(personalize with your name)Transition Counselor

Division of Rehabilitative Services

Transition Services within Vocational Rehabilitation

(Date)

Virginia’s federally mandated Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program

Assists individuals with disabilities to prepare for, enter, and maintain employment

Focus is on EMPLOYMENT Participation is VOLUNTARY

About DRS

An expert in disability and career counseling Determines eligibility for DRS services Identifies barriers to competitive employment Helps develop employment goal Develops Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

with steps to achieve student’s employment goal

The VR Counselor

Offices located across the Commonwealth

Every high school

Works collaboratively with:◦ Student and their family◦ Special Education Staff◦ Guidance Counselors◦ Case Managers◦ Physicians◦ Therapists◦ Others

The VR Transition Counselor

Campus located in Fishersville PERT program for high school youth Life Skills Training Program Vocational Evaluations Therapeutic Evaluations Vocational Training Programs Driver Evaluation and Training (including modified)

Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center

Early involvement is essential! At least 3 years from exiting school Ask questions and plan accordingly

Transition age youth demonstrate better employment outcomes when they receive services early

Transition age youth get and keep quality jobs at a higher rate than those who apply for vocational rehabilitation services after they have joined the labor market or begin receiving public assistance

We Know:

Referral Intake Eligibility Order of Selection* Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) Services Closure

* When a state does not have sufficient funds to meet the needs of all individuals seeking services, a plan must be initiated to serve those clients with the most need first.

Steps for Involvement with DRS

Eligible to work in the US Documented disability Barrier to employment Be able to benefit from services Require services to prepare for, enter and engage

in or retain employment

Eligibility Criteria

Mobility Self Direction Self Care Interpersonal Skills Communication Work Tolerance Work Skills

Functional Limitations Considered

Modifications or accommodations Effective communication skills Organizational skills Assistance needed to get from place to place Training or supervision to obtain/maintain work skills Work stamina Work habits Adaptive/assistive technology

Issues to think about…

Money management Medication management Self-care capability Ability to plan and initiate activities Problem solving skills Interactions and relationships with others Self advocacy skills

Issues to think about…

Developed after DRS eligibility is established Created collaboratively with student, family,

service providers, and DRS Counselor Parallel to the student’s IEP Focuses on the goal of employment Outlines steps needed for employment goal Plans for necessary services and funding

The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Eligible students must complete financial need process

Some services can be provided without regard to financial need

Some services involve financial participation on the part of the student and family

Financial Participation

Guidance and counseling Assessment Career exploration Job seeking and placement On-the-Job Training, Unpaid Work Experiences Disability awareness counseling Follow-along services after job placement

Services that may be provided at no cost

Higher education Vocational/technical training Durable medical equipment or other goods Assistive Technology (A.T.) Therapeutic Intervention

Services that may have a cost share

Division of Rehabilitative ServicesVirginia Dept for Aging and Rehabilitative Services www.vadars.org 800-552-5019 (voice) 800-464-9950 (TTY)

xxxxxxxxxx@dars.virginia.gov (###)-###-####

Contact us