Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP) Information for the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) provide a wide variety of vocational rehabilitation services.  Some of these services are provided by Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs).  CRPs are approved vendors who contract with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services through a Request For Proposal, to provide a variety of employment services to individuals with disabilities served by the DVR and DBVI. 

Employment Services provided vary based on the needs and preferences of the individual and are defined in an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that is developed jointly by the individual and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Described below are employment services that may be provided by a CRP.

Employment Services Provided

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICES are designed to assist students with disabilities prepare to enter the world of work.  BRS partners with schools, CRPs, Maine’s Center for Independent Living and other organizations to identify and serve students who will benefit from these services.  Pre-Employment Transition Services can be provided individually, but commonly occur in group settings.

• Download a list and description of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Word)

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES:include a variety of community-based services, described below, designed to assist eligible youth and adults with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment.  Services are typically provided individually.

• Download a list and description of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (Word)

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT: is competitive integrated employment, including customized employment, that is individualized, and customized, consistent with the unique strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual, including with ongoing support services for individuals with the most significant disabilities:

• For whom competitive integrated employment has not historically occurred, or for whom competitive integrated employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability; and
• Who, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities, need intensive supported employment services and extended services after the transition from support provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation agency, in order to perform this work.

Ongoing support services, including customized employment, and other appropriate services needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, in supported employment.

• Download a list and description of Supported Employment Services (Word)
• Download a list and description of Supported Extended Services (Word)

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services’ Quality Indicators for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs)

The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (Division for Vocational Rehabilitation and Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired) has established Quality Indicators to ensure the delivery of high-quality employment services. 

The following quality indicators are standard to ensure a high level of employment services. In order to maintain ongoing CRP accreditation, CRPs will need to show evidence of these quality indicators during the initial review as well as continuing compliance. 

The Quality Indicators for CRPs include:

1. Consumer Choice and Participation:
   • Services must be individualized, reflect the client’s informed choices and personal strengths, and be consistent with the Individualized Plan.
   • CRP actively engages job seeker in planning and delivery of services (does not do for the job seeker what he/she is capable of doing him/herself – fosters independence)

   Business Relations

   • CRP uses multiple, creative approaches to identifying potential job sites
   • Developing and maintaining a comprehensive employer resource base
   • CRP is responsive to employers’ needs – supports the employer but does not “take over” supervision (i.e., respectful of employer’s time, readily available to employer as needed, etc.)
   • Understands and honors the employer’s Human Resource policies and procedures
   • Refers well qualified candidates/good job matches
   • Shares knowledge of resources, training, best practices, etc. with employer and other employees
   • Engages businesses even when they are not hiring
   • Maintains regular contact/communication with each employer
2. Qualified Employment Services Staff: CRP employment services staff must meet specific training requirements, including initial certification as well continuing education.
   • Download more information on Employment Services Staff requirements and qualifications (Word)
3. Dual Customer (Business and Job Seeker) Approach: CRPs use multiple creative approaches to identify potential job sites. They engage with businesses to understand their staffing needs and identify qualified job applicants. The CRP develops a clear understanding of job requirements, work culture, physical environment and any possible reasonable accommodation needs to support a successful job match.
4. Competitive, Integrated Employment Settings: CRPs assist individuals to prepare for and achieve competitive, integrated employment.
   • Download more information on Competitive Integrated Employment (Word)
5. Other Program Operations:
   • Employment sites are assessed as to their appropriateness for the job seeker with regard to: adequacy of supervision, safety, specific work-site requirements, potential job accommodations, accessibility, and expectations for quality and quantity of work, job/task/work culture analyses, potential employment opportunity, and other considerations identified as appropriate to the individual.
   • CRP obtains adequate information from VRC at point of referral and integrates that information into the individual’s service plan
   • Files/plans are kept current and are periodically reviewed internally by CRP
   • Ongoing input and approval are obtained (and documented) from client and VR Counselor or other funding source
   • Job site analysis, including barrier modification when appropriate are completed and documented using the standard BRS job analysis/CBSA form.
   • There is evidence that CRP develops/facilitates natural supports
   • CRP has established procedures for a documented internal records review process
   • There is evidence that Job site training activities utilized by the CRP include at a minimum orientation to job culture and environment, orientation to job duties and responsibilities, work site modifications, assistance in developing strategies for resolving workplace issues, facilitating workplace inclusion and integration, assistance with transportation planning and implementation.
   • There is evidence that Job Support Activities utilized by CRP include at a minimum: Developing a clear understanding of job requirements and functions; maintaining a positive working relationship with employee; maintaining a positive working relationship with employer; providing assistance to employer when appropriate and implementation of a timely plan to fade support

   Current BRS Community Rehabilitation Providers

   • Download the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Regional Map (PDF)

   List of CRPs currently under contract with BRS

   • Download the list of CRPs and Areas Served - updated 05/03/24 (Word)

To inquire about Community Rehabilitation Provider services please call BRS at (207) 623-6799

Doing Business with DHHS and BRS