Introduction to the Early Reach Initiative Stacy Shirk, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator Harrisburg Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Overview OVR Mission OVR Overview What is the Early Reach Initiative? Community Collaboration Viable Outcome for Transition Wrap Up/Questions
Early Reach reaching across the state! Erie DuBois Wilkes-Barre Williamsport New Castle Johnstown Allentown Reading Pittsburgh Altoona Harrisburg Norristown Washington York Philadelphia
What is OVR s Mission? To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities secure and maintain employment and independence
OVR BVRS Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services BBVS Bureau of Blindness And Visual Services
Some Disabilities Include: Visual Impairment Muscular Dystrophy Autism Dyslexia Epilepsy Multiple Sclerosis Downs Syndrome
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
Referrals Referrals can be made by: -Agencies -Schools -Primary Care Physician -Families -Individuals ANYONE!
OVR Process
How OVR can help Diagnostic Services Vocational Evaluation Counseling Services Restoration Services Training Services Placement Services
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
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
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 >
Early Reach Coordinator Group Outreach Services Presentations and consultations to school personnel, youth, families and agencies to outline the services offered by OVR.
Early Reach Topics
Early Reach Topics How OVR can help you prepare for employment
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.
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 >
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 >
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 >
Community Collaboration
Early Reach Initiative Mary Jane Saras in action Click to add footer text >
Early Reach Initiative Click to add footer text >
Early Reach Initiative Stacy Shirk in action Click to add footer text >
Transition
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 >
Early Reach Initiative Early Reach Coordinators will answer this question with Click to add footer text >
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
Phase 1 Contacts DuBois VACANT Harrisburg Stacy Shirk 717-346-2783 stshirk@pa.gov Norristown Stephanie Shuler 484-250-4340 ext. 161 sshuler@pa.gov Philadelphia Jill Grossberg 215-560-4193 jgrossberg@pa. gov Wilkes Barre Mary Jane Saras 570-826-2011 ext. 110 msaras@pa.gov
Phase 2 Contacts Allentown Altoona Erie LaRonda Moorefield Holly Stapleton 610-821-6441 lmoorefiel@pa.gov 814-946-6994 hostapleto@pa.gov Hillary Hubbell 814-651-9000 hhubbell@pa.gov Pittsburgh Sarah Vogel 412-392-5973 svogel@pa.gov Washington Amanda Smith 724-223-4430 ext. 238 York Erin Lohr 717-771-4407 ext. 241 amandsmith@pa.gov elohr@pa.gov
Phase 3 Contacts Johnstown Joni Henry 814-255-6771 ext. 3046 New Castle John (Cliff) Hultquist Reading Andrea Merrick 610-621-5800 ext. 117 jonihenry@pa.gov 724-656-3217 Jhultquist@pa.gov amerrick@pa.gov Williamsport Deanna Trick detrick@pa.gov
Questions?