SECTION 856.84. Initial Eligibility

(a) To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC), an individual must be:

(1) at least 18 years of age;

(2) legally blind or deafblind;

(3) a current VR customer; and

(4) referred by a VR counselor for services at CCRC.

(b) Any individual described in subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a computerized criminal history (CCH) check, and the results of the CCH will be evaluated as to the individual's eligibility for VR services at CCRC. A risk evaluation must be completed if the CCH check identifies a criminal history. The Agency will perform a risk evaluation to include the following factors, but not be limited to the:

(1) severity of the offense;

(2) time frame of the offense;

(3) rehabilitation of the customer; and

(4) parole and community supervision terms.

(c) A customer who is receiving services from an entity in another state and who otherwise meets the requirements set out in subsections (a) and (b) of this section may be considered for admission and training on a space-available basis, subject to an agreement between the out-of-state entity and the Agency on payment of cost of services provided to the individual.

Source Note: The provisions of this §856.84 adopted to be effective August 21, 2018, 43 TexReg 5398; amended to be effective December 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 8740