State of Oregon Department of

Human Services

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

The Mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist Oregonians with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and independence.

How Do I Qualify?

You must have one or more physical, mental, or emotional impairments.

The functional limitations from your disability must result in a substantial barrier to getting hired or keeping a job.

You must be able to benefit from available, substantial Vocational Rehabilitation services (in terms of competitive employment results).

If you are determined eligible for disability benefits through SSI or SSDI, OVRS presumes you are eligible for our program if you intend to go to work. (Supporting medical or psychological documentation must be provided to clarify your current functional limitations and ensure appropriate goal selection and VR services are included in your plan). You are also required to provide written verification of your SSI/SSDI eligibility (Social Security Award Letter).

Note: The Commission for the Blind is the primary provider of VR services for people with legal blindness, or who have rapidly progressive vision deterioration leading to blindness.

Preparing for your Intake Appointment Complete the Service Questionnaire. Be sure to

complete all the information requested, including your medical history, education, training and job experience. Bring these completed forms to your intake appointment.

You must bring proof of identification and proof that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Without these documents you cannot sign an Application for Services.

VR Intake and Application Process Intake Interview with your VR Counselor

– Be prepared to answer questions about:

Your disability and how it limits your ability to do past jobs.

Your paid and unpaid work experience(s) and skills for at least the last 10 years.

Your past training and education. You will be asked to sign permission

(authorization) for VR to obtain medical or psychological, education or other records that document your disability.

Sign the formal Application to request VR services.

Eligibility Evaluation – 60 Days VR gathers and reviews documented evidence of

disability(ies) from licensed clinical treatment provider(s). VR may ask you to participate in additional evaluations, or

tests, or possibly a community-based work assessment. VR counselor assesses your transferable skills and

impact of your disability(ies) on work for which you would otherwise qualify and your ability to return to former work.

Eligibility decisions are made and you are notified in writing.

NOTE: If VR is unable to document or determine your disability in 60 days, we may ask you if you want to extend the time, or close your file.

If I Am Found Eligible, What Services Can I Receive from VR?

Vocational counseling and guidance to assist in selecting a job goal

Evaluations, if necessary, to determine your job skills and interests

Training or education, if needed, to help you find employment

Special equipment or technology that can aid in helping you to hold a job

Assistance with transportation to training or job sites On-the-job training, job search assistance, or job interview

skills to help get and keep your job Business Employment Specialist on-site, computers and

fax machine for job search activities

Vocational Goal Selection Process• You will participate in a process to make a rational informed choice

of your specific, appropriate job goal.

• We build on your unique abilities, interests, concerns, priorities and labor market information to narrow down the goal that will best works for you – and how to get there.

Your GoalHow to Get There

Labor Market Research

Concerns PrioritiesInterests Abilities

All Jobs

Follow Plan

Sign Plan

Write your Plan

Meet with VRC to begin Vocational

Planning Eligibility Assessment

Intake and Application

Orientation

Employment!

VR Plan ServicesPlans are individually designed in partnership with you to resolve problems and reach your goal:– Accommodations to remove or reduce

barriers to work.– Counseling and career guidance.– Training/education requirements of the

job goal.– Comparable benefits to help pay for

services.

Writing your VR PlanPlan is to be written within 180 days from eligibility.Outline and document each step needed to achieve your work goal.Identify required services to support each step.Document and outline costs.– Financial Aid and other resources.

Project the time needed to complete steps and reach your goal.Write and sign a formal agreement.

Following your Plan

Once agreed upon, you are expected to follow through with your plan and complete each step to reach successful employment.

Do not quit your job or make changes to your plan without contacting your counselor – FIRST.

Follow all medical/mental health advice and treatment plan(s).

Job Retention Services – 90 DaysMonitor placement for 90 days after your hire date.

Services to ensure continued employment.

Advocacy for disability-related and ADA issues.

Continued counseling and guidance to aid work adjustment.

Post Employment ServicesShort-Term-Limited intervention to ensure

job retention:Advocacy for disability-related issues.Services to you or your employer to help you

keep your job.Counseling and guidance (short-term).

NOTE: Long-term and/or high-cost services will require a new application for VR services, new eligibility and new plan.

The Oregon Youth transition program

Individualized Education Programs:• Specially designed

instruction• Related services• Program modifications• Classroom accommodations• Supplementary aids and

services

Postsecondary educationVocational educationIntegrated employment (including supported employment)Accessing adult servicesIndependent livingCommunity participation

Transition In Oregon

Education“Adult” life

YTP Overview

• YTP is a Partnership including: • Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation

• Public schools statewide

• Oregon Department of Education

• University of Oregon College of Education

• Over the last 22 years, YTP has provided direct services and improved outcomes for over 22,000 students with disabilities

• YTP is in 55 districts and in 115 schools

Youth Transition Program Goals• Prepare high school

youth with disabilities for employment or career related post secondary education (service delivery)

• Create a new pattern of service within schools and communities (systems change)

Transition Partnership Goals

IEP

YTP(IPE)

Employment

EducationTraining

Transition

• Screening and referral to VR• Transition planning & Instruction • Job shadows, and career exploration activities • Provide job coaching• Develop paid employment consistent with the

vocational goal (IPE) of the student. • Post school placement• Follow-up support

YTP SPECIFIC TRANSITION SERVICES

N = 1415YTP Database, Students Served, 7/1/2009 through 6/30/2011

YTP Student Outcomes

N = 1415YTP Database, Students Served, 7/1/2009 through 6/30/2011

2009-2011YTP Student Outcomes

VR Website – Office Locations

VR Web Site:http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/index.shtml

OR

You may ask for local office locations by contacting our office at 971-673-6130