An Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation

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An Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation

• Presented by
• Kentucky Vocational Rehabilitation

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Purpose of the VR Program

• To empower individuals with disabilities to
  maximize employment, achieve economic
  self-sufficiency and independence, and to
  contribute back to society.

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VR Counselor Responsibilities

• Determine eligibility
• Decide the nature and scope of services
• Coordinate and authorize for services
• Allocate expenditures
• Establish the suitability of closure

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Responsibilities of the Consumer

• Keep all scheduled appointments
• Stay involved with the entire process from
  eligibility to closure
• Ask questions and make your wishes known
• Return all forms sent home for signature
• Keep your counselor informed of all changes
• Make your counselor aware once you become
  employed.

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VR Process

• Referral Application
• Referral When an individual or service provider
  contacts VR with a desire to apply for services.
• Application The initial meeting between a
  counselor and individual. VR will conduct an
  interview and complete application forms.

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VR is an eligibility program, NOT an entitlement
program. Medical and psychological records will
be reviewed by the counselor before eligibility
can be determined.
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Service Delivery

• VR services begin with an individualized
  assessment and career exploration
• Collect existing information
• Acquire new information
• Consider the results
• Initiate joint planning
• See a qualified counselor
• Specify rehabilitation needs
• Primary service is vocational guidance and
  counseling.

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• Eligibility
• VR Counselors must answer these questions
• Does the applicant have a disability? Meaning a
  physical or mental impairment (identified in the
  Merck Manual or DSM IV)
• Does the limitations result in a substantial
  barrier to employment and require VR services?
• Can the individual benefit from services in
  terms of an employment outcome?

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Remember Medical/psychological information
will be reviewed by a counselor before
eligibility can be determined. We look for more
than a diagnosis, we look at functional
limitations.
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What is an IPE?

• An IPE is an Individualized Plan for Employment
  that results from a combination of rehabilitation
  and vocational services. Its purpose is to.
• Identify the employment outcome
• Select VR services
• Choose service providers
• Establish timelines
• Identify responsibilities
• Other individualized needs

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What are potential services that could benefit
your consumers?

• Vocational guidance and counseling to begin
  exploration
• Vocational evaluation determines strengths,
  abilities, interests.
• Placement OVR Job Placement Specialists can
  assist with job search, interviewing skills,
  resume writing, etc.
• Training if no transferable skills-training may
  be an option.
• Supported Employment assistance of job coach to
  learn job duties.
• Community Rehab Programs transferable skills for
  placement in job for unskilled workers. CRP staff
  will go with the individual to assist in
  application, interview, etc.
• Referral for services in the community
  (Comparable benefits) We are required to use this
  funding before our own.
• Rehab Tech on site modifications at a
  job/equipment, training, etc.
• Driver Evaluation/Training/Modification if
  deemed appropriate

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CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIES

• Collection of information
• Protection of information
• Use of information
• Release of information
• Recipients of information

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Positive Employment Outcome

• Successful Rehabilitation Criteria for Success
• VR services contributed to the outcome
• The right job for the individual
• The right workplace
• Employed for 90 days
• Individual and counselor agreement

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Positive Employment Outcome What everyone wants!
Success for the individual! Success for the
program!
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