460 IAC 14.1-12-2 Technical assistance and consultation services; comprehensive business plan

Sec. 2. (a) A participant may receive technical assistance and consultation services, as described in 34 CFR 361.48(b)(19), to: (1) evaluate whether self-employment is consistent with their vocational: (A) strengths; (B) resources; (C) priorities; (D) concerns; (E) abilities; (F) capabilities; and (G) career interests; and (2) assist with the development of a business plan. (b) A participant pursuing self-employment must develop a written business plan to submit to the VR program demonstrating the business will be profitable and self-sustaining. (c) The business plan must minimally include: (1) start-up costs; (2) sources of funding; (3) evidence of enough resources to leverage start-up capital; (4) ongoing expenses; (5) a marketing plan; and (6) financial projections for the first two (2) years demonstrating the likelihood of profitability within a reasonable period. (d) A participant must present their business plan to the small business review committee for review for evidence that the financial projections are correct and factually based, any marketing strategies appear strategically sound, and the business will be self-sustaining after vocational rehabilitation has provided the identified and agreed upon services in the business plan. (e) After presenting to the small business review committee, a participant shall receive a determination notice from the VR program explaining whether their business plan is approved as follows: (1) If the participant's business plan is approved by the VR program, the participant's individualized plan for employment shall be amended to include agreed upon services, including start-up costs, necessary to achieve an employment outcome. (2) If the participant's business plan is not approved by the VR program and the participant wishes to continue evaluation for self-employment, they must revise their business plan and resubmit the plan to the VR program for reevaluation. (3) If the VR program determines self-employment is not an employment outcome consistent with the participant's vocational: (A) strengths; (B) resources; (C) priorities; (D) concerns; (E) abilities; (F) capabilities; and (G) career interests; the participant is notified and may pursue another employment outcome. (Division of Disability, Aging, and Rehabilitative Services; 460 IAC 14.1-12-2; filed Oct 15, 2025, 12:55 p.m.: 20251112-IR-460240082FRA)