OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES

1. OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES

2. What Kinds of Jobs Do Our Clients Find? • Any sort of job you can imagine. • Examples: • Pharmacist • Nurse • Teacher • Clerical • Janitorial • Food Service

3. How Does the Process Work? • Submit an application for services and meet with a counselor to determine if services are appropriate. • At this time, there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can apply for services.

4. Eligibility • Can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services (benefit) • Physical or mental impairment which constitutes substantial impediment to employment; (impediment) • Requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment. (need)

5. Eligibility • Anyone who receives SSI and/or SSDI is presumptively eligible for services. Applying for DRS services does not help with eligibility for social security benefits. • Eligibility is determined by review of medical records to identify impediments to employment.

6. Priority Groups • When eligibility is determined, the client will be placed in a priority group based upon the severity of their disabilities and their functional limitations. • To make this determination we look at functional limitations which may be affected, such as social skills, mobility, work tolerance, etc.

7. Priority Groups • There are three priority groups with Group One being the most severe. • Budget constraints sometimes require the closure of priority groups. When a group is closed, the applicant goes on a waiting list until funds are available. • At this time, all priority groups are open.

8. Planning • The counselor may order a vocational evaluation to help the client determine vocational goals by career exploration. • The vocational evaluation also identifies academic deficiencies and strengths. It may be used to justify, or rule out, post-secondary education.

9. Vocational Evaluation • The vocational evaluation will also identify market trends and growth in the area of vocational interest. • This assessment is done by the agency at no cost to the client and cannot be used to determine eligibility.

10. Vocational Evaluation A vocational evaluation includes paper and pencil testing, computer exploration of vocations as well as hands on activities such as visual perception and mechanical ability.

11. Plan Development • The plan (IPE) is individually developed to remove impediments to employment. • The plan should take into account client interests, skills and limitations as well as the job outlook for the vocational goal. • It differs from an IEP in that the focus is on employment not education.

12. Goals • Each plan will detail a vocational goal • The plan will specify progress criteria toward that goal • The plan addresses the disability

13. Services • All services are job related and must be justified. • DRS is not a medical or dental care provider. • When planned services are agreed upon, both the counselor and the client will sign the plan.

14. Service Examples • Assistive technology devices • Counseling and guidance • Drivers training • Employment and retention • Glasses

15. Service Examples • Job placement • Post employment services • Supported employment services • Transportation • Vocational /college training • Work clothing

16. Cost of Services The counselor will review income guidelines and the client’s finances. Medical expenses can be deducted. Many services are free. Client participation is determined prior to the signing of the plan.

17. Implementation • All services must be pre-authorized. • Plans are designed to be flexible and can be amended as needed during the life of the case.

18. Case Closure • Successful: after a client has been employed for 90 days (or 12 weeks for supported employment), their case is closed successfully. • Successful closures allow the agency to receive more federal money to help others.

19. Case Closure • Unsuccessful closure: a case which does not result in employment is closed unsuccessfully. The case may be red-flagged if the client abused services. • A red-flagged case can affect future services.

20. Post Employment Services • Post employment services are designed to assist a client with additional services that may be required after successful closure. • Examples: • repairs to prosthesis, • resume writing • The counselor will determine if a new case should be opened.

21. Transition Services • Transition services are designed to help a student make the adjustment from high school to the world of work. • Minimum age for application is 16. Any student with an IEP or section 504 plan is probably eligible for DRS services. • Also, any student who can document a disability which fits the eligibility criteria is likely to be eligible for services.

22. Transition Referrals • Referrals are usually made by the school counselor or Special Education teacher. • If you think someone would benefit from services, please make the referral. There may be limitations which are not apparent that will surface during our evaluation process.

23. Transition Services • OJT provides paid hands-on training in specific occupational skills that students receive as part of their workplace experiences. This service is provided through a contract with the employer. • WAT provides students with vocational training, including soft skills, work behaviors, and specific work tasks provided by a contract with a community-based facility (18 month maximum duration).

24. Why Refer Students DRS Counselors can attend IEP meetings and parent meetings to educate families on services provided and to assist the student with job placement or training.

25. Paid Work Experience Samples • Custodial • Daycare assistant • Library aid • Office assistant • Mail clerk • Teacher’s aid • Sports team manager • Landscape maintenance • Information services assistant

26. Visual Services • Individuals who are: • blind • have significant visual impairments or • have diabetes. • Provides help with job placement, adjustment to vision loss and services for older blind individuals.

27. Hearing Impairment and Deafness Individuals whose primary disability is hearing loss or deafness are served by this division of DRS.

28. Hispanic Services • DRS has counselors who specialize in providing services to Hispanic families across Oklahoma. • This unit handles incoming calls on a statewide toll-free line for Spanish speakers by interviewing callers and providing information about DRS, the number is 1-800-523-1565.

29. Assistive Technology and Evaluation DRS evaluators meet with clients to determine appropriate assistive technology and recommend accommodations. These evaluators have received specialized training in the latest technical advances.

30. Benefits Planning • Benefits planners meet with clients to explain how much money they can earn before their SS benefits are affected. • They will also answer questions about various SS programs.

31. Retention Services • Retention services are designed to assist clients who are already working. They are the same services available to other clients, but client participation in the cost of services is more likely. Examples: • hearing aids • prosthesis • vehicle modifications

32. DDSD Developmental disabilities services division is a part of DHS. They provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities to assist them to be as independent as possible.

33. Contacting DRS • Call the statewide toll-free number at 1-800-487-4042. • WWW.OKDRS.ORG • Transition Coordinator Kim Osmani - 405-635-2768

34. Definitions • SSI: supplemental security income - usually the full amount is $674. Determination made by Disability Determination Division for Social Security. DDD is a division of DRS. SSI is for individuals who have not worked enough quarters to quality for SSDI.

35. Definitions • SSDI: Social Security Disability Income. The amount depends on the amount of income earned while working. Beneficiaries have worked the required number of quarters. Determination made by DDD.

36. Definitions • Employer Work Study: Paid work experience in the community where students receive credit. Done through a contract with DRS and schools.

37. Definitions • Individualized Education Program (IEP):An educational program implemented while in school that includes special education and related services to be provided, along with annual goals, objectives, and activities.

38. Definitions • Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE):A plan for employment developed by DRS that takes into consideration the young adult’s needs, strengths, and interests, and assists in obtaining employment skills and experiences to reach employment.

39. Definitions • On-The-Job Training (OJT):Paid Work experience in the community through a contract between DRS and the employer.

40. Definitions • School Work Study:Paid work experience on school campus where students receive credit. This is done through contracts between DRS and schools.

41. Definitions • Section 504 Plan:This plan requires that no persons with disabilities shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination. It applies to preschool through adult education programs. Individuals must be provided a free appropriate public education regardless of the nature or severity of disability.

42. Definitions • Work Site Learning:Paid work experience off school campus where students receive credit. This is done through contracts between DRS and schools.

43. Jan Hatch - Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services • Thanks to Kim Osmani for reference materials