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What’s On The Radar For DARS / DRS?

What’s On The Radar For DARS / DRS?. By Matthew Deans and Beth Somers for: Kristi Lockhart, MS, CRC Transition Services Coordinator Virginia Division of Rehabilitative Services. March 11, 2013. Today’s agenda. DRS basics News and updates Review of 2012 What’s coming in 2013.

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What’s On The Radar For DARS / DRS?

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  1. What’s On The RadarFor DARS / DRS? By Matthew Deans and Beth Somers for: Kristi Lockhart, MS, CRC Transition Services Coordinator Virginia Division of Rehabilitative Services March 11, 2013

  2. Today’s agenda • DRS basics • News and updates • Review of 2012 • What’s coming in 2013

  3. About DRS • Virginia’s federally mandated Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program • Assists individuals with disabilities to prepare for, enter, and maintain employment • Focus is on EMPLOYMENT • Participation is VOLUNTARY

  4. The VR Transition Counselor • In offices located across the Commonwealth • Serving every public high school • Works collaboratively with: • Student and their family • Special Education Staff • Guidance Counselors • Case Managers • Physicians • Therapists • Others

  5. The VR Counselor • An expert in disability and career counseling • Determines eligibility for DRS services • Identifies barriers to competitive employment • Helps develop employment goal • Develops Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with steps to achieve student’s employment goal

  6. Early involvement is essential! • Start discussing DRS at least 3 yrs prior to exiting • Ask questions and plan ahead

  7. Research tells us: • Transition age youth demonstrate better employment outcomes when they receive services early • Transition age youth with disabilities get and keep quality jobs at a higher rate when they apply for vocational rehabilitation services beforethey have tried to join the labor market or begin receiving public assistance

  8. Steps for Involvement with DRS • Referral • Intake • Eligibility • Order of Selection* • Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) • Services • Closure * When a state does not have sufficient funds to meet the needs of all individuals seeking services, a plan must be initiated to serve those clients with the most need first.

  9. Eligibility Criteria • Eligible to work in the US • Documented disability • Barrier to employment • Be able to benefit from services • Require services to prepare for, enter and engage in or retain employment

  10. Issues to think about… • Modifications or accommodations • Effective communication skills • Organizational skills • Assistance needed to get from place to place • Training or supervision to obtain/maintain work skills • Work stamina • Work habits • Adaptive/assistive technology

  11. Issues to think about… • Money management • Medication management • Self-care capability • Ability to plan and initiate activities • Problem solving skills • Interactions and relationships with others • Self advocacy skills

  12. Financial Participation • Eligible students must complete financial need process • Some services can be provided without regard to financial need • Some services involve financial participation on the part of the student and family

  13. Services that may be provided at no cost • Guidance and counseling • Assessment • Career exploration • Job seeking and placement • On-the-Job Training, Unpaid Work Experiences • Disability awareness counseling • Follow-along services after job placement

  14. Services that may have a cost share • Higher education • Vocational/technical training • Durable medical equipment or other goods • Assistive Technology (A.T.) • Therapeutic Intervention

  15. The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) • Developed after DRS eligibility is established • Created collaboratively with student, family, service providers, and DRS Counselor • Parallel to the student’s IEP • Focuses on employment • Outlines steps, services and funding needed for employment goal

  16. Functional Limitations Considered • Mobility • Self Direction • Self Care • Interpersonal Skills • Communication • Work Tolerance • Work Skills

  17. News and Updates • DARS: Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services • 5 divisions • Division of Rehabilitative Services • Division for the Aging • Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center • Community Based Services • Disability Determination Services • Order of Selection • Now serving Nov/Dec/Jan applicants in Category I

  18. Project SEARCH (PS): • New Supported Employment and Project SEARCH Coordinator (Matthew Deans) • Goals: • Help to develop new PS sites. • Assist teams in coordination • Help problem solve issues that arise throughout year. • Help locate resources for new and existing sites. • Survey PS Teams annually to determine training needs. • Conduct trainings related to these needs.

  19. Supported Employment (SE): • Develop collaborative, proactive relationships • Develop annual technical assistance and training plans for ESO related services. • Trainings for new Counselors, DRS offices and ESOs • Assist in coordination of Regional SE Forums • Focus trainings on integration and competitive employment outcomes.

  20. Review of 2012

  21. What happened in 2012? • Cooperative Agreements were all up-to-date! • New opportunities to collaborate with VDOE • Employment First • Diploma changes • Mental Health services highlighted • New System of Care concept at DBHDS • All TPC meetings focused on it • Transition Councils became more important than ever! • Re-energizing them where needed • Developing them where they haven’t existed • Connecting Local Transition Councils for sharing/learning

  22. Virginia’s Transition Councils • Map and list of Councils • Do you know your Council? • on Va DCDT website • Rethink how information travels • Revamp how we communicate and partner…at all levels • Transition Council Graphic 2012

  23. What’s Coming in 2013? • Communication framework developed for state, regional, and local transition councils • One spot for sharing across communities • SharedWork.org • Annual Cooperative Agreement “check-in”

  24. What’s Coming in 2013? • Collaboration with I’m Determined program • Integrated into VR process • Collaboration with Foster Care to improve outcomes • Better communication and process with DSS

  25. What’s Coming in 2013? • Updated website for DRS Transition Services! • New DRS Transition Guide • More information for families, school staff, and others • Additional resources and links provided • Links to other agencies and service providers

  26. What Would You Like To See?

  27. For more information please contact: Kristi Lockhart Transition Services Coordinator (804) 337-1184 Kristi.Lockhart@drs.virginia.gov

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