PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1. PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)

2. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Division of Rehabilitation Services is to provide leadership and support in promoting the employment, economic self-sufficiency, and independence of individuals with disabilities.

3. DORS provides public rehabilitation services through two programs: • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) • Independent Living (IL)

4. Vocational Rehabilitation vs. Independent Living Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR): • The VR program, the primary rehabilitation program offered through DORS, provides programs and services that assist persons with disabilities who want to work or need services to keep their current jobs. Independent Living Services (IL): • The smaller IL program, provides assistance to persons who do not have employment goals. This program helps individuals with significant disabilities achieve greater independence in their homes and/or communities.

5. WHAT IS THE VR PROCESS? • Referral • Application/Initial Interview • Gathering existing records/eligibility assessment • Eligibility/Order of Selection • Comprehensive assessment of skills and abilities • Development of an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) • Service Provision • Job Development/Placement • Case Closure • Post-Employment Services (if needed)

6. REFERRAL • DORS develops and maintains relationships with organizations, agencies and persons in the community to obtain appropriate and timely referrals • Referrals can come from any interested party • Referrals can be made online at www.dors.state.md.us • Referrals can also be mailed, faxed, phoned, or dropped off at a local office • DORS will respond within 10 days of referral • An individual will be scheduled for an initial interview within 30 days, to meet with a counselor and informed of what to bring to the appointment

7. APPLICATION/INITIAL INTERVIEW The counselor/consumer discuss: • The consumers disability and how it affects work • The VR program, process, and available services • Non-discrimination • The consumers goals, needs, concerns & options • Rights and responsibilities to include: the Appeal Process, the availability of the Client Assistance Program, and confidentiality • Eligibility/Order of selection • Comparable benefits/Financial participation • Preferred mode of communication/alternate format needs • The consumers assistive technology needs, if necessary

8. HOW IS ELIGIBILITY FOR VR DETERMINED? A consumer may be eligible if: • The consumer has a physical, mental, cognitive, or sensory impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment • The consumer requires vocational services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment consistent with their strengths, interests, and abilities • The consumer is presumed eligible if they receive SSI or SSDI

9. ELIGIBILITY/ORDER OF SELECTION ASSESSMENT Includes: • Reviewing existing medical or educational records, determinations made by other agencies, information provided by consumer, and counselor observations • Providing medical assessments at no cost, if needed

10. DORS may provide a comprehensive assessment to: • Identify interests, strengths, and needs • Assist in development of vocational goal Comprehensive assessment includes career decision making, counseling and referral for other needed services.

11. INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN FOR EMPLOYMENT (IPE) • An IPE identifies employment goal consistent with strengths, resources, abilities, interests and informed choice. The plan lists the steps and services necessary to achieve the goal, and who will provide those services. • The IPE identifies how the financial contribution, if any, will be applied to services. • A consumer may draft an IPE or have help from others, including the counselor. • The IPE must be approved prior to implementation.

12. DORS provides and/or arranges personalized support and employment services so the consumer can plan and follow a path to success.

13. Career Assessment Career Guidance and Counseling Prevocational Services Vocational Training/Higher education Supported Employment Services Self-Employment Services Medical Rehabilitation Services Transitioning Services Services to the Blind and Vision Impaired Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Job Development and Placement Services Assistive Technology SERVICE PROVISION MAY INCLUDE:

14. Celebrating Employment • Once the consumer begins working, keeping in touch with the DORS counselor to discuss the progress and job satisfaction is essential • DORS can provide services to assist the consumer with maintaining employment as needed • Once the consumer has worked at least 90 days, they become a DORS success story and the case is closed • Post-Employment Services can be requested as needed following case closure • If the consumer needs services again in the future, they may reapply for DORS services

15. DORS also operates theWorkforce and Technology Center (WTC). WTC is one of nine state-operated comprehensive rehabilitation facilities in the country. WTC provides a wide range of services to individuals with significant disabilities. WTC offers participants the skills and information needed to move into today’s competitive workplace, along with the individual attention that participants need to learn at their own pace.

16. WTC services include:

17. Career Assessment Services (CAS): • Provide information about strengths, capabilities, priorities, concerns, and interests • Are systematic and organized • Are flexible and customized • Requires collaboration • Requires several sources of input • Are used to make decisions • Are used to develop plans

18. Rehabilitation Technology Services Provides professional consultations, assessments and training in the use of assistive technology, designed to enable individuals with disabilities to be successful in the areas of work, education, independent living and personal care.

19. Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility Program: • Medical-Functional Evaluations • Functional Capacity Evaluations • Individual Therapy Assessments • Physical Restoration Services • Equipment Recommendations • Home Assessments • Workplace Assessments • Case Management Services

20. VR Policies and Procedures • Overview of Self-Employment • RISE Program • Role of Division

21. Overview of Self-Employment • Consistent with Division policy and procedures, services may be provided to individuals with a vocational goal involving development and management of their own businesses. • Structure and extensive assessment and planning are required in order to provide the individual with information needed to make decisions which will lead to successful employment outcomes.

22. RISE Program • Self-employment services are provided through the RISE program (Reach Independence through Self-Employment), which is designed to promote and facilitate self-employment. • The RISE program involves partnerships with community providers and agencies, and provides participants with market information critical to selection of an industry/business and assist in the identification of financial resources.

23. Role of Division The primary role of the Division in assisting an individual with a vocational goal of self-employment is to provide support and information throughout the assessment, planning and implementation process, including assisting with the identification of community resources.

24. What if a consumer is unable to work, but still needs some type of assistance to increase independence at home or in the community?

25. DORS Independent Living Services A consumer may be eligible if: • The consumer has a significant physical, mental, cognitive or sensory impairment which substantially limits the consumers ability to function independently in their family or community • It is determined that IL services will improve the consumers ability to function, continue functioning, or move toward functioning independently

26. INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN (ILP) • An ILP is developed in collaboration with the consumer to achieve the IL goal. • The ILP includes the independent living goal, services, providers and projected time frames for services, and information regarding financial participation.

27. Case Studies. . .

28. Mr. P • A 54 year old who had his right leg amputated, eight inches below the knee. Owned 250 acres of land which he grows corn, soybean, wheat, barley and hay. Has 50 head of cattle, which he grows for meat and breeding. • Referral received from the Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility Project with supporting documentation • AgrAbiity, DORS, WTC and Center for Independent Living representatives visited the consumer at home for the initial intake • Consumer received worksite modifications, vehicle modifications and home modifications

29. Mrs. L • A 54 year old poultry grower diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Disc Disease and Depression which hindered her ability to perform her job • Referral received from Delaware-Maryland Extension Center • Delaware-Maryland Extension Center, DORS, Easter Seals, Choptank Electric, RISE Program and WTC involved in the initial intake • Consumer received services and funding from the Design Unit at WTC, funding for simple modifications from Choptank Electric Cooperative Grant, and evaluation of the business through the RISE program for DORS funding

30. Mrs. F • A 50 year old poultry grower who has been dignosed with arthritis in her hands,arms, back, knees, and hips. • Referral received from Delaware-Maryland AgrAbility Project with documentation • Easter Seals, Extension Center, WTC, RISE Program and DORS involved in initial meetings • Consumer unable to perform functions without extreme strain on her body joints • Consumer received services through WTC and funding through DORS

31. Questions and Answers …..

32. An online referral form is available at www.dors.state.md.us. This form can also be mailed, faxed or taken to a DORS office. Call the nearest DORS office. To find your nearest office, call toll-free 1-888-554-0334 or visit www.dors.state.md.us E-mail: dors@dors.state.md.us