Does Partnership Plus Require a Referral Agreement?
Although Partnership Plus does not require any type of formal agreement for a smooth handoff between VR and an EN, there are many situations where a written agreement is advisable:
- when confidential information will be exchanged (assurance that all federal and state confidentiality requirements are addressed)
- when a referral process and/or services coordination is being formalized
- when earnings information is going to be collected and shared (DOC)
- This form provides guidelines outlining responsibilities of both VR and an EN regarding services coordination, job retention services and tracking information.
- when money will be exchanged, e.g.,
- sharing Ticket payments
- paying for post-employment services
- providing payments for milestones in job retention.
To access examples of language used in VR/EN agreements that address a variety of issues such as payments for post-employment services, services coordination, and different methods of sharing compensation from SSA, check out the following:
- Sample VR/EN Agreement: Basic Services Coordination (DOC)
- This is an example of an agreement that defines the responsibilities of VR and the EN in terms of service provision, as well as outlines specific goals and expected outcomes. This agreement also includes examples of guidelines for VR and an EN to use in evaluating the effectiveness of the partnership.
- Sample Agreement: VR and EN Partnering As One EN (DOC)
- This agreement outlines the purpose, specific duties, payment processes, and reporting guidelines for a VR agency and an EN when partnering as a single EN where DVR is functioning as the EN of record and the EN’s share of the Ticket payments is added to the EN’s grant from VR.
- Sample Agreement: Cost Reimbursement and Ticket Payments (DOC)
- This agreement provides a template for situations in which VR and an EN are partnering under both the Cost Reimbursement program and functioning as a single EN. It establishes the roles and responsibilities of both parties, the duration of the agreement, and specific payment guidelines for Cost Reimbursement and single EN models.
- Sample Agreement: Miscellaneous Issues (DOC)
- This example provides sample language addressing specific responsibilities of both VR and an EN with regard to services coordination, job retention services and tracking guidelines.
- Sample Agreement: VR/EN Comprehensive Agreement with Optional Sections (DOC)
- This comprehensive template provides sample language addressing a formal partnership between VR and an EN that addresses additional issues such as goals, purpose, duration and expected outcomes.