Individualized Plan for Employment, or IPE

If you have applied for services, gone through the assessment process, are found eligible for services, the next step is developing your Individualized Plan for Employment, or IPE. The IPE is yourwritten plan to find and keep employment. Your counselor will give you information throughout the IPE process so you can make meaningful choices about your plan.

Deciding on an employment goal is an important step and may take time. You and your counselor will explore your unique strengths, resources, priorities, interests, and needs, including the need for supported employment. Your counselor can suggest and provide career exploration opportunities which will help you make an informed choice about your employment goal.

You are the lead partner and must actively participate in developing your plan. You will have the opportunity to choose your employment goal and setting. You will also have the opportunity to choose the specific vocational rehabilitation services, providers and settings you need to reach your goal. You and your counselor will discuss methods you can use to obtain the needed services. Whenever possible, OVR uses information available from you or from agencies where you have received services.

CONTENTS OF IPE

Federal law requires that your IPE must have the following components:

• Description of your specific employment goal
• Timelines to achieve your employment goal
• Description of the services and service providers you will need
• Timeline to begin services
• Description of the methods used to get services
• Description of the criteria that will be used to evaluate your progress
• Responsibilities of your counselor, you, and others involved with your IPE
• Identification of comparable programs and benefits you may apply for and secure.

OPTIONS FOR DEVELOPING IPE: