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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 Disabil ity:
• 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
Diagnostic Services
Medical & Vocational Evaluation
Counseling & Guidance Services
Restoration Services
Training Services
Job Placement Services
On the Job Training
Pre-employment Transition Services
Assistive Technology
Driver’s TrainingSupported Employment
Who Pays for Services:
Non-Cost Services
Diagnostic Services
Counseling & Guidance
Job Placement Services.
Pre-employment Transition Services
Cost Services
Restoration Services
Training
Driver’s Training
Assistive Technology
Commonly Used Phrases & Acronyms:
ACRONYM MEANING
OVR Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
VRC Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
IPE Individualized Plan of Employment
ID Intellectual Disabilities
MSD Most Significant Disability
NSD Non-Significant Disability
OMHSAS Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
OID Office of Intellectual Disabilities
FNT Financial Needs Test
TWE Trial Work Experience
OMHSAS Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
ODP Office of Developmental Programs
Commonly Used Phrase & Acronyms Cont.
ACRONYM MEANING
OJT On the Job Training
C&G Vocational Counseling and Guidance
CAP Client Assistance Program
D&A Drug and Alcohol
SSI Social Security Supplemental Income
SSDI Social Security Disability Income
TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
UC Unemployment Compensation
HGAC Hiram G. Andrews Center
TTW Ticket to Work
DPW Department of Public Welfare
CIL Center for Independent Living
ENTITLEMENT SERVICES:
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.
The services provided to youth BEFORE & DURING HIGH SCHOOL to
be successful and productive students.
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.
Snap Shot of the OVR Process:
Stage 1: Referral Stage 2: Application
Stage 3:
Eligibility
Stage 4: Individualized Plan of Employment
Stage 5:
Competitive Employment &
Successful Closure
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:
Occurs after the customer has been employed for 90 days.
Successful Closure/
Competitive Employment
Occurs 90 days after Eligibility is determined
OVR Services provided
based upon One Career
goal.
Individualized Plan of
Employment
Occurs 60 days after the
Initial Interview
Eligibility
Occurs at least 30 days after the case is assigned:
Initial Interview
Occurs 2-4 weeks after the referral is completed.
School Students are referred the last 16-18 months prior to graduation.
Application Submission
Pre-Eligibility Services for ages 14-21 years of age:
• Education
• Outreach
• Consults
Early Reach
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)
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
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS
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
BUSINESS SERVICES:
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
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.
THE EARLY REACH INITIATIVE
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.
Viable Outcomes for the Ear ly Reach In i t ia t ive & Trans i t ion
C ohe s iv e ne s s & C o l la b ora t ion
I ncre a s e o f C ustome r I nv e stme nt
I ncre a s e re fe r ra l s for s e r v ice
S ucce s s f u l Tra ns i t ion to the Work Force
Emp ow e rme nt & A d voca cy of C ustome rs
Basics to remember about OVR:
Mission to Achieve Competitive
Employment for Ind. w/disabilities
Statewide OVR has 21 District Offices
Diagnostic Services are available to determine eligibilityAnyone can make a
referral on behalf of a potential customer.
Services & Goals are specific to the
individual needs of the customer.
OVR Process is collaborative.
The customer is the captain!