State of Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or DVR for short Angela Gray, Rehabilitation Counselor Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Who Are We? ADVR helps Alaskans with disabilities obtain and maintain sustainable employment We are a State Agency - part of the Alaska Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development We Provide services throughout Alaska from five regions Anc-W; Anc-ER; MatSu-Kenai; Northern; SE Find DVR office serves your area: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/contact.htm

To assist individuals with disabilities to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN employment Mission The empowering value of employment in an individual’s life Honoring and respecting each individual’s strengths, skills, choices, abilities and cultural identity Developing strong partnerships with Tribal vocational rehabilitation programs, schools, job-centers and centers for independent living Delivering high quality vocational rehabilitation services Employing and developing highly qualified and skilled rehabilitation staff. The principles of stewardship in the use of public resources Principles

How does ADVR carry out our mission & principles? Assisting individuals with disabilities to successfully achieve, LONG-TERM, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT based on their abilities, strengths, interests, and capacities through an “informed choice” model. the process by which individuals participating in the VR program make educated decisions about their vocational goals

Examples of Disabilities Cognitive Disabilities – TBI, IDD/Intellectual Developmental Disabilities, Stroke, Mental Health Disabilities – Ex. Bi-Polar Disorder, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Personality Disorders, Substance Abuse Disorders, Physical Disabilities – para/quadripligia, herniated discs, DDD, DJD, MS, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, other physical disabilities effecting employment Sensory Disorders – blindness, deafness, hard-of-hearing, visually impaired

The impairment results in Has impairment Physical Mental The impairment results in a substantial impediment to employment VR Services are needed and are beneficial towards obtaining an employment outcome To prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment Consistent with the person’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, & informed choice Must meet ALL 3 criteria Determined by our Master’s level Certified Rehabilitation Counselors

Develop Individual Plan for Employment ADVR Process Orientation Application Intake Evaluate Eligibility (60 days) Develop Individual Plan for Employment (90 days) Provide Services (It depends) Employment (90 days follow-up) Successful Closure Also See Flow Chart

Participate in Trial Work Experience What if the significance of the person’s disability becomes an obstacle to receive employment? in a real work setting Max. 3; <3 weeks each Participate in Trial Work Experience Eligible for VR Services Success in Trial Work Help VRCs to better determine DVR services

What Services are Available? It depends… Services are individualized and are unique to both the client’s needs and the service needs of the identified employment goal. Services that are needed (not wanted) to obtain sustainable employment DVR is required to utilized comparable benefits when appropriate No services, other than services needed for accurate evaluation, can be offered without an identified employment goal. Many services are based on financial need

Referrals to DVR Consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs… DVR is a planning agency that helps eligible individuals with disabilities develop an individual plan of employment (IPE) and execute said plan. Individuals that are not having their short-term needs met such as safety, food, sleep, water, medical treatment, housing, etc. are not likely to be able to participate and focus on long-term planning which is required when working with DVR. Additionally, in general DVR is not able to support stopgap employment (unsustainable employment). If client’s need immediate employment, DVR is rarely a good fit due to eligibility and plan development timelines. Clients looking for immediate funding for training or education, again DVR is usually a poor fit given eligibility and plan development timelines. Additionally, all clients transitioning into a new career need to go through documentable career exploration in order to make an informed choice about their career. This is an ethical requirement to provide vocational counseling.

What a good referral may look like Referrals to DVR What a good referral may look like Client is engaged and stabilized on medical and/or mental health treatment and/or medication. Client has stable housing Client is open to career exploration Client is available to participate (this may include, but is not limited to multiple all day assessments and/or workshops) Client is able (medically, legally, and available (e.g. inpatient)) to participate in work right now Client is financially stable (has unsustainable employment, has financial benefits (SSI, SSDI, APA, etc.), receives assistance from family or friends, or receives assistance from an agency that covers living expenses)

Things clients may benefit from prior to applying to DVR Medical insurance Medical and/or mental health provider Medical release to work (if there are concerns whether or not the client can safely participate in a working environment)

Best way to make a referral Send your client to orientation with an ROI (Release of Information). If DVR has an ROI, DVR counselor’s can asked additional questions and referring agencies can contact DVR and find out the reasons for client’s next steps.

Orientation (Consider which office is most accessible to your client)

Questions?

Resources ADVR Website: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/home.htm ADVR Offices: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/office-listing.htm ADVR Policy: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/policy_temp.htm