DDD, has difficult child been evaluated by the Division of Developmental Disabilities?
This is the info from our state.
Welcome to VR!
When you become a VR consumer, your rehabilitation plan will focus on your abilities and new possibilities. The goal is gainful employment!
Applying for vocational services may be your own idea, or services may be recommended by family members or:
- Teachers or guidance counselors
- Doctors or other health professionals
- Mental health professionals
- Counselors or professionals from the judicial system
If you have ever wondered how you could benefit from a vocational rehabilitation program and what your employment options are, remember that the VR staff are ready to answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Who is Eligible?
You are eligible for VR services if:
- You have a physical, mental, learning disability, or emotional impairment that affects your ability to find or maintain employment, and
- You require VR services to get ready for, find or keep a job
You and your rehabilitation counselor will develop a partnership and explore your options throughout the rehabilitation process.
The Interview
During the interview you will learn about the vocational rehabilitation program and, if you choose to apply for services, you may complete an application.
To meet your individual needs, your VR counselor will need some background information on your disability. During your initial interview, you may be asked to:
- Provide medical records. (If you have been referred to VR by a doctor or another professional, you may have been given these records and asked to bring them to your interview.)
- Sign a release form so your counselor may obtain this important information.
- Have a medical, psychological, vocational, or other evaluation that will be arranged by your counselor.
You and your rehabilitation counselor will develop a partnership and explore your options throughout the rehabilitation process.
Your First VR Appointment
During your first appointment, you will meet with a VR staff member who will spend time getting to know you and learning about your needs, desires and challenges.
Your VR counselor will:
- Guide you through each phase of the process
- Explain the eligibility requirements for VR services
- Help you plan and meet your goals
- Follow federal and state policy while enabling you to use VR services
Once you and, if necessary, your parent or guardian have signed the application for services, the rehabilitation process begins. With your help, your counselor will review existing medical information and make a determination on your eligibility, usually within 60 days.
Eligibility
Again, you are eligible for VR services if:
- You have a physical, mental, learning disability, or emotional impairment that affects your ability to find or maintain employment, and
- You require VR services to get ready for, to find, or to keep a job
If you are eligible, you and your counselor will identify your individual needs, interests, vocational aptitudes, and how you think and learn in order to develop your Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE). Many supporting services may be available to help in these areas. In your IPE, you and your counselor will determine the responsibilities that each of you will have and the length of time that services should last.
Preliminary Assessment
An Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) will be developed when you are eligible. During this stage, you and your counselor will plan what to do in order for you to successfully find a job.
Developing Your Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE)
Your plan will include the following:
- Your vocational objectives
- Services
- Counselor comments
- Yours and your counselors responsibilities
- Your input, and
- The IPE handbook
Your Vocational Goal
This is the type of work or job that you and your counselor have agreed upon and plan to achieve as the focus of your IPE.
The Objectives
This part of your plan identifies:
- Actions that need to be taken to provide support or overcome
- Limitations resulting from your disability
- The desired results of these actions
- The way your progress will be measured
- How often the actions will be reviewed, and
- When the goal should be reached
The Services
Vocational rehabilitation offers four major services
- Job Placement
- Guidance and Counseling
- Restoration
- Training
- Post-employment support
Many supporting services are available in each of these areas. In this part of your plan, you and your counselor will determine who is responsible for providing your rehabilitative services and how long these services should last.
Counselor Comments
Your counselor will complete this section to explain how you both, in partnership, agreed upon your vocational goal.
Your Responsibilities
The part you play in completing the plan is most important. Your responsibilities will be clearly identified. Your counselor will work with you to be sure you understand what you are responsible for and how to meet your goals.
Client Statement
Your opinion about your plan is very important. The client statement is your opportunity to comment in your own words.
The Handbook
Your counselor will go over the handbook with you, answer your questions and ask you to sign a statement saying that you received the book and understand the contents.
The Goal
If you have never worked or cannot return to the kind of work you have done in the past, you may benefit from help with identifying different types of jobs that are related to your abilities. In this case, your counselor will make some recommendations based on the evaluations or tests you have taken and the interests you have expressed in previous steps. You may change your goal later but it is best to have a good idea from the start if possible. Your plan will identify what services you need to achieve your goal of successful employment.
Services
As outlined in your plan, VR services may last from a few months to several years, depending on your individual needs. Services can be provided by:
- Your VR counselor and other VR staff
- Community rehabilitation programs
- Community colleges and universities
- Treatment centers
- Mental health centers
Your plan will identify what services you need to achieve your goal of successful employment. The following services will be offered at no cost to you, if needed, to meet your vocational goal:
- Testing, evaluations and further assessments needed for planning
- Guidance and counseling
- Rehabilitation engineering services
- Interpreter services
- Supported employment services
- Job-seeking skills training
- Job placement and follow-up
If needed to meet your vocational goal, the following services may be provided, depending on your income level:
- Training for job skills
- Community rehabilitation program training
- Medical services such as hospital care or psychiatric treatment
- Books, maintenance and transportation services while you are in training
- Services to family members
- Telecommunication, sensory and other technological aids and devices
- Other related goods and services
Making Use Of Resources
As your counselor will explain to you, VR funds are not used when other resources, such as insurance or grants are available. Your plan will outline how to make the best use of all available resources.
Client Assistance Program
If a problem arises that you and your counselor cannot resolve at any time during the vocational rehabilitation process, you may contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP)
.
The goal of this program is to assist you in understanding and using rehabilitation services. You can reach the CAP staff at (919)XXXXXX.
Facts about an administrative review and appeals hearing:
- You must submit a written request for an appeals hearing.
- The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services must hold a hearing within forty-five (45) days unless both parties agree to an extension.
- Your written request must state whether you want an administrative review (an informal review) and an appeals hearing or an appeals hearing only.
- There must be a clear statement of what you want to appeal.
Participation in an administrative review is not required before an appeals hearing. However, in many cases your concern may be resolved in an administrative review alone. The administrative review will not delay the appeals hearing.
The CAP staff can:
- Answer your questions about VR
- Work with you and your counselor to solve problems
- Advise you on how to appeal decisions that remain unsolved following informal discussions
- Direct you to other resources as necessary
- Answer your questions about VR
- Work with you and your counselor to solve problems
- Advise you on how to appeal decisions that remain unsolved following informal discussions
- Direct you to other resources as necessary
It is your responsibility to express concerns and/or satisfaction and participate during the entire VR process. Communication is often the key to a successful job match.
Partnership
You and your VR counselor will be partners throughout the rehabilitation process. It is your responsibility to work with your counselor in planning and completing your rehabilitation plan. Your counselor will assist you in making informed choices related to your objectives and the services you will receive.
What If?
- If you move anywhere in the state, your counselor can transfer your records to the office closest to your new residence.
- If you move out of state, your counselor may not always have to close your case record but, if necessary, can give you information about contacting Vocational Rehabilitation in the state where you move.
- If you decide to take a job without the assistance of VR services, please contact your counselor.
- If you cannot complete your plan for other reasons, please call or meet with your counselor to discuss your situation.
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation receives guidance from the Vocational Rehabilitation Council, a group of citizens from across the state who are appointed by the Governor,
Many of the council members are individuals with disabilities who have received vocational rehabilitation services themselves and understand your special needs. They are also members of disability advocacy groups and representatives of rehabilitation hospitals, community rehabilitation programs, labor and industry, and employers
.
If you qualify for services, you and your counselor will design a program to meet your needs. Together, you will work to achieve the goal of gainful employment.