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Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. OVR and the Early Reach Initiative. Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator. What Do You Know About OVR ?. Today’s Topics. OVR’s Mission OVR Process Service Provision Early Reach Initiative.

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Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

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  1. Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office of Vocational Rehabilitation OVR and the Early Reach Initiative Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator

  2. What Do You Know About OVR?

  3. Today’s Topics • OVR’s Mission • OVR Process • Service Provision • Early Reach Initiative

  4. OVR’s Mission To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities secure and maintain employment and independence

  5. What Disabilities Might Be Eligible? • Autism • ADHD • Anxiety • Cerebral Palsy • Depression • Diabetes • Dyslexia • Epilepsy • Hearing Impairments • Intellectual Disability • Learning Disability • Multiple Sclerosis • OCD • Physical Disabilities • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Speech Impairment • Skeletal and Joint Disease • Substance Use Disorders • Traumatic Brain Injury • Visual Impairments

  6. OVR Process

  7. Referral

  8. Application

  9. Assessment & Review

  10. Eligibility Counselor should ask: • Does this individual have an impairment, and does it constitute a substantial impediment to employment? • Does this individual require vocational rehabilitation services to maintain employment or become employed? • Is the individual able to benefit from OVR services to achieve employment?

  11. Eligibility The individual must have physical, mental, or sensory impairments that seriously limit three or more of the individual’s functional capacities: • Mobility • Self-Care • Work Tolerance • Interpersonal Skills • Work Skills • Communication • Self Direction

  12. Set Job Goal

  13. Develop plan

  14. Service Provision • Diagnostic Services • Vocational Evaluation • Counseling & Guidance • Training • Restoration Services • Placement Assistance • Assistive Technology

  15. Early Reach Initiative • Outreach • Education • Consultation

  16. Early Reach? How early? Am I eligible?

  17. Early Reach Initiative • Assist youth with a disability in preparing for their transition into the world of work and independence • Reach individuals at age 14 • Provide outreach through group presentations • Prepare youth for their work with a vocational rehabilitation counselor

  18. Students/Classrooms • Teachers • Supports Coordinators • Children and Youth Services Employees • Support Groups • Trauma Centers • Pediatricians • IU Meetings • Career/Health Fairs • Medical Specialists • Disability Organizations • County MH/ID • Blended Case Managers • Students with IEPs or 504s Who Could Benefit From Group Outreach?

  19. Youth with a disability who: • Would like to learn more about OVR services • Are14and up and may not be ready to work with an OVR counselor • Youth who have dropped out • Youth without natural supports • Individuals in the foster system • Homeless youth • Youth involved in the criminal justice system • Youth with mental health concerns • Youth without services or without appropriate services Who Could Benefit from Individual Outreach?

  20. Getting Ready for Work Soft Skills & Hard Skills What is Transition? Advocacy Skills & Self Determination OVR Basics Exploring Colleges Interviewing Skills Presentation Topics Career Exploration >

  21. Cohesiveness & collaboration • Community memberswill have an accurateunderstanding of OVR Services • Increase of appropriate referrals for service • Customers will come to OVR preparedfor services • Increase of customerinvestment • Empowerment& Self-Advocacy of customers Goals and Outcomes >

  22. Providing outreach to students, families & community organizations Reaching out PURPOSEFULLY & CREATIVELY Early Reach Initiative

  23. Whaaaaaat?

  24. Early Reach Coordinators Early Reach Coordinators >

  25. THANK YOU! Referrals can be made in person or by calling the Washington Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 201 W. Wheeling Street Washington, PA 15301 724-223-4430Amanda Smith, MSW, LSW Early Reach Coordinator 724-223-4430, ext. 238 amandsmith@pa.gov

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