Mississippi Administrative Code

Miss. Code Ann. 43-3-103 sets out who shall appoint the various members of the Board. All Board members must be approved by the Mississippi State Senate. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-2.2 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-3-103 (Rev. 2009)

A. The Chair shall sign a letter addressed to the Governor and Lt. Governor by November 1 of each year reminding them of the Board member positions for which they will need to nominate someone for the upcoming year, such letters will be prepared by the Executive Director. B. If a…

Compensation for the Board will include travel and per diem for Board meetings and for any other expenses pre-approved by a vote of the Board or the Chair and the Executive Director. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-2.4 Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-41 (Rev. 2010); § 25-3-69 (Rev. 2010)

A. Meetings will conform to the Mississippi Open Meetings Act at Miss. Code Ann. 25-41-1 et seq. B. Meetings will be conducted pursuant to the latest version of Roberts Rules of Order revised. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-3.1 Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-1 (Rev. 2010)

A. The Board will hold four (4) regular meetings annually with the dates of these meetings being set for the next fiscal year at the first meeting held after July 1 of each year. B. The secretary to the Board will be required to post notice of regular meetings at all MIB faciliti…

Notice for any called special meetings shall be posted in a prominent place available to examination and inspection by the general public in the building in which MIB normally meets within one (1) hour after such meeting is called. A copy of the notice shall be made part of the m…

A quorum is a minimum of four (4) Board members. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-3.4 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-3-103(4) (b)(Rev. 2009)

A. If unable to attend meeting, a Board member must notify the Chair or the Executive Director as soon as possible. B. If anyone misses more than two (2) consecutive regularly scheduled meetings a majority of the Board may call for his or her resignation. If a majority of the Boa…

A. Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings of the Board except for executive sessions B. Members of the public who would like to address the Board must submit their agenda item in writing to the Executive Director at least ten (10) working days before the Board m…

A. Section 25-41-5, Miss. Code Ann. (1972) as amended provides that a public body may conduct a meeting through teleconference or video means. A quorum of a public body as prescribed by law may be at different locations for the purpose of conducting a meeting through teleconferen…

The order of business for each regular and special meeting shall generally be recommended by the Executive Director and at the pleasure of the Chair. Board members wishing a particular item on the agenda must notify the Executive Director at least ten (10) working days prior to t…

The Board shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-4.1 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-3-103 (Rev. 2009)

A. Officers shall be elected at the first meeting after July 1 of each year or at the next regularly scheduled meeting after a vacancy occurs. B. Chair and Vice Chair are elected in terms of one (1) year. Each officer may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. Notes 32 Mi…

A. The Chair shall: a) Preside at all Board meetings b) Sign the approved minutes of all meetings chaired c) Consult with the Executive Director and other Board members to set the agenda for said meeting d) Ensure that dates, times, places of meetings shall be posted pursuant to …

A. It is required that minutes be kept of all business conducted at Board meetings, except for discussion held during executive sessions in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. 25-41-7 B. All written reports submitted at a Board meeting shall be attached to that meeting's minutes. Suc…

The following is intended for the purpose of providing reasonable written procedures concerning the cost, time, place and method of access, under the provisions of the MS Public Records Act (Open Records Act) [Section 25-61-5, et seq.] A. Board minutes, the annual audit and other…

A. Rules and procedures will be available in alternate formats, i.e. Braille/large print. B. Rules and procedures must be approved by a majority of the Board. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 101-6.1 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-3-103(c) (D)(Rev. 2009)

A. Proposed amendments to these rules and procedures must be submitted in writing to the Board at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting. B. All amendments will require a majority of the Board for approval. C. All amendments to rules will comply wi…

A. Oral Proceedings on Proposed Rules (suggested by 25-43-3. 104 (2) (d) not mandatory) a. Scope. This rule applies to all oral proceedings held for the purposes of providing the public with an opportunity to make oral presentations on proposed new rules and amendments to rules b…

A. Scope. These rules set forth the Mississippi Industries for the Blind's (hereinafter MIB). "MIB's rules governing the form and content of requests for declaratory opinions and MIB's procedures regarding the requests, as required by Mississippi Code 25-43-2.103. These rules are…

It is the mission of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide appropriate and comprehensive services to Mississippians with disabilities in a timely and effective manner. All policy statements expressed within this Office of Vocational Rehabilitation/Offic…

The practice for providing services to MDRS employees who have disabilities are exactly the same as those for providing vocational rehabilitation services to any person with a disability. Every case being considered for vocational rehabilitation services must be subjected to the …

In accordance with requirements of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, MDRS will advise all individuals with disabilities seeking or receiving services through the Department, or their authorized representatives, of the availability and purpose of the Client Assistance Pro…

1. Scope. - The following policy and procedures apply to all public hearings held for the purpose of providing the public with an opportunity to make oral presentations on proposed new policies and amendments to existing policies before the Department (MDRS) that substantially im…

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, with input from the State Rehabilitation Council, will establish and maintain a case record for each applicant and/or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services. This record will contain all information relevant and nece…

The primary purpose of a case record is to facilitate the client-study process. Case records are indispensable as a device by which the Agency maintains and improves the quality of its operations and tests the effectiveness of the services it provides. Good case records are essen…

During early contact with the client, the case recording should emphasize history, present adjustment and environmental situations, and the objective measures of, or reports on, his/her physical and mental capacities. Good documentation provides continuity with respect to all gen…

The case folder in the local district office is considered to be the legal record of the case and should be treated as such by all vocational rehabilitation personnel. All materials must be legible and written in ink or typed. Documentation presented in the case record must be in…

The case record should be organized in such a way as to allow for easy access of information. All materials should be filed in reverse chronological order (most recent on top) based on the date the information was received. The left side of the file should contain all financial i…

Federal and State regulations require the retention of closed client files for a period of three years, beginning with the date of the submission of the final expenditure report for the year during which the case was closed. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other …

When disposing of records, care must be taken to prevent inappropriate disclosure of confidential information contained in Agency files. Such files must be shredded, burned, or otherwise destroyed to prevent the unwarranted use of this information. Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 21-2-2.…

MDRS hereby expresses written policies and procedures to safeguard the confidentiality of all personal information, including photographs and lists of names. These policies and procedures ensure that 1. Specific safeguards are established to protect current and stored personal in…

In the direct course of providing vocational rehabilitation services an employee may disclose confidential information to other Agency employees, who have a legitimate need for the information, without the prior consent of the client. Also, the Agency may share confidential infor…

If an employee of the Agency is subpoenaed for appearance in court, by law the employee must appear at the time and place indicated in the subpoena. Unless specific records are subpoenaed, no files or records should be taken into the courtroom. When a client is involved in litiga…

Information in case records received from, or developed for, the Social Security Administration shall be controlled by the regulations governing confidentiality established by the Social Security Administration. Such information may be contained in the Agency's records as the res…

If information is requested concerning a deceased client, the Agency shall release such information only to the executor of a probated will or the administrator of the estate upon written proof of such status by the court. No other heirs or family members shall be given any infor…

Throughout the rehabilitation process the counselor shall advise applicants or clients, or, if appropriate, their representative, of their right to request a timely review when they are dissatisfied with any determination made by MDRS personnel that affects the provision of vocat…

At no time in which an informal review, mediation, or impartial due process hearing is pending or during the conduct of any informal review, mediation or formal dispute resolution process, shall vocational rehabilitation services being provided to an applicant or client, includin…

Any party who disagrees with the findings and decision of an impartial hearing officer has a right to bring a civil action with respect to the matter in dispute. The action may be brought in any State court of competent jurisdiction or in a district court of the United States of …

The Agency shall determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days after the individual has submitted an application for services. The eligibility determination period may be extended if: (…

It is the sole responsibility of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to determine if an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and to determine the nature and scope of said services. The 1998 Amendments…

Assessment for Determining Eligibility and Vocational Rehabilitation Needs means, as appropriate in each case: i. a review of existing data to: a. to determine eligibility, and, b. to assign priority for an order of selection;2. to the extent necessary, the provision of appropria…

It is the intent of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to all eligible individuals who apply for services. In the event that vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided to all eligible applic…

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Notes 32 Miss. Code. R. 21-6-6.0

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services is required to initiate an Individualized Plan for Employment, periodically update it, and conduct an annual IPE review for each eligible individual being provided services. Vocational rehabilitation services must be provided …

The intended purpose of the IPE is to document and describe the required rehabilitation services necessary for the client to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment. It shall be presumed that an individual can benefit in terms of a specific employment outcome through sp…

The IPE must be initiated after eligibility determination by a qualified rehabilitation counselor has occurred. The Agency shall determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days after the …