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Resources for TWC's Vocational Rehabilitation Community Rehabilitation Providers.

What is a Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP)?

  • Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) are agencies or individuals approved to provide VR services to individuals with disabilities in coordination with the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. CRPs may be contracted or non-contracted.
  • Contracting opportunities include the services described in the Standards for Provider Manual and other opportunities such as Request for Proposal.
    • TWC-VR posts contracting opportunities on the Electronic State Business Daily-TXSmartBuy
    • This video provides additional information for organizations interested in becoming an approved vendor. Electronic State Business Daily Search.
  • Non-contracted provider opportunities may include the provision of services such as medical services, ASD Supports and Applied Behavior Analysis, services from Proprietary Schools, or Support Services. The scope of work is described on the service authorization.

Are you interested in being a vendor?

Provider Resources

For inquiries or questions email us.

Vocational Rehabilitation Service Forms

Questions about VR forms can be emailed to vrsm.support@twc.texas.gov.

This is the current fiscal year listing of notices related to 30-day review postings of changes, clarifications, or expectations to the VR Standards for Provider.

For previous fiscal year notices please see Notice to Providers Archives.

11/01/2023 Notice to Providers

Effective 11/01/2023, the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has updated the VR3455, Provider Staff Information Form to include verification that the required criminal background check has been run for the staff member recorded on the form. The updated form is available on the webpage VR Service Forms.

Contractors who are required to submit the VR3455 must complete and submit the updated form for all their staff members who provide services listed on the form to TWC-VR customers. The updated VR3455 must be submitted to either the TWC-VR regional quality assurance specialist (Q) or TWC-VR regional program support specialist (RPSS) no later than April 30, 2024. For more information about Qs and RPSSs along with their contact details, review the list of TWC-VR Services and Subject Matter Experts.

Additional resources, including a Background Check FAQ, are available in the section "Criminal Background Requirements" on this page.

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

10/02/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission has updated its external-facing webpages, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers (VR-SFP) Manual has been moved into Microsoft Word documents. In addition, the web addresses for the manual and the Provider Resources page have changed. 

Please update your bookmarks and favorites with the new web addresses below.

We also recommend reviewing a new on demand webinar titled “Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manual and Standards for Providers Manual: Format Change.” The webinar addresses the switch to Microsoft Word documents.

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

09/20/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has posted a new on demand webinar titled “Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manual and Standards for Providers Manual: Format Change.” The webinar gives users a sneak peek at the new format of the VR policy manuals that will be moved into Microsoft Word documents on Oct. 1, 2023. A direct link to the webinar is below.

Webinar: Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manual and Standards for Providers Manual: Format Change

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

09/01/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission is updating its external-facing webpages, which will cause the current web-based policy manuals to be unavailable. Therefore, the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Standards for Providers (SFP) Manual will be moved into Microsoft Word documents on Oct. 1, 2023. 

The updated table of contents webpage for the SFP Manual will look like the current version, except the design will be more modern. When you click on a chapter, a Microsoft Word document will open or download to your device, depending on your browser’s settings. At the bottom of the webpage, there also will be a link to a single Word document that contains all chapters within the SFP Manual.

Next month, a new on-demand webinar will be posted that gives users a sneak peek at the new format along with helpful tips on searching the documents. This update will also be discussed at the Sept. 19, 2023, virtual meeting for VR providers.

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

08/02/2023 Notice to Providers

Provider Meeting Registration: The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) invites VR providers to participate in a virtual meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

The purpose of this meeting is to continue ongoing dialog and collaboration.

Please email your provider-related questions to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov no later than Monday, September 04, 2023. Type “Provider Meeting” in the email’s subject line.

The meeting agenda includes:

  • Welcome and Introductions.
  • Updates from Regional Providers and Discussion of Identified Topics.
  • VR Updates
  • Answers to Questions Submitted by Providers.
  • Wrap-up and Next Steps.

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov. 

08/01/2023 Notice to Providers

Effective August 1, 2023, providers must comply with the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division’s (TWC-VR) requirement to run a criminal background check for contractors’ staff who provide goods or services directly and/or interact with VR customers in accordance with VR Standards for Providers Manual Chapter 3: Basic Standards.

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) posted an On Demand Webinar titled “Background and National Public Sex Offender Requirements”. A Direct link to the webinar is below.

The following documents are also posted for reference:

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

07/03/2023 Notice to Providers

Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) revised chapters in the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers Manual (VR-SFP) to expand the staff trainer qualifications and provide flexibility in training parameters for older individuals who are blind. 

The following revisions go into effect July 3, 2023:

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

06/26/2023 Notice to Providers

Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has developed a universal referral form that goes into effect June 26, 2023. The new form, VR5000, Referral for Provider Services, replaces the following forms:

  • VR1629, Referral for Career Planning Assessment
  • VR1631, Referral for Supported Employment Services
  • VR1800, Self-Employment Referral
  • VR1836, Vocational Evaluation Referral
  • VR1840, Job Placement Services – Referral
  • VR1991, Referral for Embedded Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
  • VR2883, Diabetes Self-Management Education Referral Form
  • VR3360, Referral for Project SEARCH
  • VR3380, Referral for Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
  • VR3383, Supported Residential Referral Form
  • VR3420, Employment Support for Brain Injury – Referral
  • VR3424, Referral for Psychological Evaluation
  • VR3121, Referral for Work Readiness Services (for vocational adjustment training (VAT) services only)

Form VR3121 has been renamed to "Referral for Personal Social Adjustment Training and Work Adjustment Training."

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

06/01/2023 Notice to Providers

Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) is revising chapters in the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers Manual (VR-SFP) to expand the staff trainer qualifications and provide flexibility in training parameters for older individuals who are blind. 

These revisions will go into effect July 3, 2023. The following documents are posted for the 30-day review period:

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.
 

05/26/2023 Notice to Providers

Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has developed a universal referral form. The new form, VR5000, Referral for Provider Services, will replace the following forms:

  • VR1629, Referral for Career Planning Assessment
  • VR1631, Referral for Supported Employment Services
  • VR1800, Self-Employment Referral
  • VR1836, Vocational Evaluation Referral
  • VR1840, Job Placement Services – Referral
  • VR1991, Referral for Embedded Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
  • VR2883, Diabetes Self-Management Education Referral Form
  • VR3360, Referral for Project SEARCH
  • VR3380, Referral for Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
  • VR3383, Supported Residential Referral Form
  • VR3420, Employment Support for Brain Injury – Referral
  • VR3424, Referral for Psychological Evaluation
  • VR3121, Referral for Work Readiness Services (for vocational adjustment training (VAT) services only)

Form VR3121 will be renamed to "Referral for Personal Social Adjustment Training and Work Adjustment Training." 

The new forms will go into effect June 26, 2023.  The following documents are posted for the 30-day review period:

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

05/17/23 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has posted two new On Demand Webinars that were presented during a TWC-VR Provider Call on May. 16, 2023. Direct links to the webinars are below.

The Background Requirement policy and forms can be found at:

05/15/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has updated the following section and form in the “VR Standards for Providers Manual (SFP)”:

  • SFP Chapter 3, Section 2.18 Background Checks
  • Form VR1307 Background Checks Attestation and Release Form

Contractors must comply with the new policy no later than Aug. 1, 2023.

The following resources accompany the background checks requirement:

A background checks webinar will be posted Tuesday, May 16th, 2023.

04/18/2023 Notice to Providers

Provider Meeting Registration: The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) invites VR providers to participate in a virtual meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

The purpose of this meeting is to continue ongoing dialog and collaboration.

Please email your provider-related questions to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov no later than Monday, May 01, 2023. Type “Provider Meeting” in the email’s subject line.

The meeting agenda includes:

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Updates from Regional Providers and Discussion of Identified Topics
  • VR Updates
  • Background and National Public Sex Offender Search Requirements
  • Answers to Questions Submitted by Providers
  • Wrap-up and Next Steps

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov. 

04/14/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) is adding a requirement to VR Standards for Providers (SFP) Manual Chapter 3: Basic Standards. TWC-VR is requiring contractors that provide goods or services directly to VR customers to run a criminal background check on each staff member who will interact with any VR customer. 

The new policy will go into effect May 15, 2023. Contractors must comply with the new policy no later than Aug. 1, 2023.

The following documents are posted for the 30-day review period:

The new policy will be discussed at the next Quarterly Provider Call, May 16, 2023. More information about the call, including how to register, is coming soon.

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

02/15/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has posted four new On Demand Webinars that were presented during a TWC-VR Provider Call on Feb. 7, 2023. Direct links to the webinars are below.

TWC-VR also wants to clarify guidance provided during the Provider Call on incident reporting; see the question and answer below.

Question: Does a provider need to complete Form VR3446, Incident Report when VR staff fail to send an email with Personal Identifiable Information (PII), Sensitive Personal Information (SPI), and Protected Health Information (PHI) encrypted?

Answer: Yes. When a provider receives an email with PII, SPI and/or PHI from VR staff they must submit a Form VR3446, Incident Report.

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

02/01/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has updated the following chapters and forms in the “VR Standards for Providers Manual (SFP)”:

  • SFP Chapter 3: Basic Standards.
  • SFP Chapter 17: Basic Employment.
  • SFP Chapter 18: Supported Employment Services.
  • Form VR3446, Incident Report (new form).
  • Form VR3473, Customer Orientation Checklist (new form).

The updates reduce burdensome requirements, clarify requirements, and streamline the chapters’ content. TWC-VR also updated provider forms impacted by these updates.

If you have questions about this announcement, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

01/30/2023 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) will open course registration for the UNT WISE Blind Premium Endorsement on Jan. 30, 2023.

Prerequisites include successfully completing four other courses:

The UNT WISE Blind Premium course is self-paced and hosted completely online in the Canvas learning system.  A score of 75% or higher on the course’s final exam to receive the premium endorsement.

For more information, refer to the VR Standards for Providers Manual, Chapter 20 Premiums, section 20.11 Blind Premium.

For questions about this notice, email untwise@unt.edu or vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

*NRTC = National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision

01/18/2023 Notice to Providers

Provider Meeting Registration: The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) invites VR providers to participate in a virtual meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023.

The purpose of this meeting is to continue ongoing dialog and collaboration.

Please email your provider-related questions to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov no later than Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Type “Provider Meeting” in the email’s subject line.

The meeting agenda includes:

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov. 

  • Welcome and Introductions
  • Updates from Regional Providers and Discussion of Identified Topics
  • VR Updates/Training
  • Answers to Questions Submitted by Providers
  • Wrap-up and Next Steps
     

12/30/2022 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) is updating “VR Standards for Providers (SFP) Chapter 3: Basic Standards.” The updates reduce burdensome requirements, clarify requirements, and streamline the chapter's content.

These changes will apply to all contractors who provide services or goods listed in the SFP manual. For a summary of changes, refer to the Overview of Revisions to SFP 3: Basic Standards.

The following SFP content will go into effect Feb. 1, 2023:

This content is currently posted for the 30-day review period.

If you have questions about this announcement, please email the VR Standards mailbox at vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

11/02/2022 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) has updated “Chapter 20: Premiums” in the VR Standards for Providers Manual (SFP). The chapter now includes new information for a blind premium and a new SFP form, “VR1883, Blind Premium Report.”

The updated chapter and new form are effective November 1, 2022.

If you have questions about this announcement, please email the VR Standards mailbox at vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.
 

10/20/2022 Notice to Providers

​​​​​​Provider Meeting Registration:

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) invites VR providers to participate in a virtual meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) on November 15, 2022. 

The purpose of this meeting is to continue ongoing dialog and collaboration. 

Please email your provider-related questions to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov no later than Thursday, November 10, 2022. Type “Provider Meeting” in the email’s subject line.

The Meeting Agenda includes:

•    Welcome and Introductions
•    Updates from Regional Providers and Discussion of Identified Topics
•    VR Updates/Training
•    Answers to Questions Submitted by Providers
•    Wrap-up and Next Steps

For questions about this notice, email vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.


09/30/2022 Notice to Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) is introducing the Blind Premium for Employment Services purchased through the Vocational Rehabilitation Standards for Providers (SFP) Manual, Chapter 20: Premiums. 
Review section 20.11 Blind Premium for the services description, staff qualifications, outcomes requirement for payment and fees. The new fees will go into effect Nov. 1, 2022, and are currently posted for the 30-day review period.
If you have questions about the update, email the VR Standards mailbox at vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

09/01/2022 Notice to Providers

Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) is introducing the Provider Feedback Form (VR1200). Providers are encouraged to initially submit feedback by phone or email to their local and/or regional offices for collaborative resolution. Local/regional VRD staff that can assist with provider feedback includes the:

If a resolution at the local and/or regional level cannot be reached, the provider may escalate the feedback by completing and submitting form VR1200. Form VR1200 and the Provider Feedback Form Instructions are now available on the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Forms web page. The form will be processed in accordance with the Provider Feedback Form Instructions.

The VR1200 and Provider Feedback Form Instructions can be found on the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Forms page.

Questions may be submitted to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov.

  • Rehabilitation Assistant
  • VR Counselor
  • Unit Purchasing Specialist
  • Local Provider Liaison
  • Medical Services Coordinator
  • Unit Support Coordinator
  • VR Unit Supervisor
  • VR Unit Manager
  • Regional Quality Assurance Program Specialist
  • Regional Program Support Specialist
  • Deputy Regional Director
  • Regional Director

VR-Standards for Providers (VR-SFP) Manual

Manual Overview

The VR Standards for Providers:

  • Helps ensure TWC customers receive quality services to assist them in achieving a successful outcome to their vocational rehabilitation or independent living goals
  • Helps to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely and each purchase paid for with public funds represents full value to the taxpayer
  • Provides published standards for maintaining compliance
  • Provides criteria in order to meet TWC performance expectations for each purchase

The latest update to this manual is reflected in the chapters below. Any printed versions may not contain the latest policy changes.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manual (VRSM)

Manual Overview

The VR Services Manual:

  • Helps ensure VR customers receive quality services to assist them in achieving successful competitive integrated employment outcomes as a result of their participation in vocational rehabilitation services.
  • Helps to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely and each purchase paid for with public funds represents full value to the taxpayer
  • Provides published policies and procedures for maintaining compliance with federal and state laws, statutes, and rules or regulations

The latest update to this manual is reflected in the chapters below. Any printed versions may not contain the latest policy changes.

Contractors must comply with the new criminal background policy no later than Aug. 1, 2023.

Please see the following resources and references:

A background checks webinar.

Background and National Public Sex Offender Requirements 

Version DateMost Recent Update: 06/23/2023
06/23/2023Terms and Conditions for Vendors Services
04/24/2020Terms and Conditions for Vendor Services

The following videos feature instruction on common inquiries from VR vendors:

Want to stay current on TWC-VR?

Sign up for VR Contractors and Providers News emails.

We have exciting news! TWC’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Provider Locator is now available. Staff and customers can easily search for VR providers by zip code, location radius, service category, and contract type. This interactive search tool helps everyone make more informed choices by identifying service providers near VR customers.

For step-by-step instructions, refer to the Provider Locator Tool documentation or view the Provider Locator video for a demonstration on how to use and navigate the tool.

For questions about this tool or to report any issues, please use the VR Provider Locator form.

Related Topics
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
VR Contracts - Responding to Notice of Adverse Action
Contracting Opportunities
Economic Development
Grant Opportunities
VR Standards for Providers Team
Email
vr.standards@twc.texas.gov