1. State of Oregon Department of Human Services
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

2. The Mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist Oregonians with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and independence.

3. How Do I Qualify?
You must have one or more physical, mental, or emotional impairments.
The functional limitations from your disability must result in a substantial barrier to getting hired or keeping a job.
You must be able to benefit from available, substantial Vocational Rehabilitation services (in terms of competitive employment results).
If you are determined eligible for disability benefits through SSI or SSDI, OVRS presumes you are eligible for our program if you intend to go to work. (Supporting medical or psychological documentation must be provided to clarify your current functional limitations and ensure appropriate goal selection and VR services are included in your plan). You are also required to provide written verification of your SSI/SSDI eligibility (Social Security Award Letter).
Note: The Commission for the Blind is the primary provider of VR services for people with legal blindness, or who have rapidly progressive vision deterioration leading to blindness.
Note: The Commission for the Blind is the primary provider of VR services for people with legal blindness, or who have rapidly progressive vision deterioration leading to blindness.

4. Preparing for your Intake Appointment
Complete the Service Questionnaire. Be sure to complete all the information requested, including your medical history, education, training and job experience. Bring these completed forms to your intake appointment.
You must bring proof of identification and proof that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Without these documents you cannot sign an Application for Services.

5. VR Intake and Application Process
Intake Interview with your VR Counselor – Be prepared to answer questions about:
Your disability and how it limits your ability to do past jobs.
Your paid and unpaid work experience(s) and skills for at least the last 10 years.
Your past training and education.
You will be asked to sign permission (authorization) for VR to obtain medical or psychological, education or other records that document your disability.
Sign the formal Application to request VR services.

6. Eligibility Evaluation – 60 Days
VR gathers and reviews documented evidence of disability(ies) from licensed clinical treatment provider(s).
VR may ask you to participate in additional evaluations, or tests, or possibly a community-based work assessment.
VR counselor assesses your transferable skills and impact of your disability(ies) on work for which you would otherwise qualify and your ability to return to former work.
Eligibility decisions are made and you are notified in writing.
NOTE: If VR is unable to document or determine your disability in 60 days, we may ask you if you want to extend the time, or close your file.

7. If I Am Found Eligible, What Services Can I Receive from VR?
Vocational counseling and guidance to assist in selecting a job goal
Evaluations, if necessary, to determine your job skills and interests
Training or education, if needed, to help you find employment
Special equipment or technology that can aid in helping you to hold a job
Assistance with transportation to training or job sites
On-the-job training, job search assistance, or job interview skills to help get and keep your job
Business Employment Specialist on-site, computers and fax machine for job search activities

8. Vocational Goal Selection Process
You will participate in a process to make a rational informed choice of your specific, appropriate job goal.
We build on your unique abilities, interests, concerns, priorities and labor market information to narrow down the goal that will best works for you – and how to get there.
Your Goal
How to Get There
Labor Market Research
Concerns Priorities
Interests Abilities
All Jobs

9. Employment! Follow Plan Sign Plan
Write your Plan Meet with VRC to begin Vocational Planning
Eligibility Assessment Intake and Application Orientation

10. VR Plan Services
Plans are individually designed in partnership with you to resolve problems and reach your goal:
Accommodations to remove or reduce barriers to work.
Counseling and career guidance.
Training/education requirements of the job goal.
Comparable benefits to help pay for services.

11. Writing your VR Plan
Plan is to be written within 180 days from eligibility.
Outline and document each step needed to achieve your work goal.
Identify required services to support each step.
Document and outline costs.
Financial Aid and other resources.
Project the time needed to complete steps and reach your goal.
Write and sign a formal agreement.

12. Following your Plan
Once agreed upon, you are expected to follow through with your plan and complete each step to reach successful employment.
Do not quit your job or make changes to your plan without contacting your counselor – FIRST.
Follow all medical/mental health advice and treatment plan(s).

13. Job Retention Services – 90 Days
Monitor placement for 90 days after your hire date.
Services to ensure continued employment.
Advocacy for disability-related and ADA issues.
Continued counseling and guidance to aid work adjustment.

14. Post Employment Services
Short-Term-Limited intervention to ensure job retention:
Advocacy for disability-related issues.
Services to you or your employer to help you keep your job.
Counseling and guidance (short-term).
NOTE: Long-term and/or high-cost services will require a new application for VR services, new eligibility and new plan.

15. The Oregon Youth transition program

16. Transition In Oregon “Adult” life Education
Individualized Education Programs:
Specially designed instruction
Related services
Program modifications
Classroom accommodations
Supplementary aids and services
Postsecondary education
Vocational education
Integrated employment (including supported employment)
Accessing adult services
Independent living
Community participation
“Adult” life
Education

17. YTP Overview YTP is a Partnership including:
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation
Public schools statewide
Oregon Department of Education
University of Oregon College of Education
Over the last 22 years, YTP has provided direct services and improved outcomes for over 22,000 students with disabilities
YTP is in 55 districts and in 115 schools

18. Youth Transition Program Goals
Prepare high school youth with disabilities for employment or career related post secondary education (service delivery)
Create a new pattern of service within schools and communities (systems change)
Dual goals to serve youth -- Build new types of programs in high schools
and create long term systems change within schools and communities

19. Transition Partnership Goals
IEP
YTP
(IPE)
Employment
Education
Training
Transition
This sets the stage for the following slides that discusses the similarities in the two Laws: IDEA of 1997 and the Rehab Act.

20. YTP Specific Transition Services
Screening and referral to VR
Transition planning & Instruction
Job shadows, and career exploration activities
Provide job coaching
Develop paid employment consistent with the vocational goal (IPE) of the student.
Post school placement
Follow-up support

21. N = 1415 YTP Database, Students Served, 7/1/2009 through 6/30/2011
Multiple barriers at entry to program – many at risk of dropping out of school, this biennium indicates that roughly 27% have secondary disability
N = 1415
YTP Database, Students Served, 7/1/2009 through 6/30/2011

22. YTP Student Outcomes

23. 2009-2011 YTP Student Outcomes N = 1415
A High School Completion Certificate includes Regular Diploma, Extended Diploma, Modified Diploma, and an Alternative Certificate.
Avg. Hourly Wage is the weighted wage means of students who are employed at Exit (401 at $8.96), 6 Months (382 at $9.20), and 12 months (417 at $9.52).
Engagement is the percentage of students who are competitively employed, in training, or in school at a given time point after their exit from the program.
N = 1415
YTP Database, Students Served, 7/1/2009 through 6/30/2011

24. VR Website – Office Locations VR Web Site: http://www. oregon
VR Website – Office Locations VR Web Site: OR You may ask for local office locations by contacting our office at