for independent living (CIL) staff and individuals with decision-making positions shall be individuals with disabilities.

B. The staff of the service provider shall include personnel who are specialists in the development and provision of IL services and in the development and support of centers.

C. CILs shall meet all relevant licensure, certification, bonding, and insurance requirements of the Department of Rehabilitative Services Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

D. To the maximum extent feasible, the service provider must make available personnel able to communicate (i) with individuals with significant disabilities who rely on alternative modes of communication, such as manual communication, nonverbal communication devices, Braille, or audio tapes, and who apply for or receive IL services under Title VII of the Act, and (ii) in the native languages of individuals with significant disabilities whose English proficiency is limited and who apply for or receive IL services under Title VII of the Act.

E. Staff at centers will receive training on how to serve unserved and underserved populations, including minority groups and urban and rural populations.

F. The service provider shall establish and maintain a program of staff development for all classes of positions involved in providing IL services and, if appropriate, in administering the CIL program. The staff development program must emphasize improving the skills of staff directly responsible for the provision of IL services, including knowledge of and practice in the IL philosophy.

22VAC30-30-250. Referrals.

A. Department of Rehabilitative Services Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services clients referred to a center for independent living by department counselors for specific services related to the vocational objective under the Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) may have those services funded by the department based upon approved vendor arrangements between the department and the respective center.

B. The DSU shall develop, establish, and maintain written standards and procedures to be applied by service providers to assure expeditious and equitable handling of referrals and applications for IL services from individuals with significant disabilities.

C. The service provider shall apply the standards and procedures established by the DSU to assure expeditious and equitable handling of referrals and applications for IL services from individuals with significant disabilities.

D. A DSU may handle referrals and applications for IL services or, except as otherwise provided, may delegate these functions and responsibilities to the appropriate service provider with which the DSU subgrants or contracts to provide IL services.