office of vocational rehabilitation
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Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. OVR and the Early Reach Initiative. Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator. What Do You Know About OVR ?. Today’s Topics. OVR’s Mission OVR Process Service Provision Early Reach Initiative. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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. [email protected]