AWARE™ Authority Levels

Updated: 10/26/23

Reminders:

When costs are projected to be between $500 and $5,000, documentation of comparative pricing must be contained in AWARE™ (see RSM 3, Section 1009.02).
When costs are projected to be over $5,000, the competitive bid process applies (see RSM 3, Section 1009.03).
All approval requests must go through District Supervisor to appropriate level.
VR Specialists I and II with less than 12 months of experience at DORS are not approved to issue authorizations.
VR Specialists I and II may not issue an Individualized Plan for Employment.

AWARE™ Activities	Approval Level
Eligibility/OOS Determination Date	Primary VR Specialist drafts. Supervisor, Program Manager or VR Technical Specialist with "Supervisor Back-Up" security verifies review/approval with date entry on the eligibility determination page and ensures letter is sent.
Eligibility Determination Extension Date	VR Specialist documents rationale and consumer agreement. Supervisor approves/enters date/ensures letter is sent.
Trial Work Experience Plan Date	VR Specialist drafts TWE Plan and secures consumer signature. Supervisor approves and enters date.
Plan Development Extension Date	VR Specialist documents rationale and consumer agreement. Supervisor approves/enters date/ensures letter is sent.
Authorizations up to $1,000	Experienced VR Specialist II with at least 12 months experience with DORS. ("Basic 2" security).
Authorizations up to $1,500	Experienced VR Specialist II with at least 18 months experience with DORS ("Full" security).
Authorizations up to $2,500	Experienced VR Specialist II with at least 3 years of experience with DORS ("Lead" security).
Authorizations up to $4,900	ILOB Technical Specialist/OBVS Technical Specialist; VR Technical Specialist 1; VR Technical Specialist 2 & VR Technical Specialist 2 with Referral Back-Up
Authorizations up to $7,500	OBVS District Supervisors
Authorizations up to $15,000	VR District Supervisor and VR Technical Specialist 2 with Supervisor Back-Up; OBVS Supervisor and OBVS Staff Specialist III
Authorizations up to $25,000	OFS Program Manager II/OBVS Program Manager II
Authorizations up to $30,000	Program Manager III
Authorizations up to $50,000	OFS/OBVS Director
Authorizations above $50,000	DORS Director or designee
Authorizations drafted for payment for invoices received after case is closed	Regional Administrative Specialist drafts, OFS/OBVS Director approves and issues, if possible, or sends to AWAREFIELDSUPPORT to issue.
ILOB Agency Cost up to $7,500	ILOB Technical Specialist
IPE Agency Cost up to $7,500	VR Technical Specialist 1
IPE Agency Cost up to $10,000	OFS VR Technical Specialist 2 and VR Technical Specialist 2 with Referral Back-Up; OBVS Technical Specialist
IPE Agency Cost up to $25,000	VR District Supervisor and Technical Specialist 2 with Supervisor Back-Up
IPE Agency Cost up to $40,000	OBVS Supervisor & OBVS Technical Specialist with Supervisor Back-Up
IPE Agency Cost up to $50,000	OFS Program Manager II
IPE Agency Cost up to $50,000	OFS Program Manager III
IPE Agency cost up to $250,000	OFS/OBVS Director
IPE Agency cost above $250,000	DORS Director or designee
IPE Single Service Agency Cost Up to $15,000	OFS Regional Director/OBVS Program Manager
IPE Single Service Agency Cost Over $15,000	OFS/OBVS Director
IPE Technical Edit: Service Categories	Supervisor – approve and complete edits
IPE Technical Edit: Estimated Agency Cost for Service Categories	Completed by Supervisor, Administrative Supervisor, Regional Director, OFS/OBVS Director, or DORS Director or designee, as allowed consistent with IPE Agency Cost authority level.
IPE Technical Edit: Employment Goal	Regional Director/OBVS Supervisor approves, AWARE™ Staff Specialist enters.
Case closure before service status	Completed by VR Specialist II (Full or above) or VR Technical Specialist or VR District Supervisors.
Case closure after service status	VR Specialist Supervisor or designated VR Technical Specialist with "Supervisor Back-Up" security verifies review/approval with date entry on the closure page.
Rescind closure – Closed-Other	VR Supervisor approves and enters case note. AWARE™ Staff Specialist completes, if possible, or recommends new case creation.
Rescind closure – Closed-Rehab	Regional Director/OBVS supervisor approves and enters case note. AWARE™ Staff Specialist completes, if possible, or recommends new case creation.