Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503 814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

1. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

2. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us Vocational Rehabilitation Legislative History up to the Americans with Disabilities Act • 1917 PL 64-347 = Smith-Hughes Act • 1918 PL 65-178 = Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Act • 1920 PL 66-236 = Smith-Fess Act • 1935 PL 74-271 = Social Security Act = Established State/Federal VR Programs • 1936 PL 74-732 = Randolph-Sheppard Act • 1938 PL 75-739 = Wagner-O’Day Act • 1943 PL 78-113 = Bardon-LaFollette Act • 1954 PL 83-565 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments • 1965 PL 89-333 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments • 1967 = Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) • 1968 PL 90-391 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments • 1973 PL 93-112 = Rehabilitation Act of 1973 • 1978 PL 95-606 = Rehab, Comprehensive Services, & Development Disabilities Amendments of 1978 • 1984 PL 98-221 = Rehabilitation Act Amendments • 1986 PL 99-506 = Rehabilitation Act Amendments • 1988 PL 100-407 = The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act • 1990 PL 101-336 = Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

3. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503 814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us • MissionTo assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence. • Vision Through our actions, we shall earn and maintain the highest degree of respect from our customers and be viewed by them as a world-class organization.

4. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us = ODHH 5 Erie BVRS District Office = BVRS = BBVS = Central Office = HGAC 1 2 3 4 5 1 Erie BBVS District Office 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 5 1 1 2 5 3 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2

5. OVR: Agency Organization 3 • Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) = • Executive Director = Mr. Stephen Suroviec • Bureau of Central Operations (Central Office) = • Training, Administration & Fiscal, Special Programs • Bureau Director = Ms. Nesta Livingston • Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) = • 15 District Offices • Bureau Director = Ms. Denise Verchimak • Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) = • 6 District Offices • Bureau Director = Mr. David DeNotaris • Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) = • 3 District Offices • Director = Ms. Sharon Behon • Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) = • Commonwealth Technical Institute • Director = Ms. Carol Mackel 3 1 2 5 4

6. OVR/BVRS: Eligibility • Presence of Impairment • Impediment to Employment • Benefit from Services to Achieve Employment Outcome (presumed) (at the time of application)

7. Order of Selection • Rehabilitation Act Sec. 101(a)(5) • In the event that vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided to all eligible individuals with disabilities who apply for services, the State plan shall show the Order to be followed in selecting eligible individuals to be provided vocational rehabilitation services; provide the justification for the Order; assure that individuals with the most significant disabilities will be selected first; and provide information and referral services to individuals who do not meet the Order.

8. Order of Selection • MSD = Most Significant Disabilities • Impairment(s) seriously limit 3 or more employment barriers • Expected to require 2 or more vocational rehabilitation services for at least 6 months from the date of the IPE (Individualized Plan for Employment) • SD = Significant Disabilities • Impairment(s) seriously limit 1-2 of the employment barriers • Expected to require multiple vocational rehabilitation services • NSD = Non-Significant Disabilities • Does not meet the definitions for MSD or SD

9. Order of Selection • 7 Employment Barriers • 1 = Mobility • 2 = Self Care • 3 = Work Tolerance • 4 = Interpersonal Skills • 5 = Work Skills • 6 = Communication • 7 = Self Direction

10. Services Overview • Diagnostic Services & Assessment • Guidance & Counseling • Vocational Evaluations • Restoration Services • Transition Services • Training Assistance • College/University/Technical Schools • Placement Services • On-the-Job Training (OJT) • Job Coaching • Vehicle Modifications • Home Modifications • Small Business Development • Assistive Technology

11. Team Effort! • Make sure basic needs are met. • OVR does not do but it is needed for employment to be successful. • Identify vocational limitations, prioritize, and identify which team member(s) are best able to work with the person to address. • Allow the person to grow, make decisions, and mistakes. • Make realistic goals • Support the person so they can find employment. • OVR is not an employment agency or temp agency • The person is the lead team member • OVR is not an entitled service. The person has to do their part.

12. Employer Services • Business Solutions • Staffing: pre-screened candidates; consultation services; accommodation solutions • Accessibility Analysis: Job analysis & Worksite modification consultation; Reasonable accommodations consultation; Assistive technology information • Financial Incentives: On-the-Job Training reimbursement; Tax credits • Disability Awareness: Sensitivity & Disability Etiquette training; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consultation • Consultation Services • Recruitment • Qualified Employees • Learn about disability-related issues • Short & Long Term Support • Hiring Process; Employment; Promotions; Issues; Separation; Layoffs; Questions; Accommodation Guidance; and much more.

13. OVR/BBVS • Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) • 6 District Offices • Bureau Director = Mr. David DeNotaris • Erie District Administrator = Ms. Dawn Sokol • Eligibility • Vision 20/70 or worse in best eye with correction & Visual Field of 20 degrees or less • Services • Vocational Rehabilitation Program • Rehabilitation Teaching • Orientation and Mobility Instruction • Independent Living for the Older Blind (ILOB) Program • Specialized Children’s Program • Specialized Services for Adults

14. OVR: ODHH • Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) • 3 District Offices • Director = Ms. Sharon Behon • Erie Office = Mr. Gerald Penna • Eligibility • Anyone seeking information regarding Deaf & Hard of Hearing • Services • Advocacy • Information • Referrals

15. OVR: HGAC • Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) • Commonwealth Technical Institute • Director = Ms. Carol Mackel • 12 acre barrier-free campus • Eligibility • OVR Customer • Acceptance via application process • Services • Associate Degrees • Certificate Programs • Support Services • Independent Life Skills

17. PROGRAMATIC ARM OF WIB • Venango Training & Development Center • Bureau of Workforce Development Partnership • Office of Vocational Rehabilitation • Commonwealth CWDS System • CORE Services • Intensive Services • Adult & Dislocated Services • Training Services • Employer Services (under development) • Youth Program • FISCAL ARM OF WIB • Chief Executive Office • Manage Budget • Compliance • Long-term Strategy/Vision • Manage Contracts JOB SEEKERS & EMPLOYERS

18. Core Services (free & available to everyone seeking employment) • Enrollment on the CareerLink® website • Assistance with resume preparation • Tips to help in searching & applying for jobs • Referrals to job openings • Orientation to CareerLink® • Job Search Workshops • Information on financial aid • Labor Market Information • Referrals to other programs & services • Eligibility determination for WIA Intensive Services • Intensive Services (18 or older ; unable to secure employment through Core Services; WIA eligible) • Development of an Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) • Intensive Assessment • Training Services (18 or older ; unable to secure employment through Intensive Services; WIA eligible) • Contingent upon funding availability and appropriateness of employment plan. Not an entitlement program. • Occupational Skills Training at an approved school • Employer Based Training (On the Job or Customized)

19. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us If eligible OVR can help………But not alone. With the person and their support team involved!

20. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us • Thank you! Jack J. Hewitt, M.A.  |  District Administrator PA Department of Labor & Industry | Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503 814-651-9607 814-871-4551 (switchboard) | 1-800-541-0721 (PA toll free - switchboard) 814-871-4535 (TTY) | 1-888-217-1710 (PA toll free - TTY) 814-871-4631 (fax) jhewitt@pa.gov www.dli.state.pa.us http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/disability_services/10355 = OVR webpage http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=606842&mode=2 = OVR Publications https://www.cwds.state.pa.us = Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS)