Plan for the Future! Vocational Rehabilitation and Higher Education

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Plan for the Future! Employment and Education Introducing. Robyn Chidester UPC Parent Consultant Phone: 801.272.1051 or 1.800.468.1160 Email: robync@utahparentcenter.

1 Plan for the Future! Employment and Education Introducing. Robyn Chidester UPC Parent Consultant Phone: or Website: West 200 South Suite 1101 Salt Lake City Utah SET A GOAL A Look At Employment Identify one action step something you will do. GOAL 1: Every youth has some skill that, if nurtured, will provide them the opportunity to make money for the rest of their life. Larry Kortering People with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than people without disabilities Work experience in school, postsecondary education, and families involved with their youth help youth be successful Why Is Work Important? What if the Youth has a Significant Disability? Career Planning 7 7 Work provides: A feeling of worth from contributing to society Meaningful days A place to learn social skills and responsibility A way to combat isolation, loneliness, and depression A role in the adult world Others? 8 8 Create a Circle of Support - A meeting which includes the individual with a disability, friends, parents, family and others to form a plan for postschool options and supports. Use Assistive Technology - Use a computer, IPAD, speech board or pictures to help the individual communicate. 9 9 Before youth begin looking for a job, ask: What do you want to do for employment? What do you need to know to do that job? What training or school classes can help you learn the skills you need? Do you like to work inside or outside? Do you have good times of the day and bad? 1

GOAL 1: Every youth has some skill that, if nurtured, will provide them the opportunity to make money for the rest of their life. Larry Kortering 5 5 6 6 People with disabilities are 2.

2 How Families Can Help Supports for Employment Agencies that can help Positive family involvement with youth leads to employment and academic success. How to help: Identify strengths of youth Practice job interviews and self-disclosure Catch early signs of problems at work Work on soft skills at home Use personal networks Maintain High Expectations of Youth Education and Training Job Coaching Job Carving On-the-job training Peer Supports Supported employment Division of Rehabilitation Services (Vocational Rehabilitation, VR) Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) Vocational Rehabilitation Services What is Vocational Rehabilitation? Who Can Get VR Services The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) helps people with disabilities prepare for work and find a job so they can live independently. Vocational Rehabilitation is not a one-size-fits-all menu of services instead it s an individualized and customized set of rehabilitative activities. Activities designed to help individuals learn more about their disability, how to overcome barriers to getting and keeping a job, and ways to be more self-reliant VR Counselors review medical records and initial interview information to make a determination of eligibility based on the following four criteria: 1. Does a significant physical or mental impairment exist? 2. Does this impairment result in a substantial impediment to employment? 3. Does the individual require VR services? 4. Will the individual benefit in terms of employment outcome? What Students May Be Eligible? How To Apply For VR Services How To Apply For VR Services Students with an IEP Students with a Section 504 plan Students with a special health care plans Students diagnosed or undiagnosed with learning disabilities, mental health or substance abuse issues Students can be referred to VR through a Transition Team Member or they can contact VR directly. 2. The VR Counselor will coordinate a group or individual Welcome Session with the student and provide the application for services. The student can also view the Welcome Video at An appointment will be scheduled with the student (and parent(s) if under 18) and the Transition Team at the school or the VR Office. 4. The Transition Team works together with the VR Counselor to gather information about the student s possible disability and employment barriers. 2

of Youth Education and Training Job Coaching Job Carving On-the-job training Peer Supports Supported employment 11 11 12 12 Division of Rehabilitation Services (Vocational Rehabilitation, VR)

3 How Long Does It Take To Determine Eligibility? What Happens After the Eligibility Determination? VR and Transition A student receiving Social Security Benefits is presumed eligible for VR Services. Eligibility is not based on parents A determination of eligibility can take up to 60 days, depending on the availability of medical documentation. The student begins meeting with his/her VR Counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) The eligible student will work with their Transition Team to determine an appropriate Transition Plan which includes the VR Counselor. Individuals can apply for VR 21 Services starting at age The role and responsibility of the VR Counselor in transition is to work as a member of a transition team for each student who is referred or determined eligible to ensure a seamless transition from the Special Education System into the VR system Key Players for Transition Planning Student Parents Special Education Teacher(s) Regular Education Teacher(s) Local Education Agency (LEA) Representative Related Service Providers Other Adult Service Providers including Vocational Rehabilitation See Page 20 in the Transition Handbook The Role of the VR Counselor while the Student is Enrolled in School Attend IEP Meetings Collaborate with the Transition IEP Team Conduct Individual Meeting with the Student Provide Vocational Counseling and Guidance Set-up Career Exploration Assessments Act as a liaison between family and school Identify and share resources Services are Individualized Services are individualized and depend on the individual s vocational goal and restoration needs. All services provided must be included in the IPE (Individualized Plan for Employment) and approved in advance. Informed Choice What Type of Services are Available? Vocational Counseling and Guidance Making one s own decisions after being provided the necessary information. Counseling and Guidance Career Exploration Services Restoration Services Assistive Technology Training and Education Job Placement Follow-up Services Self-Employment A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work individually with the client to provide support and assistance as he/she works toward reaching the job goal. 3

The student begins meeting with his/her VR Counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

4 Career Exploration Services Individuals with Significant Disabilities This Career Exploration Report can be shared with the Transition Team VR has an in-house Career Exploration Unit that provides assessments measuring intelligence, interest, aptitude, personality, work skills, transferable skills, and functional limitations; in addition to providing career recommendations and labor market information Supported Job Based Training (SJBT) and Job Placement Services Job Coach is assigned to stay with the individual on the job to: learn job tasks gain appropriate work behaviors understand the dynamics of the work environment eventually become successfully employed on own Supported Employment VR and DSPD Early dispute resolution should always be tried FIRST! Contact a Parent Consultant at the Utah Parent Center for individualized assistance. (801) (800) Contact Information - USOR Early dispute resolution should always be tried FIRST! Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor Direct VR Supervisor District VR Director Client Assistance Program Client Assistance Program (CAP) with the Disability Law Center of Utah CAP Can: Give you information about VR Services Teach you about your rights Help you with the appeal process Make sure your voice is heard and respected Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Phone: Toll Free: Website: Connect with USOR Online Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) Types of Job Supports Contact Information Supported Employment Services are designed to support clients with significant disabilities to obtain, maintain or advance in competitive employment in an integrated work setting. Employment can be part-time or full time. A Community Resource Broker will be assigned Job Development Job Placement Intensive On-The-Job Training Employment Supports Employer Assistance Consultation for Employees while employed and follow-up Division of Services for People with Disabilities Phone Intake: Toll Free: State Office: Website: Contact Tricia Jones-Parkin, Program Administrator (801)

addition to providing career recommendations and labor market information.

The mission of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is to provide qualified persons with disabilities equal access to University programs, services, and activities.

5 The mission of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is to provide qualified persons with disabilities equal access to University programs, services, and activities. Direct assistance to encourage and enhance student s independence Provide academic, personal, and career counseling, Provide supportive services, including academic assistance and accommodations, Review architectural and program accessibility. Brigham Young University, University Accessibility Center Dixie State College, Disability Resource Center Salt Lake Community College, Disability Resource Center Snow College, ADA Coordinator Southern Utah University, Disability Support Services /disability/ University of Utah, Center for Disability Services Utah State University, Disability Resource Center Utah Valley University, Accessibility Services, Weber State University, Services for Students with Disabilities Westminster College, Disability Services edu/disabilityservices Utah Colleges for Applied Technology ACTIONS YOU WILL TAKE For help with a student with disabilities at a Utah College for Applied Technology ask for Student Services, ADA Specialist Website: Identify one or more actions that you will take because of what you have learned today. ACTION 1: ACTION 2: ACTION 3: So many of our Dreams at first seem Impossible, then they seem Improbable, and then when we Summon the Will, they soon become Inevitable. Christopher Reeve Contact us Thank you so we can help you apply what you ve learned to your situation for attending. Please hand in your workshop evaluation. Additional resources on this topic available at: transitiontoadult/ 5

Review architectural and program accessibility. Brigham Young University, University Accessibility Center http://uac.byu.edu Dixie State College, Disability Resource Center www.

MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION COMMISSION

What Is MRC? MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION COMMISSION VOCATIONAL AND TRANSITION SERVICES What is MRC? MRC is a state agency that provides services to persons with disabilities. Has three divisions: Community