State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Overview

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PL 93-112), as amended, provides funding to states to provide comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs for individuals with disabilities. Every state has a VR system and the goal of services delivered through this system is to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain and/or maintain employment.  To be eligible for VR services, an individual must have a disability that results in a substantial barrier to employment.  Additionally, there must be an expectation that VR services will assist the individual to obtain or maintain employment.  Priority for receiving services is given to those with the most significant disabilities when there are limited resources.   

State VR agencies offer a wide array of services to eligible individuals, including counseling; guidance and job placement services, vocational and other training, including higher education; and the purchase of tools, materials and books and technical assistance for those who are pursuing telecommuting, self-employment or small business operation.

Every client of VR services has a vocational rehabilitation counselor who helps the individual develop an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) that will lead to the person becoming employed.

How VR Can Assist AFI Grantees Working with Individuals with Disabilities

VR services are individualized and designed to focus on the unique strengths and skills of the person.  The mission of state VR programs is to assist individuals to become self-sufficient through employment or self-employment. This philosophy fits well with the individualized nature of asset development services and the desire to support people in becoming self-sufficient through acquiring assets. VR clients also have earned income that can be deposited into an IDA account. 

VR agencies can assist AFI grantees in variety of ways:

Information and Referral

VR agencies are familiar with the many of the organizations that provide support and services to individual with disabilities in a given state. VR staff can provide information about and connections to these disability organizations, as well as consultation on a variety of disability issues. For example, VR counselors have expertise in and can provide information and resources on assistive technology, accommodations, benefits planning, and advocacy.  VR agencies can provide referrals to local IDA projects

Shared Cases

With an IPE in place, the vocational rehabilitation counselor can purchase a wide range of services and items an individual may need to obtain or maintain employment or self-employment. It is possible to combine the VR funds with IDA funds in some cases, depending on the state VR agency rules.  For example, VR could pay for a certain items an individual needed to start a small business while IDA funds were used to pay for other start-up costs.  In addition, VR funds could be used to pay for a portion of post-secondary education costs with the IDA funds picking up any remaining expenses.  

Support in Understanding the Effect of IDAs on an Individual’s Benefits

Some, but not all VR agencies have professionals who understand Social Security or other state benefits and the effect of work and earnings on these benefits. AFI grantees can request VR staff to assist them in understanding the myriad rules and programs so that an individual does not jeopardize his or her benefits when participating in an IDA program.  VR counselors will also be familiar with other sources of benefits or work incentives counseling in the local area and will make referrals to these agencies as needed. 

Possible Match Funding

Some VR agencies understand the importance of asset development for their clients and are willing to put up some of the match for IDAs. For example, the Mississippi VR agency used their Innovation and Expansion dollars to support IDAs for transition-age students with disabilities. Similarly, the Washington VR agency used a portion of their Social Security Reimbursement dollars to support IDAs in two communities.

Education may be Necessary

Not all state VR agencies understand asset development and IDAs. AFI grantees may need to spend time educating state- and local-level VR staff about IDAs and how they can benefit VR clients. One place to start is talking to the Director of their state VR agency to determine how they can work together. 

Additional Information is Available

To access contact information for state VR agencies, go to:  http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902