1. ACCES-VR TRANSITION SERVICES
Transition to Career
80 Wolf Road – Suite 200
Albany, New York
Telephone: (518)
Toll Free #:
Fax: (518)

2. 9 counties Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, Washington 75 school districts 8 alternative schools/placements

3. What is ACCES-VR? Adult Career and Continuing Education Services -
Vocational
Rehabilitation

4. EMPLOYMENT
ACCES-VR Is All About Work!

5. From Special Education to Adult Vocational Rehabilitation
When students leave high school, there are no more education entitlement programs.
Adult services are based on eligibility requirements and availability of funds and services

6. Transition Services
ACCES-VR helps individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment.
Transition services specifically refers to services provided to students with disabilities in order to assist them to transition from school into the world of work.
where will they live – any non work services – prevocational, basic academic skill building, social, recreational, residential or living skills
VESID adult VR is often a a big part of or even the sum total of the plan when in reality it should be a small part of the students transition – the focus needs to be on tends to be on where the student is going, not on just getting him or her out of school.
Looking at our mission statement (go to next slide)

7. Mission Statement
The Mission of Transition to Career Services of the Capital District Office of ACCES-VR is to provide consumer focused, high-quality vocational counseling, consultation, and collaboration with secondary school students, parents, and staff to facilitate an understanding of and effect a seamless and timely transition through ACCES-VR services, with a goal of successful employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

8. When to refer students
Interested students with disabilities should be referred within the last 2 years of high school for eligibility determination and planning purposes.
ACCES-VR funding for services is usually not initiated until the last semester of high school, but there can be individual exceptions.
Our goal is to have students referred to VESID in the fall of their junior year, and have VESID be an integral part of planning for post secondary outcomes.
We want to get students into counseling and guidance plans with an identified employment goal early. This goal can and should be changed as part of the transition process.
The students and their funding are still the responsibility of the school district until they either graduate or turn 21.
The exceptions noted are, for example, for SE services which begin in the summer between junior and senior year as a summer employment assessment to continue in the fall outside school hours for continuity of service with an agency and continued work skills development. We need to justify in most cases that the service cannot be provided by the school, and document what has been tried.

9. Who can be referred to ACCES-VR?
Any student with a permanent
disability can be referred for eligibility
determination.

10. Who should be referred to ACCES-VR?
Students who are motivated to work and who will be capable of working independently in the community

11. Types of Disabilities Often hidden Often obvious: Learning disability
Medical – heart, diabetes, kidney disease
Alcohol or drug abuse
Psychological & emotional conditions
Often obvious:
Visual impairment
Deaf or hard of hearing
Mobility impairment
Developmental disability
Amputation

12. Referral Process
Application packet with documentation of disability is submitted to the ACCES-VR office (forms can be obtained electronically by contacting
Case is registered and then assigned to the vocational rehabilitation counselor (VRC) working with the student’s home school
The VRC will work with the school transition liaison to arrange to meet with the student/parents/other interested parties for an intake interview

13. Referral Process Complete application packet arrives at ACCES-VR
Eligibility determination is made within 60 days
Meeting with VRC coordinated with school at any point once complete packet is received
Work goal is identified and IPE developed together
Services begin as agreed, dependent on type of service

14. Referral Package Referral Cover Sheet Assets & Challenges Checklist
Current IEP/504
Psychological (if applicable)
Transcript (if post secondary education is planned)
ACCES-VR application VR-04
ACCES-VR Information Release Authorizations
VR-21 & VR-22
Student Questionnaire
ACCES-VR Financial Survey
Other medical reports when applicable

15. Applications
Documentation of the disability from the physician, therapist, counselor, etc. should be submitted with the application along with any school testing/records/ plans.
All Applications/releases for students need to be signed by the student.
Applications/releases for students under the age of 18 need to be signed by the student and co-signed by a parent or guardian.

16. Eligibility
Must have a permanent and/or progressive, documented disability
Disability must be an impediment to reaching a vocational goal
Must be able to benefit from services in terms of employment outcome
ACCES-VR services must be required to reach employment goal

17. The Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)
All ACCES-VR consumers develop an IPE with a specific employment goal stated
The goal must be feasible and approved by ACCES-VR
There must be a reasonable expectation that a successful employment outcome will be reached

18. Overview of Possible ACCES-VR SERVICES
Vocational Counseling
Vocational Assessments
Diagnostic Vocational Evaluations
Functional Evaluations
Technological Evaluations
Vocational Training
College Services and Supports
Supported Employment
Direct Job Placement
Work try out
On the job training
Driver training

19. Economic Need
Some services do depend on economic need: tuition and fees, books, tools/equipment, rehabilitation technology, some training programs
Some services do not depend on economic need: evaluations, tutors, note takers, some training programs, placement, job coaches, OJT, driver training

20. ACCES-VR SERVICES and economic need $
Vocational Counseling
Vocational Assessments
Diagnostic Vocational Evaluations
Functional Evaluations
Technological Evaluations
Driver training
Vocational Training $
College Tuition, fees and books $
Rehabilitation Technology Services $
Academic support services
Supported Employment
Direct Job Placement
Work try out
On the job training

21. Types of Vocational Training
BOCES training programs
Private vocational school programs
Certificate programs at Community Colleges

22. College Training Services
May include financial contribution toward:
Tuition, fees, books, room and board
One-on-one tutors
Note takers
Travel costs to and from school if not living on campus
Other disability specific supports such as interpreters and aides for physical needs

23. Supported Employment
Job placement services through agencies on ACCES-VR contract for specific area & disability group
Intensive services
Situational assessment
Job development
Job coaching
Extended Services
On-going follow along services are funded through OPWDD, OMH, or ACCES-VR

24. Job Placement Services
Assistance with choosing a job goal, resume development, interviewing skills and job search
On the Job Training
Work Try-Outs
Occupational tools & clothing (based on economic need and job requirement)

25. What services will be provided?
Only the services necessary to reach the job goal identified in the IPE are provided. These services are listed as part of the IPE.

26. Under the ACCES-VR program an individual has the right to:
Participate in the decision making process about his or her vocational program
Receive services in a timely manner
Receive services designed to assist in preparing for & finding employment
Confidential services
Appeal a decision made by ACCES-VR

27. Under the ACCES-VR program an individual has the responsibility to:
Participate in the decision making process about his or her vocational program
Maintain contact with ACCES-VR counselor
Provide required information in a timely manner
Contact the ACCES-VR counselor about changes in job goal or financial status
Contact the ACCES-VR counselor upon getting a job

28. Follow through with the steps in your plan, assess your progress, and keep your counselor informed of how you are doing.

29. When you get a job…. Contact ACCES-VR!
You will continue to work with your ACCES-VR counselor
To identify supports that you need to keep a job.
To plan how you will get these supports
To maintain contact with ACCES-VR for at least three months after you start your job.
Sometime post employment services can be provided
You can always apply for VESID again in the future if your situation changes and you are again in need of services

30. Transition Tips
ACCES-VR is a voluntary, adult service; you decide if you want it.
You have rights and responsibilities
Remember to apply to ACCES-VR before your last year of school – the process takes time!

31. EMPLOYMENT
Remember…
ACCES-VR Is All About Work!

32. ACCES-VR Transition Staff 2010-2011
Amy J Leifer Senior VRC
(518)
Veronica Nostramo VRC Assistant
(518)
Lynn Ricciardi VRC Assistant
(518)
Lisa Williams Keyboard Specialist
(518)

33. Abby Hout VRC – Cobleskill, Gilboa-Conesville, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Scotia-Glenville, Sharon Springs
(518)
Alexis Merrill VRC – Guilderland, Mohonasen, Niskayuna, Shaker, Shenendehowa
(518)
Bernard Mack VRC – Berkshire, Chatham, Columbia , New Lebanon, Taconic Hills, Troy (shared)
(518)

34. Deborah Gabrione VRC – Albany (shared), Averill Park, Berne-Knox, Cohoes, Lansingburgh, Ravena, Voorheesville
(518)
Ed Lessard VRC – Albany (shared), Charlton, LaSalle, Parsons (Neil Hellman School), Schalmont, Schenectady, School at Northeast, St Anne’s, Vanderheyden
(518)
Joseph Tedesco VRC – Berlin, Rensselaer HS
(518)

35. Kathleen McCartan VRC - Galway, Hoosic Valley, Saratoga Springs, Stillwater, Tamarac, Troy (shared),Waterford-Halfmoon
(518)
Kyle Ferris VRC - Germantown, Hudson, Ichabod Crane
(518)
Lindsay Pirozzi VRC – Cairo Durham, Catskill, Coxsackie-Athens, Greenville, Hunter-Tannersville, Windham-Ashland-Jewett
(518)
Mark Rubenstein VRC - Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake
(518)

36. Melissa Strauss VRC - Fort Edward, Hudson Falls
(518)
Pam Brehm-Bisaillon VRC – Argyle, Cambridge, Corinth, Fort Ann, Granville, Greenwich, Hartford, Hoosick Falls, Mechanicville, Salem, Schuylerville, South Glens Falls
(518)
Rich Myette VRC – Bolton, Glens Falls, Hadley-Luzerne, Johnsburg, Lake George, North Warren, Queensbury, Warrensburg, Whitehall
(518)

37. Salvatore Cerniglia VRC – Maple Hill (Schodack)
(518)
Sonam Ben Willow VRC – Bethlehem, Colonie Central, Duanesburg, Green Island, Scotia-Glenville, Watervliet
(518)
Vicki Starr VRC – Ballston Spa HS
(518)
End of show – press forward arrow to play again