office of vocational rehabilitation

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Amanda Smith, MSW, LSWEarly Reach Coordinator

OVR and the Early Reach Initiative

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

What Do You Know About OVR?

Today’s Topics

• OVR’s Mission• OVR Process• Service Provision• Early Reach Initiative

OVR’s Mission

To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities secure and maintain employment and independence

What Disabilities Might Be Eligible?

• Autism• ADHD• Anxiety• Cerebral Palsy• Depression• Diabetes• Dyslexia• Epilepsy• Hearing Impairments• Intellectual Disability• Learning Disability

• Multiple Sclerosis• OCD• Physical Disabilities• Post Traumatic Stress

Disorder• Speech Impairment• Skeletal and Joint

Disease• Substance Use

Disorders• Traumatic Brain Injury• Visual Impairments

OVR Process

Referral

Application

Assessment & Review

Eligibility

Set Job Goal

Develop plan to obtain goal

Referral

Application

Assessment & Review

EligibilityCounselor should ask: Does this individual have an impairment, and

does it constitute a substantial impediment to employment?

Does this individual require vocational rehabilitation services to maintain employment or become employed?

Is the individual able to benefit from OVR services to achieve employment?

The individual must have physical, mental, or sensory impairments that seriously limit three or more of the individual’s functional capacities: Mobility Self-Care Work Tolerance Interpersonal Skills Work Skills Communication Self Direction

Eligibility

Set Job Goal

Develop plan

Service Provision

• Diagnostic Services• Vocational Evaluation• Counseling & Guidance• Training• Restoration Services• Placement Assistance• Assistive Technology

Early Reach Initiative

• Outreach• Education• Consultation

Early Reach? How early? Am I eligible?

Early Reach Initiative

• Assist youth with a disability in preparing for their transition into the world of work and independence

• Reach individuals at age 14• Provide outreach through

group presentations• Prepare youth for their work

with a vocational rehabilitation counselor

Who Could Benefit From Group Outreach?

• Students/Classrooms

• Teachers

• Supports Coordinators

• Children and Youth Services Employees

• Support Groups

• Trauma Centers

• Pediatricians

• IU Meetings

• Career/Health Fairs

• Medical Specialists

• Disability Organizations

• County MH/ID

• Blended Case Managers

• Students with IEPs

or 504s

Who Could Benefit from Individual Outreach?

• Youth with a disability who: • Would like to learn more about OVR services• Are14 and up and may not be ready to work

with an OVR counselor• Youth who have dropped out• Youth without natural supports• Individuals in the foster system• Homeless youth• Youth involved in the criminal justice system• Youth with mental health concerns• Youth without services or without appropriate

services

Presentation Topics

>

OVR Basics

What is Transition?Soft Skills

& Hard Skills

Career Exploration

Getting Ready for

Work

Interviewing Skills

Advocacy Skills & Self Determinatio

n

Exploring Colleges

Goals and Outcomes

>

1. Cohesiveness & collaboration

2. Community members will have an accurate understanding of OVR Services

3. Increase of appropriate referrals for service

4. Customers will come to OVR prepared for services

5. Increase of customer investment

6. Empowerment & Self-Advocacy of customers

Early Reach Initiative

Providing outreach to students, families & community organizations

Reaching out PURPOSEFULLY & CREATIVELY

Whaaaaaat?

Early Reach Coordinators

>

Early Reach Coordinators

THANK YOU!

Referrals can be made in person or by calling the Washington Office of Vocational Rehabilitation201 W. Wheeling StreetWashington, PA 15301724-223-4430

Amanda Smith, MSW, LSWEarly Reach Coordinator724-223-4430, ext. 238amandsmith@pa.gov