Introduction to the Early Reach Initiative

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1 Introduction to the Early Reach Initiative Stacy Shirk, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator Harrisburg Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

2 Overview OVR Mission OVR Overview What is the Early Reach Initiative? Community Collaboration Viable Outcome for Transition Wrap Up/Questions

3 Early Reach reaching across the state! Erie DuBois Wilkes-Barre Williamsport New Castle Johnstown Allentown Reading Pittsburgh Altoona Harrisburg Norristown Washington York Philadelphia

4 What is OVR s Mission? To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities secure and maintain employment and independence

5 OVR BVRS Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services BBVS Bureau of Blindness And Visual Services

6 Some Disabilities Include: Visual Impairment Muscular Dystrophy Autism Dyslexia Epilepsy Multiple Sclerosis Downs Syndrome

7 Who Should be Referred? Any person, starting age 14 and up, with a documented disability who may need vocational guidance and assistance in preparing for, obtaining, or maintaining competitive employment* should be considered for referral to OVR *a job in a community integrated setting, earning at least minimum wage and 20+ hours

vocational guidance and assistance in preparing for, obtaining, or maintaining

8 Referrals Referrals can be made by: -Agencies -Schools -Primary Care Physician -Families -Individuals ANYONE!

9 OVR Process

10 How OVR can help Diagnostic Services Vocational Evaluation Counseling Services Restoration Services Training Services Placement Services

11 A different look 9,428 Individuals in competitive employment $56,823,894 Est. Federal and State taxes paid $4988 Average per person cost 2 years Average time per person

12 Early Reach Initiative Early Reach Initiative kicked off October 2013 Focus on youth ages 14 and up to provide information, advocacy, and education to prepare for transition to adult life and employment

up to provide information, advocacy, and education

13 Early Reach Initiative Early Reach Group Services Early Reach Individual Services Eligibility Ready for Employment Employed Closed Successfully Employed Service Provision Click to add footer text >

for Employment Employed Closed Successfully

14 Early Reach Coordinator Group Outreach Services Presentations and consultations to school personnel, youth, families and agencies to outline the services offered by OVR.

15 Early Reach Topics

16 Early Reach Topics How OVR can help you prepare for employment

17 Early Reach Coordinator Individual Outreach Services Assist appropriate youth, ages 14 and up, in making application to OVR and support their involvement in Transition Services so that can attain vocational goals.

application to OVR and support their involvement in

18 Early Reach Initiative Goal: Early Reach Coordinator in each of the 15 BVRS District Office Phase 1 July 2013: Begin with five district offices District Office Dubois Harrisburg Norristown Philadelphia Philadelphia Wilkes Barre Early Reach Coordinator Vacant Stacy Shirk Stephanie Shuler Jill Grossberg Vacant Mary Jane Saras Click to add footer text >

Harrisburg Norristown Philadelphia Philadelphia Wilkes Barre Early Reach Coordinator

19 Early Reach Initiative Goal: Early Reach Coordinator in each of the 15 BVRS District Office Phase 2 January 2014: Add six district offices District Office Allentown Altoona Erie Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Washington York Early Reach Coordinator LaRonda Moorefield Holly Stapleton Hillary Hubbell Sarah Vogel Melissa Demchak Amanda Smith Erin Lohr >

Altoona Erie Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Washington York Early Reach Coordinator LaRonda

20 Early Reach Initiative Phase 3 Began in July 2014 Adding the Final Four BVRS district offices: * Johnstown * New Castle * Reading * Williamsport District Office Johnstown New Castle Reading Williamsport Early Reach Coordinator Joni Henry John Cliff Hultquist Andrea Merrick Deanna Trick Click to add footer text >

Office Johnstown New Castle Reading Williamsport Early Reach Coordinator Joni

21 Community Collaboration

22 Early Reach Initiative Mary Jane Saras in action Click to add footer text >

23 Early Reach Initiative Click to add footer text >

24 Early Reach Initiative Stacy Shirk in action Click to add footer text >

25 Transition

26 Early Reach Initiative The criticism of OVR from many parents and agencies has been Where s OVR during the transition years and the transition process??!! Click to add footer text >

27 Early Reach Initiative Early Reach Coordinators will answer this question with Click to add footer text >

28 We re right here! L to R Back: Sarah Vogel, Erin Lohr, Kim Golding(now vacant), Stacy Shirk, Hillary Hubbell, LaRonda Moorefield, Stephanie Shuler L to R Front: Mary Jane Saras, Melissa Demchak (now vacant), Amanda Smith, Jill Grossberg, Holly Stapleton

29 Phase 1 Contacts DuBois VACANT Harrisburg Stacy Shirk stshirk@pa.gov Norristown Stephanie Shuler ext. 161 sshuler@pa.gov Philadelphia Jill Grossberg jgrossberg@pa. gov Wilkes Barre Mary Jane Saras ext. 110 msaras@pa.gov

30 Phase 2 Contacts Allentown Altoona Erie LaRonda Moorefield Holly Stapleton lmoorefiel@pa.gov hostapleto@pa.gov Hillary Hubbell hhubbell@pa.gov Pittsburgh Sarah Vogel svogel@pa.gov Washington Amanda Smith ext. 238 York Erin Lohr ext. 241 amandsmith@pa.gov elohr@pa.gov

31 Phase 3 Contacts Johnstown Joni Henry ext New Castle John (Cliff) Hultquist Reading Andrea Merrick ext. 117 jonihenry@pa.gov Jhultquist@pa.gov amerrick@pa.gov Williamsport Deanna Trick detrick@pa.gov

32 Questions?

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place Erie, PA 16503 814.871.4551 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place Erie, PA 6503 84.87.455 800.54.072 www.dli.state.pa.us Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place Erie, PA 6503 84.87.455 800.54.072 www.dli.state.pa.us