Minn. R. agency 139, ch. 3325, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, pt. 3325.0470 - STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

Subpart 1. Written contracts.

SSB must execute written contracts with each community rehabilitation program from which SSB purchases rehabilitation services for applicants and eligible individuals unless the community rehabilitation program has a current written contract with the department or the rehabilitation agency of another state. The agreement must be signed by the director of the community rehabilitation program, or the sole proprietor, if an individual, and the director of SSB and must contain, at a minimum, assurances that the community rehabilitation program will comply with the standards established in subparts 2 to 8. SSB may only purchase services from a community rehabilitation program that meets the standards established in subparts 2 to 8. Individuals providing rehabilitation services under a written contract with SSB are excluded from meeting standards in subparts 3 and 6, item D.

Subp. 2. Applicable state and federal laws.

Community rehabilitation programs must comply with all applicable state and federal laws, including the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. Applicant and eligible individual records must be stored under lock with reasonable protection against fire, water damage, and other hazards.

Subp. 3. Representation and employment of the blind.

The governing bodies of community rehabilitation programs for the blind and visually impaired must include blind or visually impaired persons. Community rehabilitation programs must make and document affirmative attempts to employ blind persons, including blind persons with additional impairments such as combined vision and hearing loss, at all levels of employment.

Subp. 4. Evaluation of community rehabilitation program effectiveness.

Community rehabilitation programs must have systematic procedures for evaluating program effectiveness. Community rehabilitation program staff must periodically review aggregate data on the progress and outcome of eligible individuals served. The results of effectiveness evaluations must be available to the governing body and staff of the community rehabilitation program, SSB, and the public.

Subp. 5. [Repealed, 36 SR 33]

Subp. 6. Adjustment to blindness training services.

Community rehabilitation programs and individuals who provide training services for the blind and visually impaired must comply with the requirements of items A to E.

A. The services must include a class or activities designed to help eligible individuals develop a positive attitude toward blindness. If the community rehabilitation program serves deafblind eligible individuals, the community rehabilitation program's services must include a class or activities designed to develop a positive attitude about being both blind and deaf.

B. Low vision and adjustment to blindness services must be provided in accordance with the requirements established in part 3325.0420, subparts 5, items A and B; 8, items B and C; and 11, items B and C.

C. Consistent with an eligible individual's IPE or ILCSR, all eligible individuals must be provided with the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities for the purpose of building self-confidence and overcoming doubts and fears concerning what blind persons can do, or what deafblind persons can do, if applicable.

D. During training, all eligible individuals must be provided with the opportunity to interact with employed or otherwise independent blind persons, or deafblind persons if applicable, who are not in need of rehabilitation services.

E. The services must include a requirement that eligible individuals use the alternative technique skills they are learning outside of the training setting to manage their own lives in the activities of daily living and use of rehabilitation technology.

Subp. 7. Progress reports.

Community rehabilitation programs must provide timely written reports as required by SSB concerning the progress of eligible individuals in the development of self-confidence, the performance of activities of daily living, and the use of rehabilitation technology, if applicable.

Subp. 8. Location of community rehabilitation programs.

SSB may purchase services from a community rehabilitation program located outside Minnesota only if:

A. the eligible individual needs rehabilitation services which are not available at community rehabilitation programs within Minnesota;

B. the eligible individual's residence is geographically closer to a community rehabilitation program outside Minnesota than it is to any community rehabilitation program within Minnesota; or

C. the eligible individual expressly indicates that adjustment to blindness training is wanted at a community rehabilitation program outside the state. If an eligible individual obtains training at a non-Minnesota community rehabilitation program under this item, SSB must not pay more for the eligible individual's training, maintenance, and transportation than it would otherwise pay for the eligible individual's training, maintenance, and transportation at the community rehabilitation program located in Minnesota which would be the least costly for the eligible individual to attend.

Notes

Minn. R. agency 139, ch. 3325, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, pt. 3325.0470

11 SR 1784; L 2005 c 56 s 2; 36 SR 33; 39 SR 513

Statutory Authority: MS s 248.07