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Employment & Training Programs and Services

Published Date: December 14, 2021
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Career & Employment Information Services

Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES)

Review of Decision

AUTHORITY


Government Organization Act
Workforce Development Agreement
Income and Employment Supports Act, Part 2 Section 12,
Disability-Related Employment Supports and Services Regulation
Disability Related Employment Supports Ministerial Order 

INTENT

To provide individuals a mechanism to request a review of a DRES funding for supports/services decision.


POLICY

Individuals requesting a review of a DRES funding for supports/services decision must initiate the DRES Review process within 30 calendar days from the date the individual is notified of the original decision.

The first step in the review process is the Administrative Review. If an individual does not agree with the outcome of the Administrative Review they can initiate an Executive Director Review.

If the individual is eligible for DRES but their request exceeds the maximum funding amount that is outlined in the policy then Zone Director’s Approval is required. The Zone Director may approve any amount for supports and/or services unless it has been otherwise stipulated in the Disability Related Employment Supports Regulation.

PROCESS

An Authorized Official makes an eligibility decision when an individual applies for DRES funding for supports/services.

The Authorized Official documents the decision and notifies the individual of the decision in writing. In the written notification the individual must be informed of their right to an Administrative Review, the review process, and the time limit to request a review.

If an individual initiates the DRES review process they must do so within 30 calendar days of being notified of the original decision. The individual notifies the Authorized Official in writing of their request to review the DRES funding for supports/services decision.

1. Administrative Review

The Supervisor (or designate) of the Authorized Official completes the Administrative Review.

  1. The individual must be notified in writing of the results of the Administrative Review within 30 calendar days from the date the individual’s request for review is received by the Authorized Official.
  2. If the Supervisor upholds the initial decision, the individual must be informed in writing of the decision, the next review level (the Executive Director, Employment Services Review), the time limit to request the review, and provided with the form ‘Request for Review’ (EMP 3630).

 

2. Zone Director’s Approval to Exceed Policy Maximumns

Zone Director’s Approvals are used when an eligible individual’s request for DRES is to exceed the maximum funding amount that is outlined in the policy.

If the request is denied by the Zone Director, the individual must be notified in writing of the decision within 30 calendar days from the date the Zone Director received the request.  


3. Executive Director, Employment Services, Review

An Executive Director, Employment Services, Review is initiated when an individual does not agree with the outcome of an Administrative Review.

A request to review the Administrative Review may be made to the Executive Director, Employment Services within 30 calendar days from the date the individual is notified of the outcome of the Administrative Review.

The Disability Related Employment Supports Review Committee (DRESRC) assists the Executive Director, Employment Services in their review. The DRESRC provides an objective review to ensure decisions are fair and equitable and are within parameters established by legislation, regulations, policy and agreements.

DRESRC members are government employees appointed by the Minister of Community and Social Services.  Lead by the Executive Director, the DRESRC Members are:

  1. Senior Program Planner assigned to DRES Policy, Career and Employment Information Services, Financial Supports, Delivery Services Portfolio, Community and Social Services (or designate).  
  2. Director, Program Development and Innovation, Disabilities, Inclusion and Accessibility, Community and Social Services (or designate).  
  3. Director, Student Services, Student Aid, Advanced Education (or designate).


If new or additional information that has not been previously considered is provided to the Executive Director, Financial Supports Branch, the Executive Director, Income and Employment Supports Branch will not proceed until the Community and Social Services Authorized Official who made the initial decision has considered it. The DRESRC Secretary will forward the new or additional information to the Community and Social Services Authorized Official for their consideration and decision.

The individual will be notified that their ‘Request for Review under Disability Related Employment Supports’ has been received and the date on which it will be reviewed by the Executive Director, Employment Services.

There is no requirement for the individual to attend the Executive Director, Employment Services Review, but if they wish to attend, they may. If they plan to have another individual(s) in attendance with them at the review, they must advise the Executive Director, Employment Services. If the individual decides to send someone to represent them at the review, written consent must be provided to the Executive Director, Employment Services.

The intent of the individual attending the hearing is to observe the process and discussion of the review. As only the information presented at the time of decision is reviewed, there is no opportunity for the individual to present additional information.

No funds are issued to individuals for travel expenses related to the Executive Director, Employment Services Review. Remote or virtual attendance is available should the individual not be able to travel to the review Decisions of the Executive Director, Employment Services are final and not subject to appeal.

RELATED POLICIES

CEIS Overview

DRES General Policy Overview

DRES Eligibility Policy

DRES Supports and Services Policy

DRES Education Supports

DRES Job Search Supports

DRES Workplace Supports