192 NAC 1-012. SERVICES TO GROUPS

012. SERVICES TO GROUPS. 012.01. SERVICES TO GROUPS are services for the benefit of groups of individuals with disabilities (34 CFR 361.49). NCBVI funds may be used for services to groups as follows: 012.01A. Special services to provide non-visual access to information for individuals who are blind; including a statewide digital voice delivery system and the use of telecommunications, Braille, sound recordings, electronic accessibility via the internet, and other appropriate media; 012.01B. Technical assistance and support services to businesses and other components of the statewide workforce development system, which are best suited to address the specific employment needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired; 012.01C. Services, goods, and other costs allowed pursuant to Section 71-8611, in the case of small business enterprises established under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, as amended (20 U.S.C. 107 et. Seq. [Title 192, Chapter 3 Blind Vendor Program]); 012.01D. Other goods and services that contribute substantially to the rehabilitation of a group of individuals but that are not related directly to the individualized plan for employment of any single individual; such as workshops on diabetes, technology, etc. or the purchase of equipment or instructional materials to benefit a group of applicants or eligible individuals; 012.01E. Technical assistance services to educational agencies in planning for and facilitating the transition of students who are blind and visually impaired from school to post-school life, including employment. 012.02. NCBVI will maintain written policies specific to each program or service provided as a service to groups. Individualized contractual agreements will be written where appropriate to provide the services and will be maintained by the Deputy Director or Program Specialist responsible for specific services to groups. Information will be maintained to ensure the proper and efficient administration of each service. APPENDIX A FEE SCHEDULE FOR SERVICES PURCHASED BY NCBVI The program maintains a fee schedule for services purchased by NCBVI to contain cost and to assure the availability of program services to the largest number of individuals with significant disabilities. The intent of the schedule is to assure costs are the lowest reasonable cost for program services purchased from third party providers, while allowing for sufficient flexibility to meet an applicant’s or recipient’s needs. Copies of relevant fee schedules will be made available by contacting the Lincoln Office of NCBVI. Service Fee Schedule Assistive technology devices (including wheelchairs), except eyeglasses and hearing aids Cost determined by price quotes Dental assessment and restoration See Medicaid Dental Fee Schedule Drugs None--Use pharmacy billed charge Eyeglasses purchase and repair See Medicaid Visual Care Fee Schedule Hearing aids-purchase and repair See Medicaid Hearing Aid Services Fee Schedule Hospitalization-assessment and restoration See Medicaid Hospital Fee Schedule Independent living training Fees established in agreements with Centers for Independent Living or service agreements Interpreters for hearing impaired Fees established in individual contracts with service provider Interpreters foreign language Fees established in individual contracts with service provider Job coaching Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Job placement services Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Life skills training Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Maintenance Cost for living expenses, such as food, shelter, clothing, and other subsistence items, that are in addition to normal subsisence expenses Medical and psychological assessment and evaluation See Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule Mental restoration See Medicaid Psychiatric Fee Schedule Occupational therapy-including training See Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule On-the-job training Fees established in agreements with employers Physical restoration-medical, surgical, and allied health services See Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule Physical therapy-including training See Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule Prosthetics and orthotics See Medicaid Durable Goods Fee Schedule Rehabilitation engineering services, including assistive technology services Fees established in written agreements with independent living center, cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or individuals Speech therapy--including training See Medicaid Practitioner Fee Schedule Supported employment services Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Transportation Coverage of mileage, lodging and meals will not exceed state rates. Vocational assessment and evaluation Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Vocational training--institutions of higher education See cost containment guidelines for vocational training at institutions of higher education in Section 011 Vocational training--other than in institutions of higher education Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Work adjustment training Fees established in written agreements with cooperating agencies, community rehabilitation programs, or businesses Customized employment services Fees established in agreements with employers APPENDIX B STANDARDS FOR FACILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS To determine whether a facility, service, program, or provider meets minimum standards, NCBVI staff consider such factors as: their past performance in achieving results or employment outcomes and the quality of results or employment outcomes achieved, licensure, accreditation, certification, or registration from state authorities; accreditation or certification from nationally recognized accrediting organizations; education, training, and experience of personnel; and, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Hospitals and clinics must be licensed by the State of Nebraska. Hospitals accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities are given preference for the provision of rehabilitation medicine and treatment of physical impairments. Schools and other training institutions must be approved by a recognized accrediting body for the institution. Out-of-state schools must be approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. Program services and goods may be purchased from any entity doing business in Nebraska, including businesses operated by independent contractors, for-profit sole proprietorships and partnerships, and those engaged in the construction or renovation of homes. Medical or psychological diagnosis and treatment services in audiology and speech language pathology; chiropractic; dentistry; hearing aid instruments; dispensers and fitters; medicine and surgery; mental health; nursing; occupational therapy; optometry; physical therapy; podiatry; psychology; respiratory care; and, social work must be provided by professionals who are appropriately licensed, certified, or registered with the appropriate state examining board. Psychologists with clinical certification are given preference. Prosthetic and orthotic services and appliances must be provided by professionals who are certified by the American Board of Certification for Prosthetic and Orthotic Appliance Industry Inc. or otherwise qualified by training and experience to perform the specific service required. A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is an interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary. Interpreters providing services for hearing impaired recipients must be appropriately qualified for the particular assignment. All service providers must be at least 18 years of age. Individuals who have been convicted of any felony or crime consisting of abuse of a child or vulnerable adult are disqualified to be selected as service providers.