Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Conference on Exceptional Children Post Conference Institute November 1-3, 2010 Alma Price Taylor Program Specialist – Transition Services

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program Independent Living Services Disability Determination Services Assistive Technology Program Client Assistance Program

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Programs began in the 1920’s To assist disabled veterans to return to work The agency serves all disability groups with the exception of individuals served by the Division of Services for the Blind

Vocational Rehabilitation Services State agency that assists individuals with disabilities to secure employment, regain employment or retain employment that is consistent with their strengths, abilities, and informed choice!

VR Agency There are 31 VR Unit Offices statewide covering all 100 counties Two Rehabilitation Facilities 1. WorkSource West 2. WorkSource East 16 Independent Living Offices 11 NC Assistive Technology Regional Centers

VRS Western Region Patricia Bland: Regional Director Kent Millsap: Assistant Regional Director VR Office Unit Manager Phone Albemarle Mary Walls Asheville Kathryn McIntyre Boone (IL) Mike Birkmire Charlotte Georgia Gulledge Forest City David Herndon Gastonia Eric Davis Hickory Henry Steele Salisbury David Matheny Sylva Robbie Benton WorkSource West Connie Barnett

VRS Central Region Lenore Guidoni: Regional Director : Assistant Regional Director VR Office Unit Manager Phone Burlington John Marens Chapel Hill John Scotten Durham Jessie Pickett-Williams Dunn Scott Daniel Fayetteville Ellen Morales Greensboro Veta Cooper-Henderson Henderson Gordon Agingu Lexington Karen Caviness Lumberton Sandra Britt Pinehurst Beth Beachum Raleigh (IL) Kenny Gibbs Winston Salem Toni King

VRS Eastern Region Charles Bodiford: Regional Director Jim Pleasants: Assistant Regional Director VR Office Unit Manager Phone Elizabeth City Karen White Goldsboro Jeff Herring Greenville Billy Ross Jacksonville Shannon Vitak New Bern (IL) Kathy Crow Rocky Mount (IL) Tammy Murphy Washington Chloe Hudson Whiteville Jai Robinson Wilmington Becky Setliff Wilson Elizabeth Brown WorkSource East Tara Myers

Federal Legislation: VR & Education Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have continued to emphasize the coordination of services to youth with disabilities in transition from school to post school activities.

Interagency Collaboration A mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve common goals.

DVRS Transition Program “School to Life” North Carolina began Cooperative Programs with Public Schools in the early 1960’s A written Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) exist between: DVRS and DPI-Exceptional Children 91 of the 114 school systems The NC School for the Deaf (West) and Eastern NCSD

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) The written agreement outlines the… Shared funding and administrative support Local Education Agency pays 21.3% of Administrative Cost of the program & Vocational Rehabilitation pays 78.7% in federal funds Dedicated positions VR pays all the case service costs for serving eligible students through cooperative programs

MOA allows the… Administrators of the School System (LEA) and VR to outline partnership for their community VR staffing needs for school system Collaboration between VR and school staff Referral of students to VR Sharing of information Joint participation in student’s Individualized Education Planning (IEP) Coordination of the student’s Transition Plan into the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Work closely with local transition team including specific needs in each local agreement

Student: Transition Plans Post School Outcomes School : Individualized Education Program (IEP) Vocational Rehabilitation: Individualized Rehabilitation Plan (IPE)

Teamwork! Transition Planning Student Family Special educator Rehabilitation counselor Guidance counselor Vocational evaluator Therapist Adult agencies

VR Focus in Transition “School to Life” Intensified efforts to appropriately serve more clients with significant and most significant disabilities Focus on collaboration with DPI to meet transition needs of students including those individuals in the Occupational Course of Study Enhance efforts to work with students as earlier as possible prior to exiting school.

VR Focus in Transition “School to Life” Students at risk of dropout - Work with these students as early as possible (age 16). If there is an immediate need work with students earlier. Increase Outreach to youth out of school Home schooled Juvenile system Community agencies that work with youth in transition Outreach to individuals that do not have an IEP

Let’s get Started with VR Eligibility An individual with a disability (a physical or mental impairment, learning disability) which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; Can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome; and Requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure or regain employment.

The Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) A plan of services that is developed with the individual following eligibility determination and the comprehensive assessment of the individual’s rehabilitation needs Services are planned that will assist the individual to attain and maintain employment successfully All services are planned with the informed choice of the individual.

Rehabilitation Process Referral and Application Collect Information and Review Eligibility Determination Development of Vocational Goal Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Services Employment

Financial Statement The individual must meet the criteria for the financial needs test- to receive certain services at the expense of the Division Services are dependent on individual need to meet the rehabilitation objectives to return to work SSI or SSDI recipients automatically meet program eligibility and financial need criteria

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Assessment & Diagnosis Mental or Physical Restoration Training Job Related Services Transportation Placement Assistive Technology Job/Home Modifications Information & Referral

Individuals Served by VRS School Caseload NC FFY Youth age: years old The agency served 17,724 individuals with disabilities Successful Employment Outcome was achieved by 1,388 for the agency

Major Disability Type Statewide School Caseload Vision 24 Deaf/Deaf-Blind/Hard of Hearing 62 Cerebral Palsy 235 Orthopedic/Amputation 384 Mental Illness 2,235 Autism 1,058 Intellectual Disability Mild 5,355 Moderate 1,239 Severe 29 TBI 177 Other Physical 452

Independent Living Program Resource agency for individuals and support other agency Youth transitioning from school to community Home to independent living in community College or program housing Youth transitioning from a facility to community Youth returning to live at home

Independent Living Services: Evaluation and Counseling Housing Information Vehicle modifications Peer counseling and advocacy Rehabilitation Engineering Prosthetics and Orthotics Personal Assistance Services Recreational therapy Assistance with leisure activities

Independent Living Offices Office Unit Manager Phone Albermarle Anthony Cunningham Asheville Kathy Hembree Boone (VR) Mike Birkmire Charlotte Donna Lovill Durham Ron Graham Elizabeth City Valerie Knox Fayetteville Carolyn Temoney Greensboro Mark Steele Greenville Becky Tyndall

Independent Living Offices Office Unit Manager Phone Hickory Lynn Furr New Bern (VR) Kathy Crow Raleigh (VR) Kenny Gibbs Rocky Mount (VR) Tammy Murphy Sylva John Dills Wilmington Donny Bracey Winston Salem Mark Steele

Contact Information Alma Taylor Program Specialist – Transition