Getting to WORK with Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Getting to WORK with Vocational Rehabilitation

Services

TBI ConferenceApril 2014

Housekeeping

• Cell phones muted• Hold questions for the end• Parking lot• Alternate format

VRS Mission

Empower Minnesotans with disabilitiesto achieve their goals for

employment , independent living,and community integration.

Who VRS Serves:

• Individuals who have a substantial impediment to employment due to disability

• Individuals who are pursuing independent, community jobs, earning the same wages as coworkers without a disability

• Students in high school to 65+ years old

VRS and Transition Students

There is a VR counselor assigned to every high school in MN.

http://mn.gov/deed/images/Transition_School_Directory.pdf

“Simply Said” video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT9pKlcTQMg

Eligibility and Priority

• Social Security recipients (SSI,SSDI)• Ability to benefit• Priority for serviceso Communicationo Self Careo Self Directiono Interpersonal Skillso Work Toleranceo Work Skillso Mobility

Community Partnerships

Independent Living Centers

Community Rehabilitation Partners

WorkForce Center Partners – Job Service, WIA providers

Area training sites – apprenticeships, community and technical colleges, universities, Adult Basic Education

Businesses

Potential Services

Vocational Evaluation

Job Try Out

Driver’s Assessment/Training

Assistive Technology Assessment/Training

Skills based training

Job Shadow

Resume Development

Job Seeking Skills Training

Job Placement

On the Job Supports

* Supported Employment

IDEA vs. ADA

Examples of Accommodations

Areas of Accommodation• Physical Limitations• Visual Problems• Maintaining Stamina During the Workday• Maintaining Concentration• Difficulty Staying Organized and Meeting Deadlines• Memory Deficits• Problem Solving Deficits• Working Effectively with Supervisors• Difficulty Handling Stress and Emotions

http://askjan.org/media/BrainInjury.html

Success Stories:

Add client first names here

VRS Statewide Offices in WFCs

Most VRS officesare located withinMinnesota’sstatewide networkof WorkForce Centers.In addition to the WFCoffices, there are fourstand-alone VRS offices.

https://connect.mn.gov/sites/DEED/VRS/Directories/field.pdf

Questions:

Annette Sobek, MS, CRC

Annette.sobek@state.mn.us

Rebecca Johnson, MS, CRC

Rebecca.l.johnson@state.mn.us

Kendra Grunig, MS, CRC

Kendra.grunig@state.mn.us