What is DARS Transition Program AND Is My Student Eligible? Transition Services Division for Rehabilitation Services

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1 What is DARS Transition Program AND Is My Student Eligible? Transition Services Division for Rehabilitation Services

2 Who is DARS? DARS stands for Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (formerly known as the Texas Rehabilitation Commission) Division for Rehabilitation Services Division for Blind Services Early Childhood Intervention Disability Determination Services

3 What is Vocational Rehabilitation? Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services help people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs. Unlike Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation is an eligibility-based program.

4 Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation, an individual must: Have a physical or mental impairment The impairment must constitute a substantial impediment to employment; The individual must require VR services to prepare for, enter, engage in or retain gainful employment consistent with the individual s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice and The individual must be capable of achieving an employment goal.

5 Disability is not a problem within the person, or a characteristic of a person. It is not something one has but is a state of functioning that exists if there is a gap between that person s capacities and the demands of the context. (M. Wehmeyer J.V.R. 2011)

6 Not an income-based program Vocational Rehabilitation is not an income-based program. No one will be denied services based on their income. However, they may be asked to participate in the cost of services. If your income is calculated to be over the Basic Living Requirement (BLR), you may be asked to participate in the cost of services. Exception: Recipients of SSI or SSDI (for their disability) are not required to participate in the cost of services. If the student is 18 or older and not claimed on their parents income taxes, only the student s financial information will be included.

7 DARS Transition Services The goal is to identify and begin working with students before they graduate so there isn t a delay in services once they leave school. Our services can start in the student s last two years of high school* or at age 16, but we can begin working with them earlier if it s appropriate. The counselor will help determine the most appropriate time to start the process. There are 18 Transition Counselors (TVRCs) in Region V. Only 3 serving the Corpus Christi area. Each school has either a TVRC or a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor liaison assigned. *Some applications may not be taken until the student s senior year, depending on the individual circumstances.

8 What services does DARS provide? DARS can provide almost any service necessary to help an individual with a disability go to work. Services are considered on an individual basis and must be reasonable and necessary for that person. For transition students, services often include: counseling and guidance, vocational or academic training, career exploration, job coaching or supported employment, psychological counseling, or medical services/equipment.

9 The counselor may work with the students to expose them to summer opportunities. Summer job opportunities Work Adjustment Training Area specific summer work programs Summer Activities

10 After Graduation The Counselor will work with the students to ensure they are working toward their vocational goals. Most transition cases are transferred to an adult caseload after graduation.

11 While the student is still in school: The DRS Counselor: meets with students on a regular basis (frequency established by counselor/student/family). is able to meet with students/parents on or off campus, after school or at work, if necessary. will walk you through the application process.

12 Initial Contact Application Eligibility Assessment & Planning Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) Steps in the VR Process

13 As of March 31, 2012* we are serving: 7,919 Transition consumers *60% of state year elapsed

14 Consumer Age 4% <1% <1% 15% Over 22 81%

15 Disabilities Served <1% <1% 11% 1% 4% 5% 7% 7% 65% Cardiac/Respiratory Cognitive Deaf/HOH Mental/Emotional Musculo-Skeletal Neurological Other Substance Abuse TBI & SCI

16 Common Myths About VR We can provide scholarships We have a list of jobs (a la temp agency) We cannot serve Life Skills students The responsibility for success lies solely on the counselor If an individual has too much income, they will not be eligible for services

17 Other Less Common Myths If a students is in Special Education, they are automatically eligible for VR services We are a long-term service provider There is a specific list of disabilities we can serve There is a list of services we can provide We cannot provide services until the student has graduated

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19 Statewide Autism Team Made up of Counselors and Program Specialists, led by our Autism Specialist Intended to increase knowledge and skills in the area of Autism Working to increase the providers and resources available to DRS counselors Reaching out to BCBAs* across the state Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Intervention/Social Skills Training *Board Certified Behavior Analysts

20 Social Security Team Goal: Increase counselor knowledge of SSI/SSDI and Work Incentives Team of Subject Matter Resource people who are being trained on the intricacies of Social Security Maximize consumer benefits through the use of available Work Incentives, for example, PASS, IRWE, Ticket to Work, etc. Build another consumer resource for benefits planning

21 Transition Task Force Looking at best practices for delivering transition services, and how to replicate them, across the state Best use of TVRCs Not enough TVRCs to cover all schools We know we won t be getting additional TVRC positions Incorporating more business relationships into our transition activities Creating more work and embedded training opportunities for student consumers

22 Embedded Training Consumers work alongside employees in a business to learn first-hand how the job is performed CRP is on site providing support/training as needed Consumer earns at least minimum wage during training (not paid by employer) Gives the consumer and the business a chance to try each other out before being hired Can provide valuable career exploration DARS is working to apply this concept across many different industries

23 Local Initiative Pilot Project with Flour Bluff HS, DARS and United Way (funded partners) Local Not-for-profit agencies will serve as internship sites for a group of students for ½ the school day the entire school year. Students will gain valuable independent work experience, we will have a better idea of skills, abilities and interests by the time they graduate / age out. Can be replicated!

24 Contact Information Toni Padilla, MPA Transition Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Corpus Christi Field Office 4410 Dillon Lane, Ste. 44 Corpus Christi, Texas (361)