us department of education: rehabilitation services administration1 overview of the public...
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US Department of Education: Rehabilitation Services Administration
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Overview of the Public Vocational Rehabilitation
Program
Presented by the
U.S. Department of Education
Rehabilitation Services Administration
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Overview of the Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Goal:
The Goal of this session is to provide the participant
with an understanding of the uniqueness of the public
vocational rehabilitation service delivery system.
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Training ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will:
• Understand the individual nature of the VR program.
• Be aware of the range of services available to eligible consumers.
• Understand the framework of the VR program.
• Learn the benefits of collaborating with VR.
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Disability in America
• Millions of Americans have a disability
• Less than 1/3 are employed
• Among the most disadvantaged
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Persons with Disabilities Have The Right To . . .
• Live independently
• Enjoy self-determination• Make choices
• Contribute to society
• Pursue meaningful careers
and . . .
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Enjoy Full Inclusion and Integrationin American Society
• Economically
• Politically
• Socially
• Culturally
• Educationally
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To empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, achieve economic self-sufficiency and independence, and to realize full inclusion and integration into
society.
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Demonstrated Ability
200,000
Americans with
disabilities
achieve employment
each year
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Eligibility for VR Services
• To be eligible for VR services, an individual :
1. Must be an individual with a disability, and
2. Must require VR services to be employed
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Eligibility for VR Services
• 1st Criteria:
Must be a person with a disability
• physical or mental impairment
• substantial barrier to employment
• can benefit from services in terms of employment
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Eligibility for VR Services
• “Employment Outcome”
– Competitive full-time or part-time employment
– Supported employment
– Self-employment
– Other employment . . .
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Eligibility for VR Services
• 2nd Criteria:
The individual with a disability . . .
must require VR services
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• Presumed eligible if:
• Is receiving SSI and/or SSDI• Intends to achieve employment• Is capable of achieving employment
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The Service Delivery System
VR services begin with an individualized assessment and career exploration:
• See a qualified VR counselor
• Collect existing information
• Acquire new information
• Consider the results
• Initiate joint planning
• Specify rehabilitation needs
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The Service Delivery System
A combination of rehabilitation and vocational services become the
Individualized Plan for Employment
• Identify the employment outcome
• Select VR services
• Choose service providers
• Establish timelines
• Identify responsibilities
• Other
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Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Include but are not limited to . . .
• Assessment
• Counseling and guidance
• Referral
• Restoration
• Vocational training• Maintenance & transportation
• Interpreter services
• Reader services• Transition services
• Personal assistance
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Supported Employment
• Tools & equipment
• Job placement
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Key Elements ofConsumer Informed Choice
• an ongoing process
• a joint effort
• a partnership
• consumer driven
• counselor supported
• individualized career placement
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Enabling policy and procedure(in consultation with the SRC)
Long term vocational goal
Vocational rehabilitation services
Service providers
Must also assure:
Appropriate mode of communication
Availability and scope of informed choice
How informed choice may be exercised
Support services if assistance is needed
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• Policies and procedures– Collection of information
– Protection of information
– Use of information
– Release of information
– Recipients of information
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• Criteria for Success– VR services contribution to outcome
– The right job for the individual
– The right workplace
– Employed for 90 days
– Consumer & counselor agreement
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Essential Tenets of the PublicVocational Rehabilitation Program
• Organizational Requirements
• VR Director’s Responsibilities
• Priority of Services to Persons with Significant Disabilities
• Comparable Services & Benefits
• Consumer Partnership
• Qualified Rehabilitation Personnel
• Quality Employment Outcomes
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Organizational Unit Requirements
• Stipulations of the Act
– DSU is responsible for the VR program
– Requires a full-time director
– All staff must do VR work
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VR Director’s Responsibilities
• Determine eligibility• Decide the nature and scope of services• Authorize services• Allocate expenditures• Exercise control of field staff• Establish the suitability of closure
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Priority for services to persons with
significant disabilities when there
are insufficient resources to serve
all eligible persons.
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Comparable Services & Benefits
• Other resources• Exceptions:
– Eligibility & assessment
– Counseling & guidance
– Delays
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State Rehabilitation Council
Purpose
Functions
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Qualified Rehabilitation Personnel
• Educational qualifications
• Medical aspects of disability
• Counseling and guidance
• Case management
• Rehabilitation technology
• Informed choice
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Other disability-related law
• Work incentive programs
• Employment issues
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Successful RehabilitationRequires
Quality
Employment
Outcomes
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What Does VR Have to Offer?
• Knowledge of:
– informed choice
– disability
– disability law
– accessibility
– assistive technology
– career development
– job modification
– community resources
• Experience with:
– employers
– networking
– disability management
– youth with disabilities
– rehabilitation providers
– consumer groups
– workplace supports and accommodations
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