Vocational Rehabilitation Services Update and Eligibility Criteria Summary

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Update FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (FSSA) FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (FSSA) DIVISION OF DISABILITY AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (DDRS) DIVISION OF DISABILITY AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (DDRS) BUREAU OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (BRS) BUREAU OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (BRS)

Organizational Structure Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) Blind and Vision Impaired Services (BVIS) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) Independent Living Services (IL) Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) VRS operates in all 92 Indiana counties 4 Regions, 23 Area Offices (19 locations) Area Directory available at http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2760.htm

The VR Program Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services is a program that works with individuals with all disabilities to assist them in achieving their employment goals. Employment goals are based on the individual s interests, strengths, and priorities. VR provides a wide range of services to assist job seekers with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment. Services may include training, job placement, rehabilitation technology, vocational counseling and guidance, physical and mental restoration, or a wide range of other services.

Eligibility Criteria (to be considered in sequential order) Does the individual have a physical or mental impairment? Does the applicant s physical or mental impairment constitute or result in a substantial impediment to employment? Does the applicant require VR services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment consistent with the applicant s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice? Can the applicant benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome? If applicant receives SSI or SSDI for his or her own disability, applicant is presumed eligible for VR services if it is determined the applicant will benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome

Severity Determination Once eligibility has been determined, VR will assess level of severity for the eligible individual, which includes an assessment of three factors: functional limitations related to employment (mobility, communication, self- care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills) the number of vocational rehabilitation services needed to achieve competitive, integrated employment (1 service or multiple) the anticipated duration of service provision (more or less than 6 months)

Severity Determination Three levels of severity Individual with a Most Significant Disability (MSD) Individual with a Significant Disability (SD) All other eligible individuals The eligible individual is assigned to a priority category, based on level of severity Under order of selection, severity determination impacts which eligible participants receive vocational rehabilitation services Under order of selection, individuals with the most significant disabilities will be served first

Severity Determination SD MSD ALL OTHER ELIGIBLE Consumer is assigned to a VR Counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and receipt of vocational rehabilitation services to assist in achievement of the competitive, integrated employment goal Consumer is placed on Deferred Services List until such time as VR has sufficient resources (staffing and/or funding) to serve individuals in this category

Whats new? Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) - requires VR to shift fiscal resources to meet substantial new federal requirements. o Reserve 15% of funds for pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities age 14-22, including job exploration counseling, work-based learning, counseling on opportunities for enrollment in post-secondary training, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy. o Career counseling and information and referral services to individuals employed or seeking employment at sub-minimum wage. o Enhanced partnership with Department of Workforce Development, e.g. Unified State Plan. o Expanded federal reporting requirements. VR is experiencing significant challenges in building and retaining sufficient resources to serve all eligible individuals, and meet expectations for timeliness and provide quality services. This includes a shortage of staffing resources.

Whats new? A State VR agency is required to implement an order of selection when it lacks sufficient resources to fully serve all eligible individuals. The order of selection process is utilized to prioritize consumer services in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by WIOA, which requires that individuals with the most significant disabilities be served first. Indiana implemented an order of selection August 1, 2017 following Rehabilitation Services Administration approval of the amended VR section of the Unified WIOA State Plan.

How Can I Find More Information? For general information about VR please visit: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2636.htm Visit the BRS order of selection resource page at: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/5285.htm Sign up to receive announcements and additional information at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INFSSA/subscriber/new

Contacting VRS If you or someone you know might benefit from Vocational Rehabilitation Services, call the local office nearest you. Local office and other information is available on the VR website at www.vrs.in.gov.