1 Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation It’s About Employment! DVR Presentation for Youth & Family Members

2  A formal process of cooperative planning that will assist students with disabilities to move from school to the adult world.  Education, VR, youth, families and other adult agencies should work hand-in-hand to support successful transition!! A Broad Definition of Transition

3 Systems Differences  Education System  All eligible persons with disabilities must be served  Services Mandated  Wait lists not allowed  Broad Eligibility Criteria  Services based on individual needs  Adult System  Disability alone does not mean individuals will be served  Services not mandated  Wait lists are long  Narrow Eligibility Criteria  Services may or may not be individualized  Procedures apply  Systems operate on time lines

4 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation  Vision: Individuals with Disabilities are essential to the Success of Colorado’s Workforce

5 Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation  Mission: DVR assists individuals whose disabilities result in barriers to employment to succeed at work and to live independently It’s About Employment!!!

6 DVR Eligibility  Social Security = eligible  The individual has a physical or mental impairment(s); and  The impairment results in at least one substantial impediment to employment which is consistent with his or her abilities and capabilities; and  The individual can benefit in terms of attaining an employment outcome from the provision of services; and  The individual requires services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment which is consistent with strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, concerns, capabilities and informed choice

7 DVR Process  Referral  Application/Intake Interview (within 30 days)

8 DVR Process (con’t)  Eligibility Determination (within 60 days of application)

9 DVR Process (con’t)  Comprehensive Assessment Process

10 DVR Process (con’t)  Individualized Plan for Employment, IPE Developed (within 120 days of eligibility)

11 DVR Process (con’t)  Services Provided  Identified through Comprehensive Assessment  Geared toward chosen Employment Goal  Necessary  Appropriate  Least Possible Cost (financial participation based on financial analysis)

12 Examples of VR Services (Financial Need Not Considered)  Social Security recipients - financial need not considered  Assessment  Vocational Counseling and Guidance  Personal Adjustment Training  Job Placement  Job Coaching/OJT  Reader/Note taker

13 Examples of VR Services (Financial Need Considered)  Formal Vocational Training  College/University  Vocational School  Assistive Technology  Mental Restoration  Physical Restoration  Supportive Services  Transportation  Child Care  Personal Assistance

14 DVR Process (con’t)  Employment Obtained  Job Stability  Case Closure

15 Overview of DVR Process Referral Job Stability Eligibility Application/Intake Provide Services Obtain Employment Comp Assessmt Proc IPE Development Success=Case Closure

16 S chool to W ork A lliance P rogram A Partnership Between DVR, the Colorado Department of Education, and Local School Districts SWAP

17 SWAP  45 Colorado Sites  Over 150 Colorado School Districts  Over youth served from present  Over 4300 youth employed from present  Matching Funds Program (cost shared between DVR and School Districts)

18 SWAP Goals  Build on Existing (mandated) Transition Efforts – the underserved population  Fill the Case Management Gap  Increase Employment Outcomes  Increase Community Outcomes  Create New Patterns of Service

19 SWAP’s New Patterns of Service  Year-Round Program  Community-Based Program  Vocational Rehabilitation Services provided through a Case Management Model  One Year of Follow Up  Expand the Ages of Youth to which Schools can Provide Services

20 SWAP Target Population  Youth between the ages of 16 – 25 and  Who are DVR eligible and  Who have mild to moderate needs in employment and  Are ready to work after short-term service provision (approximately one year)

21 SWAP Target Population (con’t.)  Youth could be  Out-of-School Youth  Drop-outs or at risk of dropping out  Graduated or aged out  Under or Unemployed or  In-School Youth Served Through  Section 504  Special Education  Suspected or known disability not under any other category

22 Non-SWAP Youth  Youth with involved employment needs, or in general difficult to place into a job  Youth with ongoing legal problems that make participation difficult  Youth who need long-term services, or extensive skills training  Youth who need supported employment

23 Typical SWAP Services  Career exploration/development  Job seeking skills training  Case management  Job development/placement  Employment-related instruction & training  Limited job coaching  Follow-up

24 Your turn… What questions do you have about DVR’s process?