HANDBOOK OF SERVICES

DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

This handbook tells you about vocational rehabilitation services.  With this information, you will be able to take an active part in creating your personal employment plan.  Keep this booklet handy so you can refer to it at any time.  If you have questions, your counselor is always willing to answer them.

PURPOSE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides services for eligible persons with physical or mental impairments.  These services are designed to enable you to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.

ELIGIBILITY 

Eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services is based only upon:

A.  the presence of a physical or mental impairment;

B.  which, for the individual, constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from VR services, and

C.  requires VR services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.

An eligibility decision is to be determined within 60 days unless circumstances prevent such a decision or you are involved in a trial work experience.

If you are receiving SSDI or SSI for your disability you are eligible for VR services if you intend to secure employment.

INFORMED CHOICE

Every person applying for VR services is assigned a counselor who understands disabilities and how they affect employment.  The relationship between you and your VR counselor is an important one.  Vocational Rehabilitation involves making choices about your employment outcome, services to reach your employment and who will provide these services.  You share responsibility with your counselor in identifying options and exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each option.  Your choice of employment outcome must be consistent with your unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interest.  Specific vocational rehabilitation services must be needed to achieve the employment outcome.  Please ask questions as you work with your counselor so that you can understand every available option to make informed choices about your employment plan.  You will be the focus of the process.

STEPS TO REHABILITATION

The rehabilitation process involves a series of steps that will assist you to prepare for, obtain, and keep a job which is based on your interests and abilities.  These are:

Step One:  Applying for Services

Any person living in Florida who has a physical or mental impairment and is of (or approaching) working age may apply for rehabilitation services by contacting the nearest VR office for an appointment.  You may call 1-800-451-4327 to obtain the phone number and address of the VR office closest to you.

Step Two: Evaluation

Your counselor is interested in finding out what is preventing you from getting a job and what you need to go to work.  Any medical, educational, or other reports you have would be helpful in this process.  If current information is not available, your VR counselor will help you choose the providers of any necessary evaluations at no cost to you.  The evaluation will indicate whether there is treatment or other forms of assistance which will support your efforts to obtain employment.

Step Three:  Rehabilitation Planning

Once you are eligible for VR services, your counselor will work with you to develop a plan called the Individualized Plan for Employment, or IPE.  Your IPE will include your chosen goal and the VR services that you will receive.  A signed copy of the IPE will be give to you for your records.  If you choose to develop your own plan, your counselor will provide you written information on developing an IPE.  This information will include the required parts of the IPE and the options available to you for developing your plan.  Your counselor is available to assist you in developing all or part of your IPE.  Your plan must be agreed to and signed by you and your counselor.

Step Four: Receipt of Services

VR can help you overcome or manage you disability while improving your ability to obtain and keep a job.  Various types of services can be provided, depending on your needs.  Medical or psychological treatment services may be provided on a short-term basis to help you reach your employment outcome.  Artificial limbs, hearing aids, wheelchairs, rehabilitation workshops, technical or trade school training, college training and even on-the-job training are other options of services you may need.  The type of services and the setting you choose will be one of the most important decisions you may make during your planned program.  This is a decision made by you and your counselor based on your needs, abilities, and the types of services available in your community.

Step Five: Job Placement

When you are ready for employment, your VR counselor will assist you with finding job openings in your community.  He or she can give you ideas and advice on filling out applications and interviewing for particular jobs and, with your approval, work with an employer to modify the job site and provide assistive devices to accommodate your needs.  After you begin work, your VR counselor will want to make sure that you and your employer are satisfied and to determine if other services are needed to keep you working.

Step Six: Closure

After you have worked successfully at your job for at least 90 days, you and your VR counselor will discuss ending the counselor's active participation in you rehabilitation.  Before doing that, however, it must be determined that you no longer need VR services.  Should your situation change and you believe you need additional assistance to maintain your job, you may be provided post employment services without the need to reapply.  If it is necessary to re-evaluate your situation, you may reapply for services.

OTHER SERVICES

VR offers various other services which might be needed to assist you in your rehabilitation.  Based on your impairment and your vocational goal, you may require one or more of the following services:

Transportation and vehicle modification - the most economical modes of transportation will be used for securing your rehabilitation services and occupational goals.

Books, occupational tools, equipment and other training material.

Occupational licenses.

Rehabilitation technology to assist in your evaluation, rehabilitation, and employment goal.

Maintenance to cover additional costs incurred by the rehabilitation process.

Interpreter services, telecommunications, and other technological aids.

Referral services to appropriate community agencies.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

It is your responsibility to:

1.    Participate in developing your IPE by making your choices, needs, and interests known to your VR counselor.  If at any time, you find that your program needs change, discuss this with your VR counselor.

2.    Make every effort to seek additional sources of funding for your rehabilitation.  Come possible sources are Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid, other insurance, public assistance, and educational grants.

3.    Do your best to be on time and follow through with all appointments.  If this is not possible, you should notify your VR counselor's office so that your appointment can be changed.

4.    Fulfill your obligations as outlined in your IPE.

YOUR RIGHTS

As a Vocational Rehabilitation consumer, you have certain rights which are as follows:

Confidentiality

Florida law allows the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to obtain medical and/or psychological information from doctors and other professionals with your written permission.  This information is requested only to assist your counselor in determining your eligibility and which vocational rehabilitation services are necessary for your employment.  All information discussed with and given to your Vocational Rehabilitation counselor is confidential.  VR will discuss or release information about you only with your written consent, as required by law or under the following circumstances:

VR may release records to the Social Security Administration and the Office of Disability Determination.

VR may release records to service providers as necessary to provide vocational rehabilitation services to you.

VR may release records to other Florida government agencies and legislative members who have requested information in the performance of official duties.

VR is legally required to report declared intention to harm self, others, or property.

VR is legally required to release information in response to investigations by local, state, or federal authorities and investigations or fraud or abuse.

VR is legally required to release information as necessary to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a child.

VR may discuss information regarding your rehabilitation services with the Client Assistance Program (CAP) when you have requested assistance from CAP.

Non-Discrimination

Vocational Rehabilitation services are planned to fit the needs of each person.  VR will not discriminate on the basis of:

sex                        marital status

age                        religion

race                       political affiliation

disability               national origin

color

If you feel you have been discriminated against by VR in any of the areas listed above, you should contact the division's Equal Employment Opportunity Officer in Tallahassee at (850) 488-6925 or (800) 451-4327, or the Office of Civil Rights and Minority Affairs at (850) 488-5905.

APPEALS

You have the right to appeal when you do not agree with a decision, or if a problem should arise which you are unable to resolve with your counselor.  We suggest and encourage you to express your concern first to your VR counselor or to a VR supervisor who can resolve most problems that arise.  If a discussion with your counselor or your counselor's supervisor does not resolve your concern, you may contact a VR representative at 1-800-451-4327.

If you do not agree with any counselor decision, you have the right to request an appeal.  You have 21 days after receiving written notification of the decision to appeal by writing to the District Director to request an Administrative Review.  If you are not satisfied after the Administrative Review or wish to skip this step, you may request a Fair Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge.  You have 21 days after receiving written notification of the decision to request a Fair Hearing.

To request a Fair Hearing, you must write to:

State Director

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Building A

2002 Old St. Augustine Road

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0696

When writing for an Administrative Review of Fair Hearing, you should attach a copy of the decision letter from your counselor that you disagree with.  Also, include what remedy you seek to solve the problem.

If you request a Fair Hearing, mediation may be available.  If you wish to attempt to resolve your Fair Hearing through mediation, please say so in your letter requesting a Fair Hearing.  If the mediation is not successful the Fair Hearing process will continue.

If you need advice, assistance or an explanation of your rights, you may contact the Client Assistance Program.

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP)

The CAP, Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, Inc., was established to help with any problems related to services provided by VR.  The address and phone number shown below are the Client Assistance Program office.

Tallahassee Client Assistance Program

Webster Building-Suite 100

2671 Executive Center Circle, West

Tallahassee, Florida 32301-5092

Phone: (850) 488-9071

FAX: (850) 488-8640

Toll-Free numbers: 1-800-342-0823 (voice)

1-800-346-4127 (TTY)

This Handbook of Services from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation tells you about vocational rehabilitation services.  You and your VR counselor will review the information in the handbook when you apply for vocational rehabilitation services.  After review and discussion of the information in this handbook, your VR counselor will ask you to sign this card and return it to acknowledge you have received it and understand the information in it.  Please ask any questions you may have during this session.

Acknowledgement

I have receive a copy of the Handbook of Services from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and have reviewed the handbook with my VR counselor.  I understand my rights of confidentiality, to appeal decisions made by my VR counselor and to make informed choices about my vocational rehabilitation process.  I also understand I have the responsibility to participate in my vocational rehabilitation process.

Customer's Signature                                         Date                         

(May 1999)

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security

Building A

2002 Old St. Augustine Road

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0696

(850) 488-8350 (voice and TTY)

(800) 451-4327 (voice and TTY)