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.

Customer & Counselor Responsibi l i t ies:

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:

OUTREACH

EDUCATION

CONSULTATION

Bridging the Gaps for Youth:

Essential Pieces for Transition:

Connecting the Pieces: OVR and Transit ion

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.

Community Col laboration

Soft Skills for Workplace Success:

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!

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