PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Introduction to OVR & the Early Reach Initiative Presented By: Norristown District Office
OVR Mission Statement: The mission of OVR is to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain competitive employment.
How OVR Defines Disability: Physical disabilities Developmental disabilities Head Trauma Spinal Cord Injury Speech Impairment Visual Impairment Hearing Impairment Drug Addiction Mental Health Issues Diabetes Epilepsy Cerebral Palsy Skeletal & Joint Disease
OVR SERVICES: Early Reach Initiative Counseling & Guidance Services Job Placement Services Diagnostic Services Restoration Services On the Job Training Medical & Vocational Evaluation Training Services Pre-employment Transition Services Assistive Technology Driver s Training Supported Employment
Who Pays for Services: Non-Cost Services Cost Services Diagnostic Services Restoration Services Counseling & Guidance Training Job Placement Services. Driver s Training Pre-employment Transition Services Assistive Technology
Commonly Used Phrases & Acronyms: ACRONYM OVR VRC IPE ID MSD NSD OMHSAS OID FNT TWE OMHSAS ODP MEANING Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Individualized Plan of Employment Intellectual Disabilities Most Significant Disability Non-Significant Disability Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Office of Intellectual Disabilities Financial Needs Test Trial Work Experience Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Office of Developmental Programs
Commonly Used Phrase & Acronyms Cont. ACRONYM OJT C&G CAP D&A SSI SSDI TANF UC HGAC TTW DPW CIL MEANING On the Job Training Vocational Counseling and Guidance Client Assistance Program Drug and Alcohol Social Security Supplemental Income Social Security Disability Income Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Unemployment Compensation Hiram G. Andrews Center Ticket to Work Department of Public Welfare Center for Independent Living
ENTITLEMENT SERVICES: The services provided to youth BEFORE & DURING HIGH SCHOOL to be successful and productive students. School is responsible for identifying students in need of accommodations. School will conduct assessments or evaluations to determine the needs. The school schedules IEP meetings. The student, parents or guardians, and other significant supports should be included in the IEP.
ELIGIBILITY SERVICES: The services a youth or a student will need to ask for and meet criteria in order to become eligible. The student is responsible for seeking out reasonable accommodations and making requests for services. The student is responsible for obtaining assessments or evaluations. There are no longer any IEP or Transition Planning meetings. Will not involve parents or guardians unless there is a POA/guardianship established.
Who is Eligible for OVR Services: Individual must have a disability or self identify. Their disability is a barrier to employment. They need and will benefit from vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter in or retain competitive employment.
Customer & Counselor Responsibilities:
Snap Shot of the OVR Process: Stage 1: Referral Stage 2: Application Stage 5: Competitive Employment & Successful Closure Stage 3: Eligibility Stage 4: Individualized Plan of Employment
OVR Referral Process: Referrals to OVR can be made by the following: Individuals w/ disabilities (self-refer) Agencies, Schools, Clergy, Hospitals, Families members or anyone assisting a potential customer Students under the age of 18, require parent/guardian permission.
What to expect once the referral is received: Initial contact by OVR will include a written letter within the first 15 days of receiving the referral. The letter will include the name and contact information of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. An initial meeting will be scheduled with a Counselor. Information will be gathered from their medical, school, and any other provider, but only if the customer provides written consent. Potential Customer may be requested to undergo diagnostic services to determine eligibility.
OVR Process: Eligibility Stage Eligibility Requirements are based on Federal Regulations 34 CFR 361.42(a) An individual is typically eligible for services if: He or She has the presence of a disability that presents as a significant barrier to employment. Services are required for the potential customer to enter, engage in or retain viable employment.
OVR Process: Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) What to expect after eligibility has been determined: The customer and the counselor will work together to create an IPE. The IPE is an Individualized Plan of Employment. The IPE is the road map to guide your career journey.
Individualized Plan for Employment Cont. The plan of action includes: A specific career goal tailored to the customer s interest and abilities. The services/interventions needed to assist the customer as they get started in or to maintain a career. The customer and the counselors responsibilities in this collaborative relationship are discussed and agreed upon.
OVR Process: Case Closure What to expect: Successful Closure will occur if a customer has obtained employment and is working at or above minimum wage for at least 20 hours a week in an integrated community setting. A customer will have been employed competitively for 90 days. Closure will be discussed and agreed to by the VRC and the customer. Case can also be closed due to lack of contact or misconduct.
OVR Timeline: Early Reach Application Submission Initial Interview Eligibility Individualized Plan of Employment Successful Closure/ Competitive Employment Pre-Eligibility Services for ages 14-21 years of age: Education Outreach Consults Occurs 2-4 weeks after the referral is completed. School Students are referred the last 16-18 months prior to graduation. Occurs at least 30 days after the case is assigned: Occurs 60 days after the Initial Interview Occurs 90 days after Eligibility is determined OVR Services provided based upon One Career goal. Occurs after the customer has been employed for 90 days.
OVR s Rehabilitation Team: Early Reach Coordinator ( Pre/Prior to Eligibility) VR Supervisor (Referral and Application Stage) VR Counselor (App, Eligibility, IPE, Placement & Closure) VRC Clerical Support (Throughout the Entire Process) Business Services Representative (Placement)
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS Make eligibility determinations for services Work with individuals to develop, approve or amend an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Work with the customer to determine cost participation Request/allocate payment or funds for training, vocational services or assistive devices
BUSINESS SERVICES: Specialize in connecting businesses seeking to hire a diverse workforce with qualified job-seekers with disabilities Provide employers with pre-screened and qualified applicants from existing OVR customer lists Employee retention strategies for customers and employers Work with vocational counselors and their customers
OUTREACH EDUCATION CONSULTATION
Bridging the Gaps for Youth: Essential Pieces for Transition:
Connecting the Pieces: OVR and Transition
Overview: Early Reach Initiative What is the Early Reach Initiative? Who is eligible for ERI Services? Community Collaboration & Service Provision Expected Viable Outcomes for Transition
THE EARLY REACH INITIATIVE An Outreach Initiative with the goal of identifying eligible youth with disabilities so they may learn more about OVR services and can better prepare to transition from school to adult life.
Who is eligible for services? Early Reach will be provided to youth as early as age 14, who have a disability & reside within the four counties of Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and Chester.
Community Collaboration
Soft Skills for Workplace Success:
Viable Outcomes for the Early Reach Initiative & Transition C o h e s iveness & C o llaboration I n crease of Customer Inv e stment I n crease refe rrals for service S u cce s s f u l Transition to the Wo rk Force Empowerment & Advoca cy of C ustomers
Basics to remember about OVR: OVR Process is collaborative. The customer is the captain! Mission to Achieve Competitive Employment for Ind. w/disabilities Statewide OVR has 21 District Offices Services & Goals are specific to the individual needs of the customer. Anyone can make a referral on behalf of a potential customer. Diagnostic Services are available to determine eligibility
Questions or Concerns
A Few Resources to Get Started:
N o r r i s t o w n D i s t r i c t C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n : Main Office & Address: 1875 New Hope Street Norristown, PA 19401 Phone: 484-250-4340 Web: www.dli.pa.gov PA Keyword: OVR