1. Self-Determination………………
A Path to Success!
Robyn Stawski - Self Advocate
Rockne Lee - Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
Ryan Chandler - Waiver Support Coordinator
Denise Arnold – Moderator
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

2. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
Agenda for Today
Insights and experiences :
Robyn Stawski
Rockne Lee
Ryan Chandler
Questions and Answers
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

3. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

4. Flexibility and Self Direction
Services can change and evolve – dynamic process
Funding under iBudget waiver is flexible
You need to know the program rules and flexibility – ask questions and be persistent
Work closely with your WSC – you should work in partnership – the WSC works for you!
Know who to call at the regional office – ask for the “Waiver Work Stream Lead” or the “Regional Operations Manager”
Roby’s experience having to tell her boss of her need for surgery - gave a lot of notice and attached to availability for may so that her boss would not forget. Provide other examples of how a person can self advocate
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

5. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
Self Advocates
Explain how and what
explain what is going on inside your body
you are the one living it
explain or show what you mean
explain why it is important
Educate employers and providers on your needs and preferences – take responsibility for your part
Explain yourself and your circumstances –everyone is different!
Only one self advocacy slide
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

6. Rockne’s Perspective - VR
What is Vocational Rehabilitation?
VR is a Federal-State program that provides services to people with disabilities to help them obtain and maintain employment
Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is created for every client based on unique strengths, abilities, capabilities, skills, and interests
Program Steps: (1) Initial Intake, (2) Eligibility, (3) Rehabilitation Planning, (4) Service Provision, (5) Job Placement, (6) Job Retention & Closure
iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

7. VR Services – Primary Services
Career counseling
Rehabilitation counseling
Work experience while in high school
Medical and psychological assessments
Vocational evaluation and planning
Training and education after high school
Job site assessment and accommodations
Auxiliary aids and devices
Job placement and job retention support
Community referrals
iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

8. VR Services – Secondary Support Services
Time-limited medical or psychological treatment
Transportation assistance
Rehabilitation technology and devices
Orthotics and prosthetics
Mobility aids
iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

9. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
VR Discovery Program
Creative strategy and assessment tool designed to determine the strengths, needs, and interests of people with the most significant and complex disabilities
Discovery provides hours of direct service time and requires an average of 4-14 weeks to complete
Incorporates interviews with the individual, family members, and advocates
Discovery providers observe the individual in the home and in a variety of community settings
Overall goal is to capture strengths, abilities, and interests that a traditional paper-and-pencil assessment may not identify
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

10. On-The-Job Training Program
Opportunity for people with disabilities to receive a temporary work assignment, interact with employees who do not have disabilities, receive payment of no less than minimum wage, and gain valuable work experience
Average length of an OJT ranges from six to eight weeks and is based on employer needs, difficulty of the job, etc.
Similar to a paid internship
Possibility to receive a job offer at the end of the OJT, although employers are not required to retain permanent employment, as it is considered a short-term training program
VR provides reimbursement to the employer for all wages and taxes paid to the customer throughout the OJT
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

11. iBudget Florida - Family Cafe
3/07/2012
iBudget Florida - Family Cafe

12. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
Robyn’s Perspective
How have I used the iBudget flexibility?
What qualities are important in a service provider? What are the keys to finding and keeping good providers?
How do I engage my employer in understanding accommodations I may need?
How to be a “do-er” and not a bystander
Learning to do for yourself – taking the fall
Making a move and exploring the options
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

13. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
Ryan’s Perspective
What is my role as a WSC? What do I need to hear from the person I serve?
What flexibility in the iBudget has done for those I support?
How do you “work the system” to get what is needed for an individual?
What’s works to get things moving along with VR and others…
How do I get self advocates involved in the decision making?
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

14. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION!
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

15. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
Let's Not Forget…..
iBudget - flexibility with budgeting
Self-advocacy – your words matter
Working with VR and APD is real
How WSC can help you
Know the rules of the program
Think ‘outside the box”
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

16. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017
APD Resources for You
iBudget Florida
Website: ibudgetflorida.org OR
Contact us
Resource Directory
3/07/2012
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017

17. APD – Getting Connected
Family Care Council
Florida Self Advocacy Networked (FLSAND)
Subscribe to APD news
iBudget Florida - Family Café 2017